Israeli Civilian Gas Mask w/ Nato Filter

By IDF

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0002XJ2OU
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (337 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27 in Industrial & Scientific (See Top 100 in Industrial & Scientific)
  • #2 in Industrial & Scientific > Occupational Health & Safety Products > Personal Protective Equipment > Face & Eye Protection > Work Safety Masks
  • #12 in Home Improvement > Safety & Security > Work Safety Equipment & Gear

Product Description

This is the gas mask issued to Israeli civilians when threatened with chemical attack by Saddam's Iraq. It has full NBC (neuclear, biological, chemical) protection, and comes with one sealed filter. Mask is new, unissued cond. and has hydration port. Also good to have around for protection against smoke, paint spray, grinding dust, etc. These are the same masks that some were selling for $200-300 after 9/11. Note; U.S. sales only, no export. Please note that since we have no means of testing, or data from Israeli manufacturer, we cannot guaranty degree of protection, against all possible sources of contamination, or how long filter will last under various conditions (denser contamination means less time). we can only guaranty that mask and filter are in new cond.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

212 of 218 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An economical, efficient, comfortable, overall GREAT Gas Mask! May 11, 2011

By Kyle CR

Amazon Verified Purchase

Allow me to start off by saying that I absolutely love this mask. I have really ZERO COMPLAINTS about it. There are a few things that may bother others slightly, but not me. Nothing worth worrying about if you are ever in a situation where you need to use it. I will break my review down into categories:

-FIT/SEAL- 5/5
This mask fits very well to various adult head sizes. I have tried it on myself and several others. Everyone who tried it said it fit perfectly and had no complaints. This is due to the elastic straps that are used to tighten the mask. They are very easy to adjust while wearing and will not loosen while worn. It creates an airtight seal no matter if you are clean shaven or have facial hair. An easy way to test this for yourself is to put it on, adjust it to fit snugly, then cup your hand on the part where the filter attaches. Try to breathe, you will not be able to.

-LENS- 4/5
Let me start off by saying that the lens on this mask is made of a very sturdy, hard plastic. They are round however and do obscure your peripheral vision. Other than that, I have no complaints. Obviously, since they two eyepieces are sperated (its not one big mask lens) it does create an ever so slight cut off of your vision. Hardly noticable at all. Put your index finger parallel with your face along your nose, between your eyes. Thats how little it obscures your vision. Also, there is a rubber flap that goes across the bridge of the nose under the eyes that prevents the lens from fogging up. This is especially handy.

-EASE- 5/5
This mask is EXTREMELY easy to put on. It is also very easy to adjust the elastic straps around the head to tighten it and creat a seal. It has 5 elastic straps and one plastic strap that I suppose you tighten against your chin. I see little point in this plastic strap as it is extremely long and seems unnecessary. The 5 elastic straps are more than efficient to create a seal. it is also easy to get off once it has been fited, as it is elastic, as you have to do is pull it from your face and off. Perhaps the plastic chin strap is to have it hang from your neck down your back? xD

-COMFORT- 5/5
Not much to say here. As stated above, the mask fits well and is comfortable. It is made of rubber and does conform to your facial structure while creating a seal. It does not chaffor cause irritation. Also as I said before, you do not have to be clean shaven to wear this mask efficiently or comfortably.

