Substitutes for N95 masks?

[Longstreet]

I am trying to find an alternative for a N95 mask. Will a P100 respirator work? I have checked several websites and found information that says a P100 respirator will not block Conravirus while other websites state it will when used with a full face shield.

I have also come across some DIY surgical mask patterns. ANd while I understand they will not work like a N95 mask, does it make any sense wearing one when out in public? Being a sewer I can put some together, but am wondering if it is worth the time and effort - although the project would keep my children busy...

Please respond. Thanks!

[JJ_BPK]

I read this a couple of weeks ago when N95 first hit the print.

The standards are incremental. N95 is less effective than N99 than N100. How you seal your nose and mouth is a big part. The typical N95 mask has no seal.. It just sits on your face.

Here is the short course from Cooper Safety explaining (with sales in mind) the variations.
https://www.coopersafety.com/respirator-types

[Longstreet]

That is what puzzles me. From what I understand the difference between a N95 and P100 rating is that the N95 stops 95% of all particles that are not oil based while the P100 stops 99.97% of the particles - even if they are oil based. THis is what your link stated too. So I am thinking the P100 would be a better filter although it has a limited lifespan unlike the P95.

And given I would be using a respirator (with the P100 filters) that is resuable and has a seal like a gasmask, I think it would definately do the job better.

The only good part of this is that regardless if they work or not, wearing my mask in public with a faceshield will be okay as nobody can recognize me anyway...

[SF_BHT]

All I know is we were issued p100 respirators. Only admin uses the N95 face mask.

This came from DC from the HQ health and safety division.....

Will have to do more research...

[doctom54]

Jayson here and I am trying to find an alternative for a N95 mask. Will a P100 respirator work?
jaYson

YES, a P100 is more effective than an N95.

That is what I am using in the middle of this (thanks to a great friend)

[Longstreet]

YES, a P100 is more effective than an N95.

Perfect. Thank-you so much for the response. While I have been staying in my house and only going out for runs/rucks, I will wear my respirator when I do go shopping or have to do errands in the public.

I am also planning on taking the following precautions:
- wearing a full face shield to prevent myself from touching my face when out
- bringing dyi blecah wipes to wipe the car down and my hands when entering my car
- When i return home, all clothing will be taken off and immediately put into the washing machine

Does this sound like a good plan or just going overboard? Comments? Thanks.

[miclo18d]

Perfect. Thank-you so much for the response. While I have been staying in my house and only going out for runs/rucks, I will wear my respirator when I do go shopping or have to do errands in the public.

I am also planning on taking the following precautions:
- wearing a full face shield to prevent myself from touching my face when out
- bringing dyi blecah wipes to wipe the car down and my hands when entering my car
- When i return home, all clothing will be taken off and immediately put into the washing machine

Does this sound like a good plan or just going overboard? Comments? Thanks.

jaYson

What are you doing while “out”? Working around infected ppl? Working at a natl park? What is your contact with the populace and your exposure level to possible infected? Precautions aren’t 99.97% effective, just the filter.

So much I could say here that your brain would pop. You could take all the precautions in the world and still probably contract it from the food wrappings once you get home from the store in MOPP4. just sayin.

MOO YMMV

[Pete]

...... You could take all the precautions in the world and still probably contract it from the food wrappings once you get home from the store in MOPP4. just sayin.

MOO YMMV

Hit the nail on the head with that one. Gave me a mental picture and a chuckle.

[PedOncoDoc]

What are you doing while “out”? Working around infected ppl? Working at a natl park? What is your contact with the populace and your exposure level to possible infected? Precautions aren’t 99.97% effective, just the filter.

So much I could say here that your brain would pop. You could take all the precautions in the world and still probably contract it from the food wrappings once you get home from the store in MOPP4. just sayin.

MOO YMMV

Even in our immunocompromised unit we are using simple surgical masks unless performing tests/procedures that are likely to cause respiratory droplet aerosolization (intubation, obtaining nasopharyngeal swabs, etc.) - eyewear is in widespread use when in contact with any patients with URI symptoms. These are for close contact with symptomatic patients and the N95 masks and PAPR devices are begin reserved for the aforementioned high risk situations to make sure we have sufficient supplies for when the SHTF and virus is widespread in our AO.

In the community - physical distance, frequent hand washing, avoiding touching of the face/mucous membranes and decontamination of frequently touched surfaces is likely the best widespread practice. N95 or other high filtration masks are probably best left for close contact where respiratory droplets may be encountered which is unlikely if the previously mentioned practices are strictly followed.

[Longstreet]

I will be venturing out to Costco and other stores to pick up food items and other home supplies.

