General Question

XOIIO's avatar

Buy gas masks like this?

Asked by XOIIO (18328points) February 5th, 2012

I’m looking for this style gas mask, but this one is fairly expensive, but pretty much perfect with the look/style I want, but are there any like this that have build in LEDs, kindof like the biohazard suits most movies have?

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10 Answers

Buttonstc's avatar

I doubt you’ll find authenticity AND low cost as well. But if you just want the look and don’t really care at all if it actually works to protect from toxic exposure, you can try all types of Halloween costume shops.

You could also cross your fingers and hope to stumble upon one in a thrift shop like Salvation Army, etc but I doubt it would be in decent condition. If they ever got any quality ones donated, they could make far better money selling them to a military surplus store rather than to the general public.

But your best source is any Army/Navy Surplus store or website.

But it won’t be cheap because most people buying one are doing so for protection in emergency situations. Functionality is VERY important to them.

But there are tons of military surplus businesses so that’s not going to be too difficult.

Don’t they have small LED lights that kids use for modding their bikes in your area?

I’ve also seen them used for DIY computer setups.

The bike ones attach easily with some type of self stick glue or double side tape so you could do that part yourself easily.

ratboy's avatar

I can’t vouch for the quality of this model.

mrrich724's avatar

You can find tons of gas masks on amazon. All legit and good quality. But if you want a fullface viewer like that, I’ve never seen one under a buck 50.

Keep in mind, if you want this for fun, any of the ones on amazon are ok, but if you want this for TEOTWAWKI type scenarios, the one’s on amazon are old surplus, and while they are in new condition, finding the cans that attach in good condition (ie not expired or expiring in the next couple years) it’s much more difficult.

Also the masks are cheap, but the replacement filters are not.

But teh fact that you want LED’s on it leads me to believe you aren’t worried about all the seriousness.

XOIIO's avatar

@mrrich724 Well it would be nice if it was functional too, I juat figured if it had build in lighing it would be cool.

gasman's avatar

@XOIIO I think in the movies the biohazard helmets have built-in lighting because they want to show the actor’s faces. In reality such lighting would cause blinding glare to the wearer & serve no purpose other than to make your face visible to others.

You could custom fit LEDs into the inside of any helmet because they can be very small & bright & allow for thin wires, but there might still be a problem making room for batteries or external power cable.

Btw, Dräger is also a major manufacturer of anesthesia equipment.

XOIIO's avatar

@gasman Well, I guess I’ll buy this one at some point.

HungryGuy's avatar

Are you making a costume, or need a real gas mask?

XOIIO's avatar

@HungryGuy Well I want a real one, I don’t need it but I want one XD Same thing for a geiger counter.

HungryGuy's avatar

Well, here is a site that sells real gas masks and safety equipment—> http://approvedgasmasks.com/ They also have a page for radiation detectors (I don’t think they’re called “Geiger Counters” any more). Supposedly, they’re approved by the Israeli government for Israeli citizens.

But the one in your question is basically the same thing and does look like it has good visibility…important when trying to escape from inside a crashed plane or something (you do realize that a filter canister screws into that hole at the mouth, right?).

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