Face Mask

[mjh]

Someone I know is getting ready to go to Iraq and is looking for a fire retardant face mask, like what race car drivers wear. Apparently the military does not issue these but for anybody in a turret, they are important. Can anyone suggest a place to buy one? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Uboat509]

I have never seen anyone wear one of these but I can't imagine wearing something like that in 120+ degrees.

SFC W

[SWCAdmin]

Most nomex is too damn hot. But for the winter it may be more bearable and marginally feasible.

Step #1 is to NOT wear under-armor or any of that poly stuff that melts even in a flash burn. Do no harm.

Step #2 of some actual protection is not so simple. First, it is not just a face mask problem but an all-over burn problem. Then there is a lot going with heat dissipation, durability, protection vs. operational issues, etc. His best protection is to be alert and mission capable. There is some real incremental advantage to having some flame resistant (not fireproof) kit in the unlikely event of a fire, but you give that up and more by coccooning out at great disadvantage with most of the "solutions."

USMC PM-ICE has some info on Flame Resistant Organizational Gear here. Or Google FROG and ICE and you'll get a bunch more articles. I don't know where it really is as for getting to the troops.

[Stan]

I have no idea why anyone would want to wear this stuff in 100 plus heat, but I do when I drag race because that's the rules.

SFI ratings less than 3 dot zero will get you burned, so spent the extra 10 bucks.

I've spent a lot of time in 88s, 113s, 107s, 110s and some M1s. What's your bud think's gonna happen to him ?

[mjh]

I appreciate these responses. I thought about the heat, and I noticed that Ranger Joes and USCav don't sell these, so I don't imagine too many troops are wearing them. In any case, I'll tell him to click on the link Stan provided. Thanks again.

[jcustis]

You could also try Potomac Field Gear. I last saw their display at TREXPO East, where the rep was blowtorching some samples to show their fire-retardancy.

http://www.potomacfieldgear.com/come...only=balaclava

[Adam L]

I know there are a few new products on the market in the europe for racing equipment. One of them is a carbon based which I have heard is fairly cool from rally drivers. I'll try to track it down. I know there are a few others that haven't crossed the pond. I'll try to find my info on it. I think one of them is in one of my issues of Racecar Engineering.