Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfareabend of the hose assembly connects directly to the CBRor secondary TIC filter, if used. The other end has aquick-connect fitting that interfaces with the vehicle’scollective protection system.The M50 and M51 are manufactured in three sizes:small, medium, and large. The masks are equippedwith a sunlight outsert for eye protection from brightsunlight. A laser outsert is available as an additionalauthorization list item for laser eye protection. Bothmasks use twin primary CBR filters, positioned oneither side of the face, to provide protection againstCBR threats. Supplemental twin secondary TIC filtersare available as additional authorization list items. Thesecondary filters provide protection from designatedTICs and are used in conjunction with the primaryfilters, as required for mission/operations. 14,15M53 Chemical-Biological Protective MaskThe M53 mask (Figure 17-11) is specially designedto meet US Special Operations Command requirements;it is not a standard mask issued to other servicemembers. The M53 facepiece assembly is built ona butyl/silicone rubber faceblank with an invertedperipheral face seal and an integrated chin cup. Thefacepiece assembly forms a comfortable seal on thewearer’s face and protects the face, eyes, and respiratorytract from CB agents, certain TICs, and radiologicalparticulates. The facepiece assembly incorporatesFig. 17-10. (a) The joint service general purpose mask incorporatesstate-of-the-art technology to protect US forces fromanticipated threats. (b) Illustration of the mask’s technicaldesign.Photograph (a): Courtesy of the Chemical Casualty CareDivision, US Army Medical Research Institute of ChemicalAberdeen Proving Ground, Md. Drawing (b): Courtesy ofthe Respirator Engineering and Acquisition Team, ECBC-RDECOM, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.a single, flexible, polyurethane eye lens; a variableresistance exhalation unit that allows for operationsin negative pressure, powered air purifying respirator,self-contained breathing apparatus, and closedcircuit breathing apparatus modes; drinking systemcomponents; a communications interface; single filtermount assemblies with a 40-mm NATO thread thatintegrate the inlet disk valve and air deflector; and anose cup that controls the flow of air throughout themask and prevents fogging of the eye lens duringoperation. 14,15The M53 is manufactured in four sizes (extra-small,small, medium, and large) and in either a left- or righthandedversion. The mask also incorporates interchangeablenose cups in five sizes: extra-small, small,medium, large, and extra-large. Each mask is equippedwith a sunlight outsert for eye protection from brightsunlight and lens protection. A clear outsert is providedfor lens protection when the sunlight outsert is not required.A laser outsert is also available as an additionalauthorization item for laser eye protection. The maskuses a single CBR filter, positioned on the side of theface, to provide protection against nuclear, biological,and chemical threats and certain TICs. A particulatefilter, also available as an additional authorizationlist item, provides protection from biological and riotcontrol agents. 20 A protective hood is provided for568