-PROTECTION/FILTER- 5/5 *IMPORTANT*
This mask DOES CREATE AN AIR-TIGHT SEAL. It does not seem to allow leaks at all, so in that sense it provides supreme protection. HOWEVER, it is worth noting that the filter (40mm NATO filter) it comes with is quite old. The mask itself was made in the 80's and I can only imagine how old the filter is. Although, the filter does come completely sealed which means, even though it is past its expiration date by most likely about 20 years (I can't read the writing on the canister) it should be effective if used right when opened. However, once it is opened do not expect it to be usable several months from now. It will continue to absorb chemicals and particles in the air around it. If you use the filter right away, it should provide about 8 hours of protection depending on the level of contamination you are breathing in.
I have tested the filter. It does successfully filter low-scale toxins (Obviously). I do not adivse or recomend testing this for yourself. If you want an idea of how well the filter works and the seal of the mask, perhaps wear it around gasoline, fresh paint or sulphur from a just lit match.
Obviously I have not tested this on its NBC (Nuclear-Biological-Chemical) protection, so I am not sure if this filter will provide sufficient protection for that purpose. Again, for low-scale toxins and gases, for example, Tear Gas, this will provide excellent protection. Since the filter is quite old, and I couldn't find much info on it, I can't speak on its use for NBC protection.
***While this mask does provide protection as far as breathing goes, if the filter DOES in fact provide NBC protection, this mask and filter alone would be near useless without a full body protective suit. Your skin would still absorb radiation and chemicals from any biological weapons. *To be sufficiently protected in an NBC situation you will need a full body NBC protective suit ALONG with this mask.

Overall, I am very satisfied with this product and it does do everything it is supposed to. It is economical, comfortable, efficient, possibly scary looking to children, and just an overall great product! I highly recomend this mask!

Hope this review was helpful to you!

223 of 241 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Expired Filters September 7, 2011

By Bear Grylls

Amazon Verified Purchase

The three masks I ordered had expired filters as of 2005. I wish this was disclosed in the description because people are staking their lives on this product if they actually needed to use it (NBC attack or pandemic). I wish people were informed that these filters have a shelf life of 5 years, some better filters have 10 years. Unfortunately new filters are double the cost of this mask, almost $35 each. I will have to buy 3 new filters for $110 for these masks, otherwise they are basically useless and even dangerous, false sense of security.
They are a good deal though, considering just the mask is more expensive elsewhere and the mask itself seems quality, good fit and comfortable. I just can't give it more than 2 stars because I am disappointed there is not full disclosure in the description- I would not expect to ever receive an expired (shelf life) item when it is sold as "NEW".
If you decide to buy this mask I would still recommend it, however just expect to have to buy new filters also (true with all the masks/filters I have seen on Amazon- I would not buy any others without verifying the expiration date). You can buy new filters with a 10 year shelf life at approvedgasmasks.com
Also, unrelated to this product or review but important to mention: be aware that most filters will last 8-12 hours once opened (depending on type and concentration of chemical/bio) so, in some sort of attack or extended pandemic you will need to keep 3-5 filters per mask!

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Test the mask as soon as you receive it!! June 23, 2012

By Alejandr0

I received my first mask on 06/23/2012. I immediately performed a postive pressure test and a negative pressure test. The mask failed the negative pressure test. Upon inpsection, I found that the exhaust vent was missing the rubber flap/disc/seal that prevents air from coming in through the exhaust.

UPDATE:

After returning the defective mask, I placed an order for 2 more masks. Both masks were free of defects and passed the negative and positive pressure tests. Overall, 2 out of 3 ain't bad. But, you really don't want to have that 1 out of 3 if you need to depend upon this mask for your life. TEST YOUR MASK as soon as you receive it.

Steps for performing the positive pressure test and negative pressure test:

You do NOT need to attach the filter canister to perform these tests. Do NOT open your filter canister until the time of emergency.

Negative Pressure Test:
1. Do NOT attach the filter canister to the mask. Put the mask on and adjust straps until mask fits securely.
2. Use your hand to cover the intake area. This is the circular area where the filter attaches to the mask.
3. Inhale.
4. Air should not be able to enter the mask. You should feel reduced air pressure within the mask. The mask should feel like it is being sucked towards your face.

Positive Pressure Test:
1. Do NOT attach the filter canister to the mask. Put on the mask and adjust straps until mask fits securely.
2. Use your hand to cover the exhaust area located directly beneath the filter attachment area.
3. Exhale.
4. Air should not be able to exit the mask. You should feel increased air pressure within the mask. The mask should feel like it is trying to pull away from your face to let the air out.