Whether you want to defend yourself from the apocalypse or the tear gas used by the police, having your own gas mask on hand allows you to be ready to face the air pollutants you may encounter. Although professional ones are much more reliable, even a handcrafted one can be useful for a first protection; it is not effective against all contaminants, but it keeps the face and lungs safe in an emergency.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Making a Gas Mask
Step 1. Learn the difference between gas and particulate contamination
Tear gas is actually a dust that is diffused in the air, chemical weapons are instead gaseous substances. While it is very difficult and expensive to protect yourself against the latter, you can easily create a handmade barrier against particles.
Toxic ash from volcanoes, tear gas and dust are all particulate contaminants
Step 2. Cut the bottom of a two liter clear plastic bottle
Use a utility knife to remove the last 2-3 cm of the bowl and discard the base.
Step 3. Cut out a "U" opening for your face
Draw a curve in the front of the bottle using a marker. Hold the bottle upside down and make sure the edges of the opening fit snugly against your face, from the temples to the chin. Check that there are 12-15 cm between the chin and the neck of the bottle; make an incision along the drawn line using a utility knife.
- Create a smaller opening than you think is necessary, you can always widen it later.
- The bottle should fit snugly to the face to prevent gases from reaching the eyes.
Step 4. Make a protective seal around the face using a foam roller
Glue a 2-3 cm thick strip of foam rubber along the edge of the opening to ensure an airtight seal. This detail prevents pollutants from entering the container and, therefore, into the eyes or nose. Take your time during this step, trying on the mask several times to make sure it fits snugly against your face.
- You can buy foam rubber from hardware stores or online.
- If you can't find this material, apply several layers of duct tape or strips of fabric from an old T-shirt along the edges.
Step 5. Remove the rubber bands from a hospital face mask
Cut them near the base, as you will need them later to put on the mask.
Step 6. Secure the rubber bands to the mask using staples
Attach them at eye level to keep the protection snug against your face without having to use your hands.
Step 7. Push the rest of the hospital mask onto the bottom of the bottle
Since it acts as a filter, you should choose an N95 model against particulate matter (available online and in medical supply stores).
Seal the edges of the mask to the inside walls of the bottle using glue to prevent polluted air from filtering out
Step 8. Put on your new gas mask
Fix it to the head, checking that there are no holes in the insulating material that could allow pollutants to pass; also remember to remove the cap of the bottle to be able to inhale.
Part 2 of 3: Making a Gas Mask Filter
Step 1. Attach a homemade filtration device to the mask to protect yourself from some gases
While it is certainly not comparable to military ones, this protection can keep you safe from some toxins, as well as from dusty substances such as tear gas.
Step 2. Cut off the top of a liter bottle
Use a utility knife to turn the bottle into a cylinder with an open end; you can use any type of plastic bottle, but the two-liter one is usually too big and bulky.
Step 3. Fill the base of the cylinder with 7-10 cm of activated carbon
This substance is able to absorb the fumes and gases present in the air, transforming itself into an effective barrier. While not 100% perfect, such a filter can eliminate chlorine and carbon based chemicals.
Step 4. Cut out the bottom of another liter bottle
It should be the same size as the previous one; remove the last 3-5 cm from the bottom trying to keep as much of the rest as possible.
Do not remove the cap
Step 5. Fill the top of the bottle with 7-10cm of pillow filling
This material retains particulate matter such as dust, ash or tear gas; alternatively, use strips of fabric from an old T-shirt, socks or cotton balls.
Tuck the bottles into each other and tape them together. If you have used identical containers, you can fit them perfectly together creating a secure seal; use duct tape to prevent them from separating. You just made the filter
Step 6. Drill 6-7 holes in the end with activated carbon as soon as you are ready to use the filter
To do this, use a utility knife and cut out some openings for air to pass through.
If not covered, activated carbon absorbs moisture from the air and becomes useless, so only drill holes when you need to use the filter
Step 7. Use a rubber tube to connect the bottom of the mask to the filter
The simplest way to combine the two is to use an old vacuum cleaner hose. Wash it thoroughly with soapy water and secure both ends to the mask and filter using tape.
Since activated carbon becomes unusable when it absorbs moisture from the air, remove the cap from the filter only when you need to use it
Step 8. Replace the activated carbon after each use
Once the contaminants and humidity have been absorbed, it loses all its effectiveness, since it is "exhausted"; replace it every time you use it or leave it in the air for a long time.
Part 3 of 3: Managing Exposure to Gases and Chemicals
Step 1. Cover your nose and mouth with a shirt if you don't have anything better
The fabric can protect you from larger particles, such as dust or tear gas, although not perfectly. Try to create an almost airtight seal by pressing the shirt to your face with both hands.
- Bandanas, towels and blankets offer similar protection in an emergency.
- A simple piece of fabric can save your life from the dust and ash generated by a volcanic eruption.
Step 2. Call the Poison Control Center immediately
If you or another person feels dizzy, nauseous, has seizures, or becomes unconscious after inhaling a chemical, make a note of the substance and call the licensed health facility right away.
You can find the list of poison control centers in this link
Step 3. Get fresh air right away
If you are able to move (or the victim is), try to get outdoors as soon as possible, away from the source of the chemical.
Step 4. Move unconscious victims by placing them on their side and face down
This is the "safety position" and requires the person to lie on their side using their upper leg as a prop. Make sure your mouth is facing down so that it can easily expel vomit and any other substance. wait for help and follow the instructions of the operators.
Advice
- Make sure your mask, filter, and tubing are tightly sealed and snug to avoid inhaling contaminated air.
- You can soak a bandana in vinegar to quickly protect yourself from tear gas, although the effectiveness of this remedy is still debated by some scientists.
Warnings
- The handmade mask described in this article Not it is to be considered as a valid alternative to military ones and has limited effectiveness.
- Remember to replace the activated carbon filter after each use, because once the toxins are absorbed it becomes useless.
- Some substances, such as organophosphates (for example Sarin), are absorbed by the skin as well as through breathing, consequently the mask is ineffective.
