Questions about preventing your mask from fogging.

I haven't seen this topic covered here, and I was looking to get anyone's thoughts on it. I was wondering if there is anything to prevent fogging on a Firefighter's mask. I know that there are liquids that you can put on a S.C.U.B.A. mask to prevent fogging, but that's S.C.U.B.A. diving and not firefighting. If there isn't anything like this for our masks, what would the same stuff that divers use do for us. I know that it's made for divers and I understand that they don't have to deal with the radiant heat aspect or what that might do to a substance applied to the inside of the mask. Just looking to see if anyone knows anything about this.

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Permalink Reply by Eric on December 23, 2008 at 9:24pm

Hey, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has posted so far. I have seen (again, S.C.U.B.A.diving) methods like the shampoo, and of course good old fashion spit. I also have noticed that through some of the posts that I may have fallen into a bad habit that I was never warned about and didn't think of as a bad habit, that being donning my mask during response. I do know that usually I know what my assignment is going to be and I don't usually get too fogged up before arrival ( I live in a pretty small village), but I have definately seen where it could cause problems. Usually the problem isn't as much when I'm inside, so I see the point. I guess since I've always seen the guys that have been in a few years longer than me donning their mask during response, I never really gave it a second thought. Anyway, again I want to say thank you for the posts so far and keep them coming. I didn't think that this would even get this much response or discussion going on about different methods.

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Permalink Reply by james young on December 23, 2008 at 9:40pm

Dawn dishwashing detergent

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Permalink Reply by Eric on December 23, 2008 at 9:54pm

I wanted to say thank you for the info, as you will see in a post that I put on the next page, this is a habit that I have fallen into. In my own defense, I can don my mask quickly before entry is made, I've never had a problem with that, as you'll see in my other post, I've just never given it a second thought. I know that isn't a good reason for anything, especially in this line of work. I have never donned the mask on a F.A.S.T. response or while outside staged and that's supposed to have a "moment's notice" response. I guess I never connected that to asking myself why I don the mask in the cab. What gets me is that I'm usually good at taking notice of things that might be a bad habit, usually around me as opposed to myself being in the bad habit. That said, I'm all about taking in what I can about the scene before making entry and this will only help. This will be beneficial I'm sure and I will be practicing this from here on in. Again thank you. Terribly sorry about the call with the 9 year old also.

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Permalink Reply by Dustin on December 23, 2008 at 10:03pm

ya idk what affect putting anything on your mask might do with its warranty or anything but the bypass trick works great for me like a lot of you have already said. but ya just dont waste your air

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Permalink Reply by Chris Hayden on December 27, 2008 at 8:08pm

Cat Crap. Not literally feline droppings.

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Permalink Reply by Joey "BigShow" De Piano on January 1, 2009 at 10:26pm

not saying it is official but the antiseptic wipes/rubbing alchol over inside of mask and there is one person i know who used rainex antifog but thats all unofficial

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Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 2, 2009 at 11:21am

To prevent your mask from fogging...

1) Don't wear it unless you immediately start breathing the SCBA air. SCBA masks are designed to be worn when on air, and to be removed the rest of the time.
2) Use nose cups inside the mask. They not only help prevent fogging, they also slightly prolong the service life of the air in the cylinder.
3) Keep the inside of the mask clean at all times. It doesn't take a lot of work to clean it to the manufacturer's specifications after each use. Dust, film that builds up over time, and even evaporated oils from your facial sweat will all contribute to mask fogging.

Don't use unapproved or flammable/combustible cleaning solutions inside the mask.

Good luck,
Ben

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Permalink Reply by R.J. Maropis on January 3, 2009 at 11:08am

If your department is supplying you with worn out gear, whether you're a rookie or not is just plain bad JuJu! There is no excuse for having worn out, or otherwise inferior gear when life is at stake. If it's a budget issue, maybe it's time you pointed out to your City Council at their next meeting where they have failed.

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Permalink Reply by Doug on January 8, 2009 at 7:46pm

i'm surprise that your nose cup is not stopping alot of the fog, if its still fogging with nose cups in place crack your by pass value and it will help for a little while