"you what?" is probably what most of you think.
Well this is a modification to an S10 respirator to allow the fitting of an air supply instead of using a filter cannister.
Back in my early career we tested a set up designed for MoD, tactical units, prison riot teams, rescue teams etc.
The idea was an add on to the existing S10 series of gas masks to cure a vulnerability. in the above scenarios you are just as likely to encounter CS gas as you are smoke from a fire.
Smoke causes big issues with gas masks. basically it clogs the filters up and you can breathe for a couple of minutes at most before the cannister becomes unusable.
Self contained breathing apparatus sets at the time, although available with small bottles for the limited duration needed in such scenarios, always had the problem of having a seperate facemask, thus needing someone to take off thier helmet, hood and gas mask before donning the BA mask and putting lid back on.
Not ideal in fast paced environments.
So a solution was needed and designed. In effect just a adaptor to go from gas mask screw thread to Sabre BA demand valve bayonet plug.
It looked like this (sorry for small picture):
And it cost in research and development a massive amount of money for what in practical terms is just a injection moulded thread adaptor and a harness for the bottle in black instead of the usual high viz colours.
A typical MoD procurement rip off.
fast forward to now.
Ive always wanted a similar set up for my home protection/revenge/riot/gone postal/end of the world kit as it means i have one facemask that can do 2 things.
Obviously im not paying silly money for such a set up.
In my stock of equipment i already have a spare Breathing apparatus set up, and a spare gas mask and cannister.
cue a few minutes of sizing things up and sideways thinking.
The diameter of the flanges is IDENTICAL. so a drill and a file later and i have a cleaned up gas cannister screw thread ready to mate to a bayonet connector.
Rubber seal, connecting tube, a few screws and some epoxy later and we have:
total cost to me - NOTHING!
and the end result with two different usage combinations.
The first configuaration is the one used by the forces as it means you are ready to go and just need to turn on the bottle to breathe air.
I prefer the second configuaration as it gives maximum air endurance. A positive pressure BA set demand valve works by pressurising the face mask. With a cannister connected, air will leak out by backflowing through the cannister. Thats fine, as the bottle is designed for that wasteful usage still giving 10 minutes air. however on demand activated positive pressure you get 17 minutes.
So a little irregular for a car forum but an example of the other little projects im upto!