Over the past few months, I have grown a full beard. I've never done that before; but at the ripe old age of 61, it's nice not shaving. I realize, however, that a beard becomes a real problem if TSHTF. . .
Beards prevent Nuclear, Chemical, Biological (NBC) Protective Masks from sealing. Those masks cannot seal around your face if you have whisker stubble or a beard. If the mask cannot seal, then it cannot protect you.
Now, I know some of you will immediately tell me "but firemen have beards, and they go into smoke filled environments." Yes, some firemen DO have beards and they DO go into smoke filled environments with masks on . . . . BUT . . . . they are wearing air tanks that provide "positive pressure" to the mask, so that if there is any non-sealed area, the air in the mask has outward air pressure to keep the bad stuff blowing out.
WE - you and me - do NOT have air tanks and do NOT have "positive pressure" inside our masks. So our beards, whiskers, stubble, becomes a very dangerous thing because without positive pressure, the bad stuff can get into the mask when we inhale.
Just reminding all of you . . . . in case.
Please pass this story along on YOUR social media or email lists. I'm pretty sure absolutely NO ONE is thinking about this right now.
