Furry Gas Masks
Dec. 13th, 2006 06:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
graafenI keep seeing art of furry critters wearing gas/oxygen masks, and every single time I see these I can't help but think that they look wrong.
Why is this? It's pretty simple really for anyone who has actually used a gas mask before. There are two major flaws with the majority of gas mask design in furry art.
Unfortunately I can't draw, so I can't show you what I mean. Hopefully you can understand what I'm saying.
1) Shape would play a major factor in gas mask design for furries. Critters with short to no muzzles (rabbits for example) would not really have a problem in this area, but those who do have long protruding muzzles (canines, lizards, etc) would definately have a problem due to length.
Most artists draw the masks as though the muzzle is covered in a single piece of moulded rubber. Although this would technically work for breathing requirements it leaves a large flaw: no jaw movement. Jaw movement would be required for conversation.
From what I can see there are really only two ways of combating this.
One is to have a large cavity below the jaw which would allow movement, but that would be impracticle and restrict downwards movement of the head.
The other option (which was suggested to me by![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
toy_dragon) would be to have a section of concertina style rubber beneath the muzzle which would extend downwards as the wearer spoke. This would be more practical.
2) When I mentioned this to Ultrafox he also informed me that fur would be a major factor too. Gas/oxygen masks work by forming an airtight seal around the wearers face. This would be impossible with fur in the way. The only way to resolve that problem would be for the wearer to wear an NBC hood which the mask slips over.
3) This is a little addition. Gas masks for long muzzled critters would NOT have filters on the end of them. Think about it, filters are heavy and one of those hanging off the end of your muzzle would actually strain your neck.
If anyone wants to dispute this then feel free, but please give reason for your arguements. :P
Why is this? It's pretty simple really for anyone who has actually used a gas mask before. There are two major flaws with the majority of gas mask design in furry art.
Unfortunately I can't draw, so I can't show you what I mean. Hopefully you can understand what I'm saying.
1) Shape would play a major factor in gas mask design for furries. Critters with short to no muzzles (rabbits for example) would not really have a problem in this area, but those who do have long protruding muzzles (canines, lizards, etc) would definately have a problem due to length.
Most artists draw the masks as though the muzzle is covered in a single piece of moulded rubber. Although this would technically work for breathing requirements it leaves a large flaw: no jaw movement. Jaw movement would be required for conversation.
From what I can see there are really only two ways of combating this.
One is to have a large cavity below the jaw which would allow movement, but that would be impracticle and restrict downwards movement of the head.
The other option (which was suggested to me by
toy_dragon) would be to have a section of concertina style rubber beneath the muzzle which would extend downwards as the wearer spoke. This would be more practical.2) When I mentioned this to Ultrafox he also informed me that fur would be a major factor too. Gas/oxygen masks work by forming an airtight seal around the wearers face. This would be impossible with fur in the way. The only way to resolve that problem would be for the wearer to wear an NBC hood which the mask slips over.
3) This is a little addition. Gas masks for long muzzled critters would NOT have filters on the end of them. Think about it, filters are heavy and one of those hanging off the end of your muzzle would actually strain your neck.
If anyone wants to dispute this then feel free, but please give reason for your arguements. :P
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Date: 2006-12-13 11:23 pm (UTC)Old style, current-issue MOPP gear, all require the user to have a clean-shaven face so that a good seal around the edges can be attained. 'tis why Gillette got so big, they were the primary US razor supplier for WWI, specifically so that the soldiers could keep their faces clean and have a properly functioning mask. I have a set of MOPP myself, and I can tell you that even with a -tiny- amount of stubble, you're gunna be chokin' on CS the next chemmy drill you've got. Old style stays sealed throughout breathing, MOPP seals get tighter around the face as you inhale. If the rubber rests on stubble or hair, inward hairline gaps appear when you breathe in and the negative pressure of inhalation will literally 'pull' the agent inside of the mask.
But that's for real, not decorative. Decorative it doesn't matter much. :P