The gas mask of WWI

      The gas mask looks quite tame from pictures, but to really wear it, you might think differently.

     Before soldiers went out to battle they would have to shave their beards. If their beards weren't shaved, and they got into a gas attack, then their gas mask would not fully fit on their face, and they would be exposed to the chemical.

     At the beginning of the war, gas masks were not very good at all. They did not have filters, so it would not keep the gas out. As the war dragged on, and gas attacks became more frequent. More and better gas masks were made. These masks had glass eye-pieces, a hose connected to a oxygen tank, a built-in filter, and they were fully enclosed.

   
     There were also gas masks that could fit dogs and horses. In fact, if there was a gas attack the gas masks were to be put on the dog and the horse before they were put on the soldiers. The animals were considered helpless, so they were put before the needs of human life.

     The gas mask was a very hard thing to deal with. It would suction over your face, in a sense, and would cause a lot of sweating. As a result, the mask would keep sliding down. It was also very claustrophobic. The person would have to keep from pulling the mask off to get fresh air. If they did, the gas would get into their mask and not be of any affect.



           This shows the aerial view of a gas attack.