GAS!!!GAS!!!!GAS!!!

[BCO30]

I have to bring the subject up since its in the news. I bet 1300-1400+/- a few Syrians would have liked to have had some type of gas mask nearby to have a least a fighting chance against some type of nerve gas attack.

Its gruesome and horrible but here we are.

Some say gas masks are a waste of money and effort. But like I said here we are. Could something like this be used in the U.S...you bet why couldn't it?. And even if you live outside a big city if the city is attacked and you happen to live on the outskirts in your "safe" community you can still be affected via wind currents etc.

What are some thoughts opinions in the preparation community on respirators/gas masks, etc. types, training, preparation, shelf life-a lot of surplus crap on the market.

Thanks.

[Mac5.56]

I have masks to deal with CS gas in both vehicles and at my house.

I know all the employees that work for congressman were issued gas masks after 9-11, don't know if they all still have them but the guy I know has his with him at all times.

All of my friends in the military have their masks on them at all times.

It only takes getting CS gas to the face once to realize that it will **** your day up if you're not prepared for it. Not to mention his more lethal family members.

In all honesty though you are more likely to experience a non lethal chemical attack in this country then a lethal one.

[rickmy]

I make my living getting secondary exposure to CS. Had an hours worth this morning. I also help run a gas house once or twice a year and have seen an approximate mask failure rate of 60% with our department issued masks. The issue is worn out o-ring on the mask filter and ill fitting masks. I wouldn't trust my ass to a surplus masks or filters. Luckily, on my priority lists of civilians hazards in the US I feel like a gas attack is extremely low probability, especially in my home. Where there is a heightened threat, sports events, festivals, public transportation it is not feasible to edc a mask. And.....CS isn't all that bad, it's great for allergies.

[EricTheRed]

I'd think in addition to the equipment concerns noted above, it would also depend on the agent used. Nerve gas only has to touch your skin, so a mask doesn't really do you much good without all the MOPP gear to go along with it. For CS or other inhaled agents, yeah, it could be a bonus, I just see that as way down on my list of threats.

[Caduceus]

I'd think in addition to the equipment concerns noted above, it would also depend on the agent used. Nerve gas only has to touch your skin, so a mask doesn't really do you much good without all the MOPP gear to go along with it. For CS or other inhaled agents, yeah, it could be a bonus, I just see that as way down on my list of threats.

Not to mention ot has to be with you literally 24/7 to be of use. Not in your house, your BOB, your GHB, etc. Plus costof replacing parts as they expire. And, oh yeah, how do you plan to swap filters if still in the hot zone? Whats your decontamination plan? How are you going to deal with waste from decontamination?

[jwfuhrman]

And.....CS isn't all that bad, it's great for allergies.

I literally just spit coffee everywhere

[Jeffro2912]

I make my living getting secondary exposure to CS. Had an hours worth this morning. I also help run a gas house once or twice a year and have seen an approximate mask failure rate of 60% with our department issued masks. The issue is worn out o-ring on the mask filter and ill fitting masks. I wouldn't trust my ass to a surplus masks or filters. Luckily, on my priority lists of civilians hazards in the US I feel like a gas attack is extremely low probability, especially in my home. Where there is a heightened threat, sports events, festivals, public transportation it is not feasible to edc a mask. And.....CS isn't all that bad, it's great for allergies.

I too get a regular dose of CS exposure, once every two months or so, but being the instructor has it's perks I completely concur with your statement above about surplus masks, stay away if you actually want it for more than novelty. Go ahead and purchase something quality if you're going to do it, but be prepared for regular maintenance checks as they do wear out. I also agree that the threat of a chemical attack is low, especially something along the lines of CS, with ricin or sarin being more likely as those have been employed within the last decade or so. As far as CS not being that bad...well, It's not something I wanna be exposed to unmasked for long.

[Mac5.56]

I also agree that the threat of a chemical attack is low, especially something along the lines of CS, with ricin or sarin being more likely as those have been employed within the last decade or so.

I would disagree. You are much more likely as a U.S. citizen to be subjected to CS gas in a police action then you are to be hit with a deadly chemical agent.

In the case of an emergency evac of a city where you are caught in the middle of a riot or public event gone crazy? What chemical weapon will be deployed?

If you live in a city where there are riots taking place and your bugging in or traveling home to your family. What chemical weapon will be deployed.

If you're fed up with your lazy ass corrupt politicians and you decide to go a public gathering that said politicians don't want to take place... What chemical weapon will be deployed?

One anecdote I have is from my college years when there was one of those stupid college party riots that flare up from time to time. Well I happened to go to college in a town with a police force that was very "effective?" at breaking up social demonstrations. The solution for this particular party riot? Enough CS to cause all the tenants in the buildings within several to have problems.

I know this may not be a popular thing to say around here, but in the event of an emergency the local LEO will pose a greater chemical weapon threat to an individual then some third world nation's dictator. If an actual nerve agent is deployed in this country it will be an act of terror that even those people carrying masks wont have the time to respond to.

My philosophy with my masks is to limit exposure to an irritant long enough to remove myself from the environment safely and comfortably enough to asses the situation.

[alienb1212]

I guess I am lucky that CS does not seem to affect me as badly as a lot of the other folks that are exposed to it.

I have a single military issue mask, I'd give it to the wife. Probably should invest in another at some point but CS from most of it's delivery methods is fairly easy to avoid. I don't see myself taking part in some kind of riot, and if "they" are using it to raid my house I'm probably dead anyway.



The wife and myself made the decision a while ago that while we both have full MOPP suits and enough replacements to last a few months, living in a post-nuclear world is most likely not worth living in.

Probably the only reason I would carry it in my vehicle would be to prevent myself from becoming like that LEO back in the early 00's who went to help the (already dead) people involved in an ammonia-truck accident, who ended up succumbing to it himself. (RIP my friend)

I guess a good promask is something good to have around, but not what I would consider a prime bit of kit worthy of carrying with you everywhere.

[The_War_Wagon]

Obama: the kinder, gentler, warrior...