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Health

Want to Be Prepared? We Have the Details on the Futuristic-Looking Breathing Mask That Could Save Your Life

Dec. 17, 2012 1:39pm Liz Klimas

For years those in the military, law enforcement and industrial sectors have used respirator systems to prevent them from inhaling toxic substances. In the wake of 9/11, the U.S. Capitol even stocked up on gas masks in case of a terrorist attack. Now, specialized for the civilian market for the first time is an escape mask that not only protects against biological, chemical, radiological and nuclear hazards, but the most common killer in household fires — carbon monoxide gas — as well.

American Preppers Network Sells ILC Dovers SCape CO Respiratory Mask

(Image: ILC Dover)

The SCape CO respirator by ILC Dover, a Delaware-based company that makes products for the Department of Defense, NASA and commercial clients, is the first one that filters out carbon monoxide intended for civilians that meets national requirements, the company said in an interview with TheBlaze.

“Originally, SCape products were used in response to terrorist events,” Tony McKee, chief engineer of personal protective equipment at ILC Dover, said to TheBlaze. “Now it’s branching out to industrial markets and civilian areas that have never really been reached before.”

What makes the SCape mask different from others on the market — and there are some — is that it meets NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety an Health) standards. Unlike those designed for the military, ILC Dover Director of Global Marketing Doug Durney told TheBlaze, is that all the user has to do is open the mask’s packaging and put it on.

Unlike those designed for professionals, this respiratory system requires no prior training. Even still, the mask provides the same level of protection as the more than 3 million M40 gas masks the company has issued to the U.S. military and the more than 350,000 escape masks contracted for federal employees and dignitaries, according to the announcement.

(Image: ILC Dover)

The American Preppers Network has partnered with ILC Dover to market the SCape CO to the public and the Prepper community, because it is something APN co-founder Phil Burns said in a statement “we want to put our name behind.”

“The purpose of the escape mask is to put it on so you can breathe, grab your family, and get out safely,” said Burns.

In addition to being useful in fires, the ILC Dover team mentioned the prevalence of chemical spills or issues with local nuclear plants situations where the respirator could be useful was well. The company called this the mask’s ability to respond to “dual threats.”

The team pointed out to TheBlaze that mask is also designed to be easy to use and wear in a panic situation. The mask has a blower that keeps filtered air going into the hood and an exhaust in the valve that pushes carbon dioxide that the wearer exhales out. It also seals comfortably around the neck at the shoulders so the wearer doesn’t feel claustrophobic, according to Durney. The mask provides up to 30 minutes of protection.

Other features that set it apart is that the wearer can have facial hair, whereas other masks would have issues sealing in that situation. It also allows for easy visibility in and out of the mask and communication to the outside as well.

Watch this video about the SCape:

The hood is designed to be one-size-fits all, suited for wide or thin necks. There is also a version for children 3-years-old and younger.

As for it’s cost, the $299.50 escape mask might seem a bit hefty. But Durney pointed out that it’s the only one on the market designed specifically with civilians in mind.

“The $299 list price really gets you a product you can feel comfortable in to get you and your family out of a situation,” Durney said.

As for its safety as a wearable product, meeting the NOISH standard, McKee explained, means that it has lived up to human trials. One of these tests includes measuring the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels inside the hood while a person is running on a treadmill. He said meeting the standard ensures enough oxygen is flowing into the mask and that the appropriate amount of carbon dioxide is exiting.

The mask is available on the APN store here.

This story has been updated since being posted to correct that “filtered air” not “oxygen” flows into the hood.

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Comments (36)

media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 8:02am
Interesting..

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DMENTED
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 5:55am
I’d like to see if it would pass the pickled-eggs-Mexican-food-and-beer-fart-test. Some people have died as a result of them.

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The Bald Eagle
Posted on December 18, 2012 at 12:02am
Futuristic my ARS… More like back to the future… US Navy first issues the SSBD Self Sustaining breathing Device in the 70′s then upgraded to the EEBB Emergency Escape Breathing Device. Basically dumping the plastic hood model for fire retardant material and from O2 to compressed air.

Would never wear a plastic hood…… Shrink wrap.

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AZgirl9000
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 10:30pm
When I first glanced at her picture, I thought, “Why is that woman wearing a magnum condom?”

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Jarhead 88
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:23pm
Make one for liberals, that is just a plastic bag and put a one-way cinch on it.

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- mikem1969
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 7:15pm
  ROFLMAO I spit my water out laughing at that one.
  
  I’ll buy each of them one and help them put it on.
  
  Report this comment
- bobfrommosinee
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 8:41pm
  Wouldn’t help they are brain dead already, Walking Zombies.
  
  Report this comment
- DMENTED
  Posted on December 18, 2012 at 5:53am
  Just remove the warning on items they buy with plastic bags included in the packing. They’ll find their own way.
  
