# What Sort of Mask do I Need for a Riot? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 11, 2019, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627 "2019-10-11T12:05:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/1 "2019-10-11T12:05:23Z")
I just saw a pictorial guide for what the well-dressed Hong Kong protesters are wearing. [-=linky=-](https://i.imgur.com/6O5zD00.png) I suppose the main thing is to not stand out and use helmets, masks and clothing as much as possible to disrupt efforts to identify particular people. But my mind turns to the gas mask. What sort would one need? Ideally a full-face mask that covers the eyes. A “real” gas mask would be best. What about the sort used by painters? What about simple gauze? I admit I have never given it much thought before. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/2 "2019-10-11T14:15:20Z")
You can get [those replaceable cartridge filter masks by 3M for pretty cheap](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007JZ1N00/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_S0iODb9ADFWZ6), but the real question depends on what tear gas (CS) actually is categorized as. [3M sells a LOT of various filters that are compatible](https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/565214O/3m-cartridge-filter-guide-and-brochure.pdf), although according to the CDC, you want an organic vapor filter of some kind and a pretty high filtration particulate filter (N100) > **[CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - alpha-Chloroacetophenone](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0119.html)** > > 2-Chloroacetophenone, Chloromethyl phenyl ketone, Mace®, Phenacyl chloride, Phenyl chloromethyl ketone, Tear gas Colorless to gray crystalline solid with a sharp, irritating odor. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/3 "2019-10-11T14:20:59Z")
How about a [Guy Fawkes paintball mask](https://www.amazon.com/Gmasking-Vendetta-Airsoft-Paintball-Halloween/dp/B019MWFXS0/)? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/4 "2019-10-11T14:36:32Z")
It’s getting difficult to keep up with the political unrest. I already keep a yellow vest in the car in case I run across a protest. Now I’ll have to get a gas mask. Be cool if they made those in the shape of a Darth Vader helmet. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/5 "2019-10-11T14:42:35Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > But my mind turns to the gas mask. What sort would one need? Ideally a full-face mask that covers the eyes. A “real” gas mask would be best. What about the sort used by painters? What about simple gauze? You’re trying to block certain gases and fine particulates, so simple gauze will be inadequate to this task; you need a filter rated for for the job. “P100” is a pretty common type of filter that blocks 99.97% of airborne particles at the 0.3-micron size (and generally does better for larger and smaller particle sizes), and their performance isn’t diminished by oily mists. You’ll also need the ability to absorb organic vapors, which generally means a cartridge packed with activated charcoal (as opposed to a simple mechanical filter). Tear gas, as the name suggests, affects the eyes along with the respiratory system. A simple half-mask respirator, by itself, wouldn’t provide adequate protection. Goggles along with the half-mask would do it, but they can’t be the typical chem-lab goggles, since these have anti-fogging vents that would admit tear gas to the eyes. You’d want some kind of swim goggles, since these would completely isolate the eyes from exposure. And since your half-mask respirator will already be covering your nose, that means you need eyes-only swim goggles, i.e. the type seen in competitive swimming (as opposed to snorkeling). These will likely compromise your peripheral vision, degrading your situational awareness, so a standard full-face respirator might be a better solution for survival in a venue that is rife with physical hazards. I was surprised to see that full-face respirators are so affordable, as little as $40 on Amazon. That’s about the total you’d pay for a decent half-mask respirator and swim goggles together. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/6 "2019-10-11T15:06:38Z")
Need answer fast? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/7 "2019-10-11T15:20:26Z")
Thanks to **Machine Elf.** Thanks to you all. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/8 "2019-10-11T15:35:41Z")
As an aside, people can also be identified [by their gait](https://apnews.com/bf75dd1c26c947b7826d270a16e2658a?) (among other things). So the _au currant_ protester needs facial concealment, a respirator (full face best), an untraceable route home, and a practised limp. ETA: A ‘reversible’ jacket would be a fine accoutrement. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/9 "2019-10-11T15:50:58Z")
Don’t forget adequate gloves: you don’t want to pick up those hot CS canisters with bare hands when you throw them back at the cops. Not sure what to do about the dyes they add to the water cannon, but you wouldn’t be wearing your best clothes to a riot anyway. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/10 "2019-10-11T17:09:20Z")
