CIVILIAN GAS MASK.COM

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If the threat of nuclear, biological or chemical (NBC) terrorism is so great, why doesn't the government of the United States or other countries issue gas masks to their citizens?

A: First, Israel has issued new masks and filters to each of their citizens. Many of the older, used and obsolete Israeli masks are being sold on the Internet and through military surplus vendors to unsuspecting Americans.

Israel is now considering inoculating each of its citizens against anthrax, a biological agent used by terrorists. The Pentagon has decided to inoculate the members of the U.S. military against anthrax, and has already begun the series of six injections that need to be administered yearly.

To answer the question directly, according to Stephen Rose, author of "The Coming Explosion of Silent Weapons," there are two reasons the U.S. Government has not issued gas masks to its citizens, and both make total sense:

1. Because the issue is too unsavory and difficult to handle, especially in time of peace. The leaders of the country do not want to alarm the citizens with this threat.

2. Politicians who approve and vote on the budget would have a hard time voting for an 80-billion-dollar expense (which is what it would cost to supply every citizen of the United States with a gas mask and protective gear) to fight a heretofore invisible threat.

Because of the potential threat from North Korea, the mayor of Seoul, South Korea was considering supplying the citizens of his city with gas masks. Because of the economic problems facing the country recently, this may be delayed. It's a decision he may live to regret.

Q: Can you use the same filter (canister) for chemical agents as well as biological agents?
A: Some filters are combination filters and incorporate both particulate and gas filtering media 

Please be aware that there are several types of ineffective military masks being sold to unsuspecting consumers. Many of these are replicas of some of the quality, North American or Western European made masks sold by Civilian GasMasks.com, but they are manufactured in the Far East, Pakistan, etc. Be advised that they are JUNK. They are absolutely useless. they cannot be sold to any military organization, so they are being unloaded on unsuspecting civilians. These masks will no more protect you against NBC hazards than will a paper towel taped across your face.

In addition, you should never buy a used gas mask or filter from a surplus supplier. Used gas masks, even when they were previously used only for practice, have lost their integrity. They are sold very cheaply because there is no guarantee that they will protect you from nuclear, biological or chemical agents. [We mention this fact again and again on this Web site. If we believed that used or surplus gas masks and filters would protect you, we would sell them. We would sell a lot of them because of their low price. The reason we don't sell them is because they do not work. There is no guarantee that they will protect you.]

Q: How long are gas masks and filters designed to last?

A: All gas mask sold by Civiliangasmask.com are tested and certified in the Neoterik factory near Washington DC. All filters are new. Test results are available for all filters Gas masks have a shelf life of 20 years or longer, and filters have a 10-year shelf life. If you have a mask and filter that was purchased from a swap meet, gun show or surplus store and is not in its original packaging, assume it is useless. This is one chance not worth taking.

Filters (canisters) purchased from CivilainGasMasks.com have a shelf life of up to ten (10) years. Each filter is designed to last from five (5) to eight (8) hours. However, if concentrations of a deadly toxin are extremely high, it is possible that each filter will only last ten (10) minutes. It is highly advisable that when you purchase a mask, you purchase a decent supply of filters as well. We have attempted to make bulk purchases (2 to 6) of additional filters as inexpensive as possible.
REMEMBER... your new mask is useless without specially manufactured filters.

Many gas masks made years ago were made of an inferior grade of rubber and plastic. They were not designed to protect against some of the agents used by terrorists today. Some chemical agents will eat away at the inferior rubber and plastic used in the older, ineffective masks.

Q: My local army/navy surplus store sells gas masks. They told me that their masks will protect me from biological or chemical agents. Is that true?

A: Many gas masks sold in surplus stores are old and do not have functional filters. Many of these masks are made of old rubber that is beginning to crack. To test the mask, stretch the straps between your fingers. If small cracks are visible, the mask is not a good risk. In addition, many filters are good for only a limited time, especially if they've been used previously in training. Even if you want to believe it will protect you or your family (we realize it is tempting because they are so cheap!), why take the risk? If you're smart enough to realize the risk we will be facing in the coming years from those who wish to harm us, be smart enough to have equipment that is guaranteed to function properly.

Q:Since many chemical and biological weapons are colorless and odorless, won't it be too late for me to save my life by putting on my gas mask or respirator once I've become aware of the threat?

