Anyone know anything about gas masks?

Anubis327

So here's the story...I have an idea for a Halloween costume, but I need a gas mask to complete it. There's an old military surplus store in my town, and I managed to pick up an old Russian mask, but the problem is it's too small for my head. Luckily I was able to return it, but it was the only type they had. I was thinking of ordering an Israeli mask off the internet, but I was hoping to find out if anyone knew what size of head it was made for. I'm a bigger fellow, not obese but definitely not skinny either. My face is a little pudgy, but my head is 25.5 inches in circumference.


So H/A...does anyone have any knowledge regarding gas masks of any type?

Esh

Anubis327 wrote: »

So here's the story...I have an idea for a Halloween costume, but I need a gas mask to complete it. There's an old military surplus store in my town, and I managed to pick up an old Russian mask, but the problem is it's too small for my head. Luckily I was able to return it, but it was the only type they had. I was thinking of ordering an Israeli mask off the internet, but I was hoping to find out if anyone knew what size of head it was made for. I'm a bigger fellow, not obese but definitely not skinny either. My face is a little pudgy, but my head is 25.5 inches in circumference.


So H/A...does anyone have any knowledge regarding gas masks of any type?

This one?

It looks pretty adjustable, and if that doesn't fit your face then there's something wrong.

a Ferret

Most modern day masks, with either the 4 or 5 strap tie down system, should fit almost any head. My head's actually the same size as yours, and I have no trouble fitting into a standard navy issue mask (which fastens similir to the one above).

Cultural Geek Girl

A warning: a friend of mine collects old-school and modern gas masks. If you are buying one that is used it shouldn't be used for costume purposes: collectors use those for display only. You can get new ones that can be worn, but be careful with older ones - some of them have harmful chemical residues in the breathing system.

Kakodaimonos

And if you are going to wear it for costume purposes, I'd unscrew the filter and open up the other sides filter mount if you've got a side-mount filter. It's a lot easier to breathe without the filter attached. And talk.

Dropping Loads

A lot of head shops in California sell these for "tobacco use only." It might be a way to try one on before buying over the internet.

Comahawk

All I have to say is good luck.

Gas masks suck, wearing them for prolonged periods of time is fucking horrible and I am betting after an hour of wearing one and sweating in it, you are not going to want to wear it anymore. That was one aspect of basic I absolutely hated; running, yelling commands and in general having to wear those things was a huge annoyance.

Peter Principle

If it doesn't have to be a military gas mask you could always get a civilian full face respirator. Looks like there are a few sellers on Amazon that have them for ~ $60.

Full Face Respirators On Amazon

They would probably be slightly more comfortable than a military model, and you wouldn't have to worry about residues of harmful materials in the filters.