Increase your chances of surviving chemical attacks

In today’s day and age you have no idea what will happen, meaning when you will be faced with a survival situation or what kind of survival situation it will be, from home defense to a full blown invasion there can be so many things you are faced with. There is conflict erupting all over the world such as Ukraine and in the Middle East. There is even civil unrest within the United States, and things seem to be getting worse and worse. That being said, being fully prepared for any situation is key, and having a full checklist of gear is crucial. Aside from things like your standard survival rifle, a trustworthy sidearm, and of course, a gas mask. That's right, your survival bag should absolutely include a gas mask, but this is something that many people ignore.

Chemical warfare is not something that is new, but it comes in many shapes and sizes and can happen at any time. From surviving smoke grenades or pepper spray all the way to more serious hazards, a gas mask can come in handy. Let’s break down what a gas mask is and exactly how to use a gas mask.

What is a Gas Mask?

A gas mask is a breathing device that is designed to protect the wearer against harmful substances in the air, whether that be some form of smoke or some sort of chemical designed to harm individuals. A standard gas mask will tend to consist of a tight-fitting facepiece (so nothing can get in) that contains filters, an exhalation valve, and transparent eyepieces so the wearer can see.

A gas mask often is held to the face by straps, oftentimes that can be adjusted, and can be worn in association with a protective hood to truly keep out any harmful airborne substances. The filter elements that can be found in the cheeks of the mask will remove contaminants from the air that is breathed in through the mask by the wearer. The filters (which can be replaced) will clean the air but do not add oxygen to it. Some masks are connected by a hose to a separate tank of oxygen, which delivers fresh oxygen to the wearer, but with a gas mask this is not the case.

Commonly, the filters will utilize fiber screens to filter out finely divided solid particles and chemical compounds (to capture or chemically alter poisonous gasses in the air and stop the wearer from breathing them in). Sometimes, filters will use charcoal to do this, as charcoal absorbs and holds a fairly large volume of poisonous gasses.

How to Use a Gas Mask

Once you have selected your gas mask and realize that you are in need of using it, there are a few basic steps to utilizing it.

Identify the components and make sure there is no damage.
Insert the filter into the gas mask port
Close your eyes and hold your breath
Exhale as you are putting the mask on and pull the harness over the back of your head
Adjust the straps to the tightness you want
Cover the filters and inhale, and if the mask pulls in tight and you cannot breathe in anymore air, the seal is tight enough

Who Uses Gas Masks?

Gas masks are widely used by the world’s armed forces and law enforcement organizations, however they are becoming more and more popular amongst the civilian market. Gas masks that military units employ typically are constructed with the idea of counteracting those chemicals that are thought most likely to be used in wartime, meaning they may be more advanced than what you see in your local surplus store.

One thing worth noting is that gas masks are effective only against those chemical-warfare agents that are dispersed as true gasses and are injurious when breathed in. One example of a harmful chemical agent is mustard gas that is dispersed in liquid form and attacks the body through the skin surface. In this example, a single gas mask would not do the job and you would need the use of special protective clothing in addition to gas masks.

Pros and Cons of Gas masks

While gas masks are certainly beneficial as a whole, they definitely have their pros and cons. Obviously, the pros are that gas masks can help with breathing during unsafe conditions such as smoky areas and if the situation of a chemical attack ever occurs.

As far as the cons, there are a few to name. Although it is possible to design filtering devices that will neutralize almost any specific toxic substance in the air, it is impossible to combine in one mask protection against all toxic substances, so you are not 100% protected. Another con is that they limit your field of view and can make things a bit more difficult when you are looking through an optic or trying to look through something like an LPVO during long range shooting.

Something else to mention is that with gas masks is that if you are wearing a tactical helmet or trying to utilize other pieces of equipment like night vision goggles, it may be difficult to fit that all on. Some gas masks also have difficulty with impact, meaning if they get hit too hard they may break the seal. That being said, try to avoid getting hit with anything, and keep your rifle recoil under control, because even that kickback could be detrimental.

That being said, you need to find a gas mask that truly does what it is supposed to, and can help you maneuver flawlessly but still offers good protection from harmful airborne particles.

MIRA Safety CM-8M Gas Mask

Our favorite gas mask is the MIRA Safety CM-8M, and there are a lot of reasons why. For one, the package of the MIRA Safety CM-8M gas mask contains everything you need to get started with personal protective equipment. Aside from the CM-8M gas mask itself, which is the main component of the package, the gas mask features a speech diaphragm, ensuring clear communication even in emergency situations, something that is crucial in a high stress environment. Aside from that, the mask comes with spots where you can place two filter cartridges, providing defense against a wide range of attacks.

The gas mask also is compatible with the MiraVision spectacle kit, which offers eye relief and impact protection, something that can be very useful in a combat scenario. Another notable inclusion in the package is the hydration system, ensuring the user is always able to get hydrated.

Finally, the package contains a user manual, so you are not left in the dark when it comes to how to use the gas mask or what for. The manual helps with guiding the user on the proper use of the gas mask, especially in emergency situations, as knowing how to use it under high pressure can be the difference between life and death.

Buy the Mira Safety CM-8M

Personal Gas Mask Experiences

The team at Core Vision would not just suggest a gas mask without testing it ourselves, and when trying out the MIRA Safety CM-8M gas mask, we found no issues with comfort or wearing it for long periods of time. You never know how long you will be stuck wearing one of these when the time comes, and that being said one of the most important aspects of a gas mask is its fit and comfort.

The CM-8M provides a tight seal, but is comfortable, ensuring proper functioning and great maneuverability in all types of emergency situations. For example, the gas mask’s impact protection feature makes it suitable for riot control situations where things may be thrown at you, while its wide range of features and protective gear make it perfect for other situations like fires or chemical warfare. Aside from that, another thing we want to point out is the gas mask’s user-friendly design, combined with its tight seal, provides a tactical advantage in CBRN protection.

The mask also provides a clear field of view, so when you need to see, you can easily maneuver. Whether you are navigating close quarters or off the grid hiking for miles, you can see clearly with this mask. If you need a little reassurance on how good the CM-8M is, the gas mask bears the CE symbol, guaranteeing compliance with European standards for personal protective equipment.

Check out the full our personal experiences with MIRA safety here here!

Wrap Up

Overall, gas masks are pieces of equipment that should always be included in your equipment checklist. A gas mask is something that must be well-designed and constructed to provide the necessary protection in emergency situations. The MIRA Safety CM-8M gas mask meets these criteria, with its high-quality materials and attention to detail.

That being said, do you have a gas mask? And if so, do you know how to use it?

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