If you want to protect yourself from a disaster or tear gas fired by the police, you will be prepared to deal with the chemicals in the air with your own gas mask. While professional gas masks are much more reliable, making your own is an easy way to stay safe. This mask won't protect you from everything, but a homemade gas mask can help protect your face and lungs in an emergency.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making a Gas Mask
Step 1. Know the difference between gas and particulate pollution
In fact, tear gas is dust that is sprayed into the air, whereas biological weapons usually spray gas. While it is incredibly difficult and expensive to completely protect yourself against gases, you can easily create a barrier against particulate matter at home.
Toxic ash from volcanoes, tear gas, and dust are all particulate pollutants
Step 2. Cut the bottom of a 2 liter soda bottle that is see-through
Cut the base ±2.5 cm wide using a razor blade and remove the base.
Step 3. Cut a U-shaped hole for your head
Use a marker to draw a "U" on the front side of the bottle, the cap facing down. This cut should fit along your face, stopping roughly at your temples and under your chin. Make sure you leave ±12.5-15 cm between the bottom of the face bowl and the chin. Cut along the lines you have drawn with a razor blade.
- Start smaller than you think necessary – you can always cut bigger later.
- The bottle should fit snugly along your face, as this prevents gas from getting into your eyes.
Step 4. Make a protective seal around your face with foam rubber
Glue ±2.5 cm of rubber with glue so that it forms insulation around the edges of the gas mask you made to create a seal. This will keep the polluted air away from the eyes and nose. Do not rush at this stage, try wearing the mask several times to make sure the mask fits on your face.
- You can buy foam rubber online or at a hardware store.
- If you can't get your hands on this gum, use several layers of adhesive tape around the edges, or a piece of cloth made from an old t-shirt.
Step 5. Take the elastic strap from the facial mask (hospital mask)
Cut this string near the base, as you will need it later to attach the mask to your face.
Step 6. Attach the elastic to the mask you made with the staples
Pin the elastic bands close to eye level so you can keep the mask securely on your face without using your hands.
Step 7. Push the face mask into the bottom of the bottle
It functions as a filter device. Place the face mask, preferably an N95 particulate mask (available online or at your local medical supply store), on the base of the gas mask you are making.
Glue the edges of the mask to the bottle with glue to prevent air from passing through the mask
Step 8. Put on your new gas mask
Attach the mask to your face, making sure there are no holes in the insulation to allow polluted air to enter your face. Make sure the bottle cap is removed, and breathe clean air.
Part 2 of 3: Making Air Filters for Masks
Step 1. Attach a homemade air filtration system to the mask you made to protect against gases
While the system is not as powerful as military-grade air masks, it does manage to filter out some toxins as well as particulate-based contaminants, such as tear gas.
Step 2. Cut off the top of the 1 liter bottle
Use a razor blade to slice the top of the bottle, creating an open cylinder. You can use any type of plastic bottle, but 2 liter bottles are usually bulky and heavy.
Step 3. Fill the bottom of the bottle with ±7, 5-10 cm of activated charcoal
Activated charcoal absorbs smoke and gases from the air, thus providing an effective barrier to gases. While not perfect, charcoal can filter out chlorine and carbon-based chemicals.
Step 4. Cut the bottom of another 1 liter bottle
This bottle should be the same size as the previous bottle. Cut ±2.5-5 cm from the base, leaving as much of the top as possible.
Leave the lid on
Step 5. Fill the top of the bottle with ±7, 5-10 cm of stuffing for pillows
This filling will remove any physical contaminants, such as dust, ash, or tear gas, from the air. You can also use scraps from worn socks, socks, or cotton balls.
Slide the bottles together and secure the two bottles with adhesive tape while they lock. If you use the same sized bottles, you can slide one bottle into another, creating a seal. Glue the bottles together with adhesive tape so the bottles will still lock tightly. This is your air filter
Step 6. Puncture 6-7 holes in the charcoal end of the air filter you made when you are ready to use it
Cut holes in the bottom of the filter with a razor blade to allow air in.
Activated charcoal will absorb moisture from the air if left open, rendering it useless, so only cut holes when you need the air filter
Step 7. Use a rubber hose to connect the base of the air mask you made with the filter
The easiest way to connect the filter to the gas mask you made is with an old vacuum hose. Clean the hose with soap and water, and then tape it around the ends of the filter and gas mask you made.
Since charcoal can absorb moisture from the air, rendering it useless, remove the lid from the filter only when you need it
Step 8. Replace activated charcoal after each use
Activated charcoal absorbs chemicals and moisture, so the charcoal is no longer useful once saturated. After each use or prolonged exposure to air, you will need to replace it with new charcoal.
Part 3 of 3: Addressing Exposure to Gases and Chemicals
Step 1. Cover your nose and mouth with a t-shirt if you have no other protection
T-shirts can actually protect you from large particles, such as dust or tear gas, although not perfectly. Try to create the perfect seal possible by using both hands to keep the shirt against your nose and mouth.
- Large handkerchiefs (bandanas), towels, and blankets will provide similar protection in an emergency.
- A simple piece of cloth can save your life from the ash and dust that comes from a volcanic eruption.
Step 2. Call the Poison Control Center immediately
If you or someone you know feels dizzy, nauseous, or has a seizure or loss of consciousness after inhaling a chemical, make a note of the chemical and call a poison control center immediately.
In America, the poison control center can be reached on 999
Step 3. Get some fresh air immediately
If the victim is able to move, take the victim to fresh, clean air as soon as possible. Keep it away from the source of the chemical.
Step 4. Turn the unconscious victim on his side with his face down
This is called the “recovery position”. Roll the unconscious person on their side, using their upper leg to hold them in place. Make sure their mouths are facing down so they can let out anything that comes up. Wait for emergency services and follow their directions.
Tips
- Make sure the masks, filters, and hoses you use are all sealed as tightly as possible to prevent breathing polluted air.
- You can soak a large handkerchief in vinegar for immediate protection against tear gas, although its effectiveness has been debated by some scientists.
Warning
- These DIY masks are “not” a substitute for military or commercial grade gas masks, and have only limited effectiveness.
- Remember to replace activated charcoal after use, as the charcoal will become useless once it absorbs the chemicals.
