There are many different ways you can make a gas mask, and deciding which method to use can be difficult. However, it's helpful to understand the basic process and purpose behind making and wearing a gas mask:

PRINCIPLES OF BUILDING A SOUND GAS MASK
As such, a gas mask is something that filters out the toxins in the air by employing the principle of adsorption and the principle of safety. The store bought items have these features, and some of the most proficient ones are better when it comes to adsorption and safety, because they can filter more foreign substances and be more effective even in increasingly toxic environments.

On the other hand, DIY gas masks are just improvised items, and given the fact that you don’t have topnotch materials or last generation tools at your disposal to make sure that everything is air-tight and functioning without fault, you may encounter issues when it comes to both adsorption and safety.

That being said, a quick analysis of these two key principles will help you understand how to craft a better homemade gas mask.

ADSORPTION
There is an important difference between absorption and adsorption. The first term refers to the process of encapsulating a substance, while adsorption refers to depositing a certain substance on a surface. In other words, you don’t want your gas mask to be absorbent, but adsorbent, which means it being capable of filtering out all sorts of dangerous particles and gases which might otherwise get stuck in your nose or lungs, and damage your respiratory system, rendering you unconscious.

Adsorption can be increased with the proper chemical reactions, keeping in mind that some substances interact and repel or attract each other. As such, if the air particles you want to counteract have a positive charge, you should use a substrate with a negative charge for your gas mask, like activated carbon or zeolites. The efficiency of this principle has already been confirmed even in the most usual situations: in case of fire, it is well know that covering your mouth and nose with a moist cloth is a good idea.

Conversely, this principle works only when it comes to particles that are a direct result of combustion, like fire or an explosion, but it doesn’t work as well when it comes to toxic gases or airborne pathogens.

SAFETY
Absorption also has an important role in the construction of a gas mask, because the filter doesn’t only have to separate the dangerous substances from the air, but it has to retain them. So if the filter isn’t very absorbent, the durability and resistance of your gas mask may be compromised.

As such, if the filter can’t take in anymore particles or dangerous chemicals, it won’t protect you anymore, which means it will be the same thing as having no mask at all. That’s why it’s wise to have some sort of sealing cap put over the air filter in order to prevent damage. But age, moisture and heat are also factors to take into account when it comes to the safety of your gas mask, since they change the chemical composition of the filter.

For example, you may build a gas mask today and not need to use it for a few years. But even if you haven’t used it at all until then, it may still become damaged because of the above listed factors. So it’s better to check the functionality of your gas mask, as not to risk it becoming totally useless. Even the older military gas masks degrade over time, so don’t count on the efficiency of a very old item, which maybe hasn’t been kept in the best conditions, because it can put your life in jeopardy instead of saving you.

Besides, it’s always best to keep up to date with news regarding dangerous substances, since scientific discoveries are constantly being done, and a substance that was considered safe a few decades ago might be proven dangerous today. It’s the case of blue asbestos which was introduced in the filters of gas masks used in World War II, about which we now know it’s dangerous and can lead to lung cancer. Moreover chromium is another substance that can lead to cancer.

So even if you don’t make your own gas mask and buy one from the store, or buy just a filter to replace the old one, it’s best to check if it doesn’t contain asbestos or other hazardous substance. However, even if that may not be the case, some gas masks for instance may use rubber in their construction, which although it isn’t dangerous in itself, will become damaged during time. That can lead to the appearance of cracks and leaks, making your gas masks totally unusable.

There is one more thing that can mess with the safety of your gas mask, especially if it’s a standard one: your facial hair. That’s because it makes it less air tight, no matter how long or short your facial hair is.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A GAS MASK?
Bad things happen to good people all the time and today’s world is not free of different natural or man-made disasters, when hazardous substances are produced or used, such as:

A fire. Dust and ash can easily get stuck in your nose and lungs, causing you to faint before getting to safety.
An earthquake. Fires are more likely to happen during an earthquake, but you may also find yourself immobilized with a lot of dust around you from the collapsing of your office building or home. Having a gas mask handy may save your life.
Terrorist bombings. In Iraq 2007, a group of terrorist bombers used chlorine gas in their attacks, which managed to wound a few hundred people. Who says that can’t happen to us? Even if some gases are not necessary lethal, they can make you pretty sick. Otherwise, it’s better to be safe than sorry and be prepared.
Riots. CS gas and tear gas are often used to deter rioters from continuing their actions, and if you get stuck in the middle and unfortunately have asthma or other lung affections, these gases can become lethal for you.
All these circumstances require something to keep your respiratory system protected in various emergency situations when air contamination occurs because of:

Smoke
Particulates
Infectious agents.
Airborne diseases.
Chemicals
But you can use a gas mask even in more pacific conditions, like when you need to paint your garage door.

Have you ever made a gas mask? What method did you use? Do you think this is something every Prepper should have in their emergency kit? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Article Source: Survival Mastery