M17 gas mask
Encyclopedia
The M17 gas mask is a series of gas mask
s that were designed and produced in 1959 (as a replacement of the M-9 gas mask)to provide protection from all types of known chemical
and biological agents
present. The M-17 was issued to troops in the Vietnam war, and was standard issue for the U.S Army until it was replaced by the M-40 in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The mask has different components like a filter
, a face piece and outserts. Filter elements in the face piece prevent harmful agents from entering the mask. The M17 series includes three types of masks, the M17, M17A1 and M17A2. An experimental transparent-silicone model was designed in 1966, but was turned down. Many countries have copied the M-17 design. Notable copies include the Bulgarian PDE-1, the Polish Mp-4, and the Czech M-10.
These gas masks have inbuilt systems that facilitate communication, a tube for drinking water
(A1 & A2), and a pair of outserts to protect eye
lenses and prevent fogging
. The mask is packed in a carrier that also contains other items like a nerve agent antidote kit (NAAK)
and a convulsant antidote for nerve agent
s (CANA). It also contains a waterproof bag to protect filter elements from water damage. Other components attached are mask hoods to protect the head and neck area, a winterization kit to prevent frost
accumulation during cold weather conditions and optical inserts for soldiers with vision defects. The A1 had a mask to mask resuscitation feature that was found to expose both personnel to chemical agents. This forced the services to with draw it from issue and replace it with the A2 without the feature
The mask offers protection from harmful agents, but does not function properly in places where oxygen
content is low. The mask is not meant to be used for firefighting and does not provide protection from radiation
. It is recommended that users continue wearing it until the biological or chemical agent is identified.
Gas mask
A gas mask is a mask put on over the face to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirators, though the word...
s that were designed and produced in 1959 (as a replacement of the M-9 gas mask)to provide protection from all types of known chemical
Chemical warfare
Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. This type of warfare is distinct from Nuclear warfare and Biological warfare, which together make up NBC, the military acronym for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical...
and biological agents
Biological warfare
Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war...
present. The M-17 was issued to troops in the Vietnam war, and was standard issue for the U.S Army until it was replaced by the M-40 in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The mask has different components like a filter
Air filter
A particulate air filter is a device composed of fibrous materials which removes solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. A chemical air filter consists of an absorbent or catalyst for the removal of airborne molecular contaminants such as volatile organic compounds...
, a face piece and outserts. Filter elements in the face piece prevent harmful agents from entering the mask. The M17 series includes three types of masks, the M17, M17A1 and M17A2. An experimental transparent-silicone model was designed in 1966, but was turned down. Many countries have copied the M-17 design. Notable copies include the Bulgarian PDE-1, the Polish Mp-4, and the Czech M-10.
These gas masks have inbuilt systems that facilitate communication, a tube for drinking water
Drinking water
Drinking water or potable water is water pure enough to be consumed or used with low risk of immediate or long term harm. In most developed countries, the water supplied to households, commerce and industry is all of drinking water standard, even though only a very small proportion is actually...
(A1 & A2), and a pair of outserts to protect eye
Human eye
The human eye is an organ which reacts to light for several purposes. As a conscious sense organ, the eye allows vision. Rod and cone cells in the retina allow conscious light perception and vision including color differentiation and the perception of depth...
lenses and prevent fogging
Anti-fog
Anti-fog agents, also known as anti-fogging agents and treatments, are chemicals which prevent the condensation of water in the form of small droplets on a surface which resemble fog...
. The mask is packed in a carrier that also contains other items like a nerve agent antidote kit (NAAK)
Mark I NAAK
The Mark I NAAK, or MARK I Kit, is United States military nomenclature for the "Nerve Agent Antidote Kit". It is a dual-chamber autoinjector: Two anti-nerve agent drugs — atropine sulfate and pralidoxime chloride — each in injectable form, constitute the kit. The kits are only effective against the...
and a convulsant antidote for nerve agent
Nerve agent
Nerve agents are a class of phosphorus-containing organic chemicals that disrupt the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to organs...
s (CANA). It also contains a waterproof bag to protect filter elements from water damage. Other components attached are mask hoods to protect the head and neck area, a winterization kit to prevent frost
Frost
Frost is the solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. It is formed when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air as well as below the freezing point of water. Frost crystals' size differ depending on time and water vapour available. Frost is also usually...
accumulation during cold weather conditions and optical inserts for soldiers with vision defects. The A1 had a mask to mask resuscitation feature that was found to expose both personnel to chemical agents. This forced the services to with draw it from issue and replace it with the A2 without the feature
The mask offers protection from harmful agents, but does not function properly in places where oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
content is low. The mask is not meant to be used for firefighting and does not provide protection from radiation
Radiation
In physics, radiation is a process in which energetic particles or energetic waves travel through a medium or space. There are two distinct types of radiation; ionizing and non-ionizing...
. It is recommended that users continue wearing it until the biological or chemical agent is identified.