A: If you've already been exposed, it may be too late. However, considering the multitude of people with cellular phones and the extensive media presence in our world today, the first hint that NBC agents are being used on civilians will be broadcasted over radio and television immediately. People who don't watch TV, listen to the radio, or use the Internet, will need only to look out the window of their car, home or business. Birds will be dropping from the sky, animals will be falling over, and people will be having trouble breathing, choking on their vomit and saliva, etc. The bottom line is that when an NBC assault happens, some will die, even those smart enough to prepare. However, many will survive by using full-face gas masks with NBC filters or positive-air respirators. During the Cold War many Americans decided to prepare for a nuclear war with the Soviet Union by preparing bomb shelters. Many would have died in a direct hit, but those who were prepared would have had a fair-to-good chance of survival. After a chemical or biological attack, the residual effects could linger from several minutes to several days, depending on weather conditions (wind, humidity, etc.) and the amount of toxins released into the atmosphere. For people who are prepared for this type of emergency, gas masks are and will be a lifesaver.

Q:Do you recommend that I carry my gas mask with me wherever I go, or should I have separate masks for my car, office and home?

A: To be truly 100% prepared, some might say you need to be a bit of an eccentric. However, when the day arrives where a terrorist or rogue nation decides to release NBC agents into the air outside your car, and you're in the middle of a traffic jam... You need to be the judge about what makes you feel secure. CivilianGasMasks.com sells a nondescript tote that can carry any of the masks sold on this Web site. It can be hand-carried, strapped on your back like a book bag, or strapped to your thigh.

Q:Do you sell only the gas masks pictured on this site?

A:  CivilianGasMasks.com will only sell gas masks that meet our rigorous quality-control standards as discussed above. If we find other masks that meet our high standards and guidelines, we will add them to our line as well. The masks leaving the Neoterik factory are among the finest mask available in the world.

Our guarantee to you:

We WILL NOT sell any foreign-made masks (unless they are from a reputable firm in a country that is known for manufacturing quality products).

We WILL NOT sell any used or surplus gas masks.

We WILL NOT sell any gas masks that do not pass our rigorous quality-control tests.

We WILL NOT sell any gas masks that we would not put on our own children.

Q: When were gas masks invented, and by whom?

A: The first gas mask was invented by Garret Morgan in Cleveland, Ohio in 1913. Morgan, a black American taxicab driver, used his invention to rescue 32 miners who got trapped underground in a mine. The U.S. Army heard about it and contacted him to head up the manufacture of all government-issue gas masks.

Mr. Morgan is well known for his other invention: traffic lights.

Q: Do gas masks come in different sizes?

A: Yes, the masks sold by CivilianGasMasks.com are available for infants, children and adults with the remainder being "one size fits all." In addition, we carry masks for infants, children, adults with facial hair and adults who require a positive air system due to respiratory problems, or because they like the ease and comfort of having a blower system that continuously pours fresh, clean air across their face.

Q: What is a Positive Air System?

A: A positive air system is made up of several parts: the mask itself; as many as three (3) filters; a blower; and a power (battery) source. Whereas a standard gas mask protects via a filter through which the wearer breathes air on his/her own, a positive air system pulls the contaminated air into the filter chamber via a turbo blower system and batteries. The clean, fresh, cool air circulates around the wearer's nose and mouth.                                                                                                                                                        

Q: How do I know what size gas mask to order?

A: Gas masks sold by CivilianGasMasks.com are divided into 3 separate categories:

1. Masks for Infants and Children

Infant masks are for babies from birth to ages 2-3. The only infant product we currently provide is the Baby Ranger. It is designed for infants and toddlers up to age 3.

Children's masks are available as the Little Ranger (ages 2-10)

2. Adult masks (one size with adjustable straps for a perfect fit )

The following masks are available for adults in the "One Size Fits All" category:
GMI Eagle Champion
Gladiator Power Guard
Stabilizer Turbo Shield

These masks are specially designed to create a seal along the face of any adult. Very small adult faces may require a child's mask.

3. Adult masks (S, M, L)

The following masks for adults can be ordered in Small, Medium, or Large sizes:
M40-A1 Advantage 1000
MCU-2/P Millennium
Phalanx Survivor Existor 6006

Most adult men will fit into a Medium with comfort and an excellent seal. Most adult women will fit into a Small with comfort and an excellent seal. If you have an exceptionally large head or a wide/long face, you may want to consider a Large.

There is no hard and fast rule regarding sizing of gas masks. If you follow these general guidelines, you should not have a problem finding the correct size. However, if you do have further questions, feel free to E-mail us or call us at 1-888-742-6275.

Q: How do I know what size chemical protection clothing to purchase?

A: All chemical protection clothing sold by CivilianGasMasks.com comes in sizes Medium, Large, and Extra Large. The best way to ensure that you are purchasing the correct size is to buy the size you would purchase if you were purchasing a jacket, shirt, jumpsuit, etc. Keep in mind that you will probably be wearing additional clothing underneath your chemical protective clothing.

Height 5'3-5'9: Size Medium

Height 5'7-6'1: Size Large

Height 6'0 - 6'5: Size X-Large

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