GAS MASKS' EFFICACY

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1940, Page 3

GAS MASKS' EFFICACY

Official Correspondent with N.Z.E.F.

CONVINCING TEST MADE

Aldersnot, Aug. o. Opportunity has lately been taken to complete. details of equipment, particularly in the case of men whose requirements difler from those of the majority. Thus all who wear spectacles regularly have been supplied with two pairs fitted with flat stems in place of the usual round stems. These sit closely against the .side of the head and enable the wearer to wcar his gas mask without danger of its leaking where the rubber rid-es on spectacle stems. The special glasscs, the lenses of which are similar in strength to those the soldier ordinarily wears, are supplied free. All gas masks are being tested in use, to ensure that they- fit closely and permit no leakage. After fitting his mask, every man is passed into a chamber heavily charged with tear gas, and kept there for about fivc minutes. He soon knows if tear gas is getting past h:s mask, and if it is he raises one hand. Thereupon he is taken outside and the fitting of his mask adjusted before he returns to the chamber. A mask is not passed as correct until there is no suspicion of leakage. As each one is passed the weaier is marehed back through the chamber without his mask — to convince him that he was being protected during the five minutes of his earlier stay. He emerges with eyes streaming and smarting, and is wamed not to rub them. In thiee*or four minutes the inconvenience has passed, but by that time the soldier has developed a new affeetion for his mask. There are no permanent effects of tear gas. On the other hand, a mask which protects from it will protect from any other known gas.