PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-733
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 733
DECEMBER 2013
43
PS 733
DEC 13
Dear Editor,
You will definitely breathe easier in your M40/M42 mask if you remember
these tips:
Train, train, train.
We see
Soldiers who are just handed a
mask and really don’t have any idea
on how to put it together or wear
it. Sergeant’s Time is an excellent
time for CBRN specialists to go
over mask basics with units. TM
3-4240-346-10 and -23&P are
excellent tools for training.
If you’re a new CBRN specialist
and don’t have much training
yourself, most major posts have
some sort of CBRN school you can
go through to prepare you for your
new job.
Remember the M40
canister can be on either
side of the mask.
That helps
left-handed Soldiers when they’re
firing their weapons.
When you sanitize a mask or
issue a mask to a new Soldier,
replace the outlet, inlet and two
nosecup disks, the internal drink
tube, and the head harness. They
wear out over time, which makes it
difficult for the mask to function.
These items aren’t expensive, so
replacing them is a good, cheap way
to keep the mask breathing right.
Make sure you learn how to use M41 PATS.
That is the best
way to ensure your Soldiers have masks that properly fit. In too many CBRN
rooms, PATS isn’t being used because CBRN specialists aren’t sure how
to use it. Also make sure PATS is calibrated. It won’t do you any good if it
gives false results.
Consider where you
will be operating when
choosing which outserts
to use.
If you’re going to
be in bright sunshine most
of the time, use the tinted
outserts. If it’s going to
be cloudy or at night, use
the clear outserts. Once
you have the mask on,
it’s difficult to change the
outserts.
Forget the faceform for storage.
You no longer need to install
the plastic insert in the mask when it’s going to be stored for a long time.
The mask will hold its shape without the insert if it’s stored like the TM tells
you to. Just remember to store the mask with the head harness straps
pulled over the front of the mask. Also ensure the mask is stored with the
outserts installed so the primary lenses don’t get scratched.
Don’t crank the
headharness straps
tight.
New Soldiers often
do this, which results in the
Mother of All Headaches. If
your scalp tingles after you
tighten the straps, they’re
probably too tight. Loosen
the straps and place a finger
under the clip and buckle.
Adjust the strap until the
clips and buckle feel snug. Do
this for all the straps.
Put on your mask
chin first.
That helps it fit
better.
When you do your
mask PMCS, check all
the straps for elasticity.
If they’ve lost their snap,
they won’t do a good job of
holding the mask in place.
Get a new head harness.
SFC Peter Carona
100th Chem Bn
JBLM, WA
Editor’s note:
You’ve unmasked some great
mask ideas, Sergeant. Thanks for sharing.
M40/M42-Series Masks…
Follow these
tips so we can
both
breathe
easier!
now we are going to
train, train, train
until you know me
inside
and
out!
let’s see… today is
s’posed to be bright ‘n’
sunny…so I think I’ll go
with my tinted outserts.
hey! take it
easy. you’re
going to give
yourself
a
terrible
headache
if
you tighten
my straps so
tight!
I can
go right
or
left
with my
canister.
I’m
talented
like that!
Putting
mask on
chin first
gives a
better fit
733 42-43.indd
1-2
10/29/13
10:51 AM
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