| The Navy service gas mask was designed to protect personnel
from toxic war gases. It had a canister that was worn on back of
the neck and was attached to the face piece by two breathing
tubes. There were reported cases, during emergencies, of
personnel wearing the gas mask to escape from smoke-filled
compartments. It could be used for that purpose as long as the
person passed through the space quickly. If work was to be
performed in a compartment while wearing the gas mask, it had to
have at least 16% oxygen. Enough gas masks for every member of
the crew were stored in the chemical warfare storeroom with
decontamination kits, protective clothing and decontamination
materials for decontamination stations and ship wide
decontamination operations. Spare gas masks were kept in repair
lockers for training and to serve as additional breathing
protection. Periodically the masks were disinfected.
Inspection of the mask was performed by crew members to whom the
masks were issued for either training or readiness operations.
Planned maintenance onboard ships was conducted by damage
controlmen. Repair ships carried spare repair kits and also
repaired gas masks. |
