PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-591

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 591

FEBRUARY 2002
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-591 - Page 26 of 33
PS 591
FEB 02
49
A FITTING SOLUTION
A FITTING SOLUTION
S
oldiers with small or large heads can cause
big headaches for you NBC NCOs when it
comes to fitting an M40 or M42 mask. But
there are ways to relieve your headaches and
make sure soldiers are protected.
.
Use the M41 protection assessment test
system (PATS) instead of banana oil to test
every mask. PATS is much more accurate
than banana oil.
If a small mask is too big to create a good
seal, readjust and tighten the head harness,
then test with PATS again. Sometimes that's
enough for the mask to pass.
If the mask still doesn't pass, replace the
headharness with a skull cap head harness,
NSN 4240-01-390-3057, and re-check.
Still no luck? Then check out TB 3-4240-
341-20-1,
Chemical-Biological Protective
Mask for Hard-to-Fit Service Members,
for
further help. If nothing works, tell your CO.
He will decide if the soldier is deployable.
Check out the TB if the M40 or M42 large
mask is too small for a soldier, too.
Use PATS
to test
Adjust head
harness for
tight seal
look at
me…
IT
fits!
that’s
what
you
think!
Maintain the proper sampling
distance: no closer than 1 inch for
people and equipment. Any closer
risks contamination.
The CAM buzzer makes it
easy to keep track of distance. It
sounds when the CAM detects
agent, so you don't have to keep
looking at the display. Your NBC
NCO can order buzzers with
If your CAM doesn't pass the con-
fidence test, wait at least 10 seconds
and try again. You can do the test as
many as five times, but must wait at
least 10 seconds between tests. If your
CAM doesn't pass after five tries, it's
time to call your NBC NCO. More
tests will only saturate the CAM.
If your CAM detects
something, pull it away
immediately to avoid
saturation.
Clear the CAM to
one bar before switch-
ing modes to prevent
clearing problems.
Keep the CAM
away from vehicle
exhaust, cleaning
fluids and solvents.
They make it very
difficult to clear
the CAM.
In the field, use the nozzle
standoff once only to avoid con-
tamination, then throw it away.
Keep the standoff as clean and dry
as possible so it stays sensitive. If
it gets dirty or wet, replace it.
Keep CAM
1 inch
away
Buzzer makes
detection easier
Use nozzle
standoff
once only
I failed
that
test.
but if you give
me 10 seconds…
I’ll try again!
M40-Series, M42-Series Masks…
591. 46-49 (X)
12/24/01
6:11 PM
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