The Creation of the Gas Mask
Gas masks were first made after the first deadly gas attack near Ypres in Belgium (April 22, 1915), some of the Allies were dead because of the deadly chlorine gas launched by the Germans. The British reaction after this event was really quick. After the attack they began to make some respirators from cotton mouth pads with a long cloth, which was simply tied to their faces with the long cloth. The pads provided no protection when dry, so the Black Veil could work for about five minutes against a normal concentration of chlorine.
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How Gas Masks Work
The early mask gave protection by being dipped in anti-gas chemicals that neutralized the harming gas before it was breathed. The later masks were then created to cover the eyes and neck preventing damage to those parts of the body. They also introduced carbon filters, which entangled particles before entering the mouth and nose.
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Evolution of the Gas Mask in WW1
After the first gas attacks by the Germans the British made crude masked made of cotton and a long cloth that was dipped in a solution of bicarbonate of soda (known as the black veil). Next, since there were limitations of the Black Veiling Respirator it focused British attentions on a more effective and operationally practical replacement. The result was the 'British Hypo Helmet' or, officially, the 'British Smoke Hood'. It had a wool flannel hood entirely soaked in a solution called the Hypo solution, which was a mixture of sodium hyposulfite, sodium bicarbonate and glycerine. The hood fitted the head to the shoulders and had a mica window. Finally, towards the end of the war the in 1916, the Germans added larger air filter drums to their respirators containing gas neutralizing chemicals. The allies soon added filter drums to their respirators as well. One of the most notable gas masks used during WW1 was the British Small Box Respirator or SBR designed in 1916 and the German GM-15 mask.
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Advantages and Disadvatages
The only advantages that the gas masks has were that it saved many lives from the poison gas. It had many disadvantages which were limiting the sight, making it awkward for soldiers to use their guns, and they were hard to quickly put on.