Gas Masks For The Prepper
- Contingency Preps
- Nov 1, 2016
- 4 min read
As a Prepper; everything we do is a compromise between potential threat and impact on our budget, and a new prepper can become quickly overwhelmed with all of the potential options.
For example; does he really need another tactical rifle, or does he need the beans, bullets, and bandages that the $1200 price-tag could otherwise be spent on?
With that in mind, I would like to discuss one of the recent Prepper decisions that I made; that of purchasing a gas mask.
I did not approach this without a bit of experience. To give you some background; I received NBC training in the Marine Corps, am Certified as Radiation Worker I&II by the Department of Energy, and was assigned to test Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) protective gear for SWAT applications.
Do Preppers need gas masks?
A gas mask provides basic protection against Chemical Weapons, Biological Agents, and Radiological Fallout.
The operative word here is; “basic”. That mask needs to be combined with protocols and additional (improvised) equipment to be used to its full potential.
We live in an age where our adversaries are striving to develop and use Chemical Weapons, or Dirty Bombs against us, and the possibility of worldwide pandemic is more prevalent than ever with the ease and speed of international travel that we have today.
On the less lethal side; having a gas mask protects against riot control agents, either deployed against you, or by you.
What type of a gas mask should I buy?
Again; you need to weigh the threat against the impact on your budget. A high-end tactical mask can set you back as much as $1100, which is a lot of beans, bullets and bandages.
You need a mask that provides the protection against the threat, is easy to store, maintain and use, and one that will not break the bank.
Gas masks come in two basic types; those with internal filters, and those with external filters.
External filtered gas masks are the type with a; “can” attached to the outside. These are good with respect to changing filters out in a contaminated environment, yet the filter is also easily damaged, and can interfere with performance.
Internal filtered gas masks make it impossible to change out filters in a contaminated environment, and also present operational challenges (Obtaining a stock weld), yet tend to be lower priced than the external filter masks.
After a great deal of deliberation; I chose the Czech OM-10 Gas mask.
The OM-10 is a solidly constructed, inexpensive gas mask, inspired by the US M-17A1.
I use the term; “inspired”, as it is quite similar overall, with some filter interchangeability, yet has a differently designed exhalation valve.
The Czechs have excellent quality control within their armament industry, with a history going back to the 1930’s.
The mask has a voice-emitter similar to the M-17A1 which allows for communications, and is available with or without the drinking tube.
The drinking tube enables the user to drink from a GI NBC Canteen Cap, or from a Camelback, with a special attachment available from Camelback.
Another important feature for me was the fact that the mask comes equipped with a gas mask bag, and lens covers. The lens covers are vital, as scratched or cracked lenses would make the mask unusable.
What about “Shelf Life”?
I have not found reliable information regarding shelf life of the mask or filters, but I do know that keeping them in a dry, temperature controlled environment, and conducting period checks of the mask rubber and elasticity of the straps should give you a decade or so of usability.
While on this subject, it is important to discuss filters. These masks come with a general type of filter, useful for riot control agents, fall-out particulate, and airborne pathogens. An additional filter is available, recognizable by the green printing on the foil wrapper, which is the full NBC filter, providing protection against chemical weapons.
I keep the general filters installed in my mask, and keep the NBC filters in their original wrapper, but handy.
Tips and “Protocols and additional equipment”
If you wear a beard; you will not be able to get a tight seal with your gas mask. On the bright side though; a pair of battery powered clippers kept handy, will trim you up perfectly, in a matter of minutes.
I have tested this mask on several adults, and on a couple of children as young as 11. All were able to get a tight seal. A younger child will need a different mask though (I recommend the Israeli children’s mask).
If you wear glasses, you will not be able to wear them with the mask. The good news is that surplus gas mask eyeglass inserts sell for as little as $4 on the internet. Of course you will need to get lenses put in on your own.
I mentioned earlier; “Protocols and equipment”. This mask provides basic protection, as we discussed, but will not protect you from chemical agents that are absorbed by or affect the skin. An example of this is Mustard Gas, which is a blister agent. To protect against this, it is necessary to also wear a protective suit.
Surplus Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) Gear is available for purchase online, but most of what you find is outdated (Shelf life is important on these suits). You can also purchase a top of the line CBRN suit for about $1400, but that does not quite fit most of our budgets.
The good news is; there are work arounds: The older MOPP Gear was designed for operating in a battlefield chemical environment in Western Europe at the height of the cold war, and the newer CBRN gear was designed for operating in a shorter term response mode to a chemical attack. You will not have to do either.
A Tyvek painter’s suit, some chemical gloves from a hardware store, and a good pair of rubber boots all taped up with blue painter’s tape will protect you against most of the hazards that you may encounter. If you need to cross rough terrain, or work outside for extended periods, this can be augmented with an old fashioned GI Poncho or rain suit.
OM-10 for you:
The OM-10 is a useful, affordable Prepper tool, which should be included in everyone’s preps.
The best thing about the OM-10?
The OM-10 is available from HTF - The Survival Store, and retails for about $30, with extra NBC filters available for $5.
Please check out my video on the OM-10:
Stay Safe.
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