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CowboyExpat
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 6:00pm
This is not really new news…My family and I have had these devices for years. Ours are heat shielded…yours is not. Come into close proximity with a high heat source and your face is molten plastic. Think about it for a while…. Find the most suitable device for your conditions. Not sure I could trust this in a real fire.

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NILAP
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:38pm
The CT shooter’s mother was a Prepper who thought the US economy was going to collapse. Expect the left wing media to run with that and attack Beck.

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jakartaman
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:35pm
$5.00 wet towel?

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wisehiney
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:24pm
Is it reuseable? (spelling?) Sometimes I am required to meet with liberals.

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thegreatcarnac
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 4:27pm
I am soooo impressed. I noticed their giving them to government workers. Why are lives of govenment workers more important than yours?

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- aproudinfidel
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 5:33pm
  Or mine.
  
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schroeder123
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 4:12pm
My Gosh ! For something that is an Emergency item why so many wrappers !! ??

Take you 5 min to figure the darn thing out. Give me a break. make it simple and quick.

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Hickory
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 4:07pm
How can it overcome the depletion of oxygen?

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ltcwilly
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 4:04pm
Nothing futuristic about these. They are stocked in hundreds of cabinets mounted in the hallways of the Pentagon. Everyone who works there goes through the training. All it is is a plastic shell that seals around your neck, while pumping filtered air inside. They’ve been around for quite a while.

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soybomb315_II
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 3:20pm
if this is what is required for future survival – the good Lord can take me whenever he pleases…

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cathouseumbrella
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 3:12pm
“Helps You Breath”

LOL. Good work, Blaze editors.

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cemerius
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:37pm
I know that the lack of oxygen that is feeding the fire is to blame for most deaths BUT, I would not like the fire hitting the ziplock baggie over my head either!! Dropping to the floor and low crawling out of the house is still my preferred egress from a building fire!!

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The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:31pm
Didn’t they have something like this a decade or so ago? I seem to remember it coming off the market rather fast due to its tendency to catch fire and/or melt in high temps…such as in a fire.

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- ltcwilly
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 4:04pm
  Yes.
  
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DougHuffman
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:28pm
Consider the expected utility of this product, the price times the likelihood of use. This is a product for those with too much money and not enough good sense. Marketeering crap.

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TROLLMONGER
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:26pm
And yes you can get this apacolyptic gas mask for just $499 at Becks end of days store.

Hurry now while supplies are limited! Remember Beckbots…the end is near so repent to you god!!!!

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- OhioRifleman
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 4:05pm
  Does that mean you shall be repenting on your high-price kneepads to your Lord and Savior Barack Hussein Obama, good sir Trollmonger?
  
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michaelmoron
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:25pm
You need this for all the Aluminum, Barium, Strontium and other toxic chemicals they are Spraying in our Atmosphere, EVERY DAY !!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEfJO0-cTis

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SREGN
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:14pm
I might get one for when our cafeteria serves the bean soup at lunch.

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- DEFCON4
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:55pm
  Sorry, Sregn. I just could’nt resist, lol…….http://youtu.be/R6dm9rN6oTs
  
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ArmedAndReallyPissed
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:00pm
This looks like a great item to have, but i wonder if it will stop an attack from, oh say, 20 F-16′s the CLOTUS just gave to the MoBroHo in Egypt ? This Communist leader of the new USSA is arming all of our enemies. What’s next ? Going to give them some Nukes too ?

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- commies.in.the.wire
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 4:22pm
  They may come in handy for those that don’t have gas masks when the Obama Govt releases a bio weapon on us and blames his Al Qaada boys.
  
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Salamander
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 1:53pm
Nice! Now if it just came with a parachute or a zip-line or controlled descent carabiner, it would be even better. Just imagine if the folks at World Trade could have clipped a lanyard onto a fitting and lowered themselves even 20 floors to re-enter the building below the damage, or ridden it all the way to the ground–only 1100 feet away. Frankly, without training, I don’t know if I’d have the confidence to use such a device, but it would sure beat a free jump choice to end it all a different way. In Japan, during fire drills, an employee is picked to make the building-to-ladder transfer for a descent from the 9th floor! It is a confidence builder and trains one person a year how to safely move from open window to a fire ladder, that someone who can help many in the event of a real emergency!

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Steelhead
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 1:52pm
Justin time for X-mas Liz? Way to play the fear card

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- Fubared
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:28pm
  Many many uses steelheadisadouche. Way to play the douche card. It’s for safety and all. Should be handed out with ACA. Along with ss109′s, for safeties sake.
  
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Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on December 17, 2012 at 1:47pm
Bonus:

And you can audition for 1950′s era sci-fi movie roles while you’re at it.

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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 1:56pm
  An extra benefit to the economy until Obama has it taxed out of existence.
  
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- Xiccarph
  Posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:26pm
  Be nice if they’d include info such as is it a one-time use device, or is the O2/filter unit replaceable, and what is the shelf life.
  
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