I understand that nothing is 100% certain, but I am trying to use strategies to help prevent me from catching the virus and infecting my family. And while I understand that I cannot control all the factors which may lead to getting the virus, I am trying to minimize them. The respirator appears to be the biggest minimizer as well as washing my hands. I am bad for touching my face so the googles/faceshield may help with my bad habits. And it sounds like the wipes would be a good idea too. I am just trying to determine how much "other" precautions can prevent the virus and whether they are worth the effort.

As for my appearance when all "kitted up", meh. Not the first time I have looked ridiculous and probably not the last time either...

[TOMAHAWK9521]

Might any of you gents and guest members have a line on where I might acquire a roll or two of 80 lb. test cotton webbing?

My plan for putting the jackets into production has understandably been put on hold and I was contacted as a logical source for helping fabricate masks as part of the national "1 million masks" volunteer campaign. Joann's Fabric was offering materials for community members to use but they were cleaned out of elastic webbing very early. I've ordered a good sized roll of 1/4" elastic, which is preferred, for a decent price but it might be another month before it arrives.

I started looking for the most logical substitute, which is 80 lb. test, but the only place I have found it so far is an NSN site and the minimum size order is something around 4500 yards. I wouldn't know where to store all of that. Plus, I'd die of boredom and/or old age before I found enough uses for that much. Not to mention, there's no telling how long it would take to get here.

As for the mask materials, I'm good. Running in and grabbing a couple of flat sheets from Walmart starting at $5/ea (Twin: 66" x 96") is easier to acquire than gong to a fabric store, waiting in a long line for the employees to measure and cut the desired amount and paying at least $6/yd.

If you need it or know someone in your immediate area who might need it for their own mask production, then by all means, let them have it. I just figured I would ask. I'll keep looking, to be sure. I can take my time assembling masks and when the elastic shows up I should have quite a few on hand to match the elastic to and then unload them on whoever needs them in my A/O.

Thanks,

Patrick

[Longstreet]

I just reread your message. If you need only 80lb cotton webbing, please disregard this post.


Could a smaller gauge bungee cord work?

Here are some retailers who sell various widths of elastic webbing:

Outdoor wilderness sells elastic although 3/8".

http://www.owfinc.com/searchprods.asp

Dutchwear fabric sells the same.

https://dutchwaregear.com/product/braided-elastic/

Strapworks sells 3/4" elastic by the foot although it would be a tad overkill given its thickness.

(https://www.strapworks.com/3_4_Solid_Color_Elastic_p/sce34.htm

Lowry's smallest is 1" which (even more overkill), but you would not need to order 4500 yards.

(https://www.lowyusa.com/product/el196/

It is Berry Compliant though...

[JJ_BPK]

Jayson here and could a smaller gauge bungee cord work?

jaYson

Try looking at rubber bands? (c chart)
The bulk prices on EB aren't bad.

link: making a mask (https://nj1015.com/how-to-make-your-own-face-mask/)

link: making a mask 3 (https://safety.lovetoknow.com/personal-safety-protection/simple-diy-face-masks-sickness-prevention)

[TOMAHAWK9521]

Looking at it from an ergonomic viewpoint, narrow gauge shock cord, depending on how taught it is, can be uncomfortable when looped around the ears, which for many, is a tender, sensitive area. And if it isn't taught enough, it will just kind of hang there on the ears with the mask hanging loosely. There is also the tendency for many versions of shock cord, like rubber bands, to snag/pull hair, which can get tiresome. The 1/4"-wide woven elastic webbing provides a relatively greater dispersion of pressure with more surface area and is less prone to snagging hair. I'm not saying it won't, but there's less chance of it happening unless the health provider wearing it allows their hair hang free while on duty. Rubber bands can also get hung up on rubber gloves at times. And elastic webbing wider than 1/4" can be as irritating as narrow gauge shock cord.

In lieu of the elastic, the 1/4" cotton webbing would have been employed as one piece with a large loop that goes around the neck or base of the skull and the two loose ends running through the sides of the mask and tied up at the upper part of the back of the head like the industrial particulate masks I have in my shop.

The paper towel model is a very good field expedient concept but my understanding is that the masks that have been requested that I'm assembling need to be able to be reused (laundered) and have the capacity for additional disposable filtering materials to be inserted in between the fabric layers if necessary. I'm not a medical professional so I don't know all the specifics of what the medical community deems fit, but I'm trying to make something that is effective, adaptable, potentially reusable and, hopefully, just a little bit comfortable.

I do appreciate you guys posting those websites. I've had most of them bookmarked for years and already sourced them. While many of those sites are selling the elastic by the foot (some of them starting at $.30/ft.), what I've ordered breaks down to roughly $.09/yd. I realize many might consider my choice to be frugal to be a bit much in this situation but you have to consider that these masks will take more than a couple days to assemble. This is a 1-man limited production operation, which operates in stages and that gives me time to knock out as many as I can before the elastic arrives. And I'm shooting for assembling a respectable target number of masks. What else do I have to do?