When I was in London in 1999 we found ourselves in the middle of Mayday riots. Quie something, the riot squad police galloping by on big horses with horse-armour type riot gear on. When we go on the subway (tube) there were three or four young fellows talking among each other about how they’d trashed the McDonalds (did they ever!) and they were busy changing their shirts, hats, shoes - apparently even back then the police would try to match people up from station entrance and exit cameras by the clothing they wore to get good face shots (Plus find which station was near their home). (Same was done with security footage for the Vancouver Stanley Cup riots - match people by clothing) Today’s systems are even more sophisticated, apparently - given a large collection of videos, it can follow particular persons based on things like clothing from one camera to the next, establishing a timeline of who was where and did what. So gas masks are not enough. The reason some HK protesters wear simple cloth face masks is to hide their faces and foil face recognition cameras. But a good rioter also brings one or more changes of clothes or wears something bland and common. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/11 "2019-10-11T17:17:46Z")
I still have a Richard Nixon mask, which might however prompt both protestors _and_ police to beat me up.\* \*assuming they even remembered who Tricky Dick was. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/12 "2019-10-11T17:24:18Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > a practised limp. Strapping some weights to one leg, or wearing a boot on one foot and a shoe on the other, ought to nicely obscure one’s natural gait. Marty Feldman: “Walk this way. Here, like this.” _\_ ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/13 "2019-10-11T17:28:05Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > As an aside, people can also be identified [by their gait](https://apnews.com/bf75dd1c26c947b7826d270a16e2658a?) (among other things). > > So the _au currant_ protester needs facial concealment, a respirator (full face best), an untraceable route home, and a practised limp. > > ETA: A ‘reversible’ jacket would be a fine accoutrement. Keep a pebble in your pocket, adding a pebble to your shoe to make you limp is an old cold war spy trick. > [@DPRK](#): > > Don’t forget adequate gloves: you don’t want to pick up those hot CS canisters with bare hands when you throw them back at the cops. > > Not sure what to do about the dyes they add to the water cannon, but you wouldn’t be wearing your best clothes to a riot anyway. Yes on the gloves, but you might want to go ahead and get a [tyvec hooded suit](https://www.amazon.com/slp/hazmat-suits/yxwaqjv5d5su8hu) with boot covers, go full on techdrone - has the advantage of not leaving behind any DNA evidence [skin flakes, oils or hairs] and you can strip it all off and stuff it into a reusable shopping bag … along with the respirator. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/14 "2019-10-11T17:31:11Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Strapping some weights to one leg, or wearing a boot on one foot and a shoe on the other, ought to nicely obscure one’s natural gait. > > Marty Feldman: “Walk this way. Here, like this.” _\_ Add a hump and then switch from one shoulder to the other so they can’t keep track of you. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/15 "2019-10-11T19:26:59Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > Keep a pebble in your pocket, adding a pebble to your shoe to make you limp is an old cold war spy trick. > Yes on the gloves, but you might want to go ahead and get a [tyvec hooded suit](https://www.amazon.com/slp/hazmat-suits/yxwaqjv5d5su8hu) with boot covers, go full on techdrone - has the advantage of not leaving behind any DNA evidence [skin flakes, oils or hairs] and you can strip it all off and stuff it into a reusable shopping bag … along with the respirator. It’s difficult to run or do anything athletic like climb fences while wearing Tyvek. ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/16 "2019-10-11T19:55:22Z")
Fashionable, but functional ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/17 "2019-10-11T20:39:12Z")
What about one of those old time-y creepy bird gas masks: > **[Raxwalker Plague Doctor Mask Retro Steampunk Halloween Costume Long Nose Bird...](https://www.amazon.com/Raxwalker-Costume-Steampunk-Cosplay-Halloween/dp/B0B41D9YNQ)** > > Buy Raxwalker Plague Doctor Mask Retro Steampunk Halloween Costume Long Nose Bird Beak Cosplay Props(Black) at Amazon. Customer reviews and photos may be available to help you make the right purchase decision! ---
**Author:** ![steatopygia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steatopygia/32/3132_2.png) [@steatopygia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steatopygia)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/18 "2019-10-11T21:14:39Z")
Don’t be selfish. This is a Peoples protest after all. Also what better way to blend in than if everyone looks alike.[Box of six Tyvek](https://www.amazon.com/DuPont-Disposable-Protective-Coverall-Respirator-Fit/dp/B00821JE4W?th=1)suits $30.99 on Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/19 "2019-10-12T01:48:06Z")
The HazMat suit would make you noticeable. “Everybody keep an eye on the guy in the white suit.” As for the gait recognition, I would think that would be a very small threat, given the number of people involved. At this point you could arrest ten people at the office water cooler and nab eight protesters. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627/20 "2019-10-12T05:16:04Z")
How good can a protective suit really be if you can get six of them for $30? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-mask-do-i-need-for-a-riot/841627.md?page=2)