Student Handbook

M40-GAS MASK
FMST 0212
27 0CT 99

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

1.      Given a simulated combat environment (day and night), individual combat equipment, utilize the M40 Field Protective Mask (FPM) per the reference.  (FMST.02.12)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

1.      Without the aid of reference materials, given a list, identify the components and accessories of the M40 Field Protective Mask, per student handout.  (FMST.02.12a)

2.      Without the aid of reference material, given an M40 Field Protective Mask, and a simulated chemical environment, don and clear the mask, per student handout.  (FMST.02.12b)

3.      Without the aid of reference materials, given a contaminated M40 Field Protective Mask, clean the mask, per student handout.  (FMST.02.12c)

4.      When exposed to irritant gas in a chamber or simulated combat environment, and utilizing a M40 Field Protective Mask, clear the mask effectively, per instruction.  (FMST.02.12d)

5.      While a student at Field Medical Service School, complete CS chamber training, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.12e)

OUTLINE

A.      IDENTIFY THE M40 FIELD PROTECTIVE MASK.  The M40 FPM is an individual protective device used to protect the wearer’s face, eyes, and lungs against field concentrations of chemical and biological (CB) agents, toxins and radioactive fallout particles. 

B.     CHARACTERISTICS OF THE M40.

1.      The M40 FPM will not protect the wearer against industrial gases (i.e. ammonia, carbon monoxide).  It is not effective in confined spaces, where the oxygen content of the air is too low.

2.      The M40 FPM allows the wearer the capability of drinking water while worn.

3.      The M40 FPM comes in three sizes small, medium, and large.  The size mark is located on the top left portion of the mask.

C.     INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE M40 FPM.  Inspection and maintenance of the M40 FPM is the individual’s responsibility.  A semiannual inspection is mandatory.  The individual will inspect:

1.      Face-piece Assembly.  Visually inspect outside and inside for dirt, mud, or oily substances.  Check for holes, tears, splits, soft or sticky spots.

2.      Head Harness.  Check for dirt.  Check straps for cuts, tears, missing parts or fraying.  Check for loss of elasticity.

3.      Eye-lenses, Eye-rings and Out-serts.  Remove out-serts from face-piece and check eye-lenses for cracks, cuts, scratches, or discoloration that will effect vision.  Check eyerings for distortion or corrosion.  Check both sets of out-serts for cracks, chips or discoloration that effects your vision.

4.      Hood.  Examine the hood for cuts, holes, or tears.  Check straps for frays, tears, or missing hardware.  Check zipper for torn, broken, or inoperative parts.

5.      Canister.  Check canister, especially around seams, for cracks, dents, or holes.  Check air intake to make sure it is not clogged with dirt.  Check for damaged threads on the canister.

6.      Outlet Valve Disk and Outlet Valve Cover.  Check to see if outlet valve disk is present and is not curled or distorted.  Rotate outlet valve disc to make sure it is not sticking.  Check outlet valve cover for cuts, tears, or holes.  Remove any dirt or moisture.

7.      Internal/External Drink Tubes.  Check to insure cracks or cuts are present.  Insure tubes are not clogged by connecting M1 canteen cap and blowing air through system.

8.      Airflow Deflector.  Check that airflow deflector is securely mounted inside face-piece.  Check mounting holes for cuts or tears.

9.      Inlet Valve.  Check inlet valve to insure it is properly mounted on post.  Check inlet valves for cuts, holes, or tears.  Insure it is not stuck to the valve body.

10.  Nose-cup Assembly.  Check nose-cup for cracks or holes.  Check that the nose-cup is not pulled away from the back of front voice-meter housing.  Check that the nose-cup valve disks are present.  Rotate disks to make sure they are not stuck, curled, or torn.

11.  Voice-meter.  Check both voice-meters for bends, cracks, or punctures.  Make sure the beads in the center of each voice-meter are facing outward.

12.  Carrier.  Inspect carrier for torn, damaged, or missing hardware.  Check for mildew, solvents, or abrasive materials that may harm the face-piece.

13.  Waterproof Bag.  Check for cracks, tears, holes, or brittleness.  Check that rubber bands are not sticky, broken, or brittle.

14.  Optical Inserts (if issued).  Inspect for broken lenses or frame.

D.     COMPONENTS AND ACCESSORIES OF THE M40 FPM.

1.      Components of the M40 FPM are:

  1. Face-piece Assembly

  2. Eye-lenses Out-serts (clear and neutral gray).

  3. Carrier.

  4. M1 Waterproofing Bag.

  5. Hood.

  6. Face-form.

  7. Canister.

 

2.      Accessories are:

a)      Optical Inserts (issued by unit supply)

b)      M8 paper (Used to identify liquid, nerve, and blister agents).

c)      M1 Canteen Cap (issued by unit supply).

d)      M258A1/M291 Decontamination Kit.

e)      Optical Inserts.  Spectacles for FPM will be issued if bifocal correction is required to satisfactorily perform assigned duties, or if unaided binocular visual acuity is less than 20/70 or less than 20/40 in the case of military vehicle operations and less than 20/20 for flight personnel.

E.      DONNING AND CLEARING M40 FPM.

1.      Stop breathing and close your eyes, open carrier with your left hand and hold open.  With your right hand grab the face-piece and remove from carrier.  Place your chin in chin-pocket of the face-piece.  Cover the opening at the bottom of outlet valve with the palm of one hand.  Breathe out hard so that the air escapes around the edges of the face-piece.  Tighten straps and adjust.

F.       FILTER ELEMENTS FOR THE M40 FPM.

1.      There is a standard type of canister with NATO standard threads.  It can be screwed on either the left or right side of the face-piece assembly;  based on the individuals shooting style (left-handed or right-handed).  In an emergency, this filter can be changed while wearing the mask.

G.     USING THE DRINKING SYSTEM.

  1. Prior to using the drinking system, use M8 chemical agent detector paper to check for contamination.  If contamination is detected, decontaminate drinking tube and M1 canteen cap, with the M258A1 decontamination kit.  Recheck with M8 paper.

  2. By pressing in on the top of the outlet valve, the internal drinking tube can be grasped between your teeth.

  3. Pull the quick disconnect coupling out of the outlet valve cover.

  4. Remove cap cover from canteen (decontaminate if necessary).

  5. With the canteen right side up, insert the quick connect coupling into the canteen cap and blow air into the drinking system to create positive pressure within the canteen.

  6. Raise and invert canteen and drink.

  H.     ADJUSTING FACE PIECE AT INITIAL FITTING.  With the individual standing, a second person check for proper fit according to the following order of importance:

1.      Edge of the face-piece comes up to the forehead but not into the hairline and within 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the ear.

2.      Temple straps and cheek straps do not cut into the ears.

3.      Eye pupils are centered in eye-lenses.

4.      Face-piece does not press flesh so tightly that eyes are partly closed.

5.      Bottom of face-piece does not cut into the throat.

6.      Skin in front of the ears is not wrinkled.

7.      Nose-cup does not obscure vision or cut into nose.

8.      If the face-piece is hard to fit, try another size (there are three sizes: small, medium, and large).

I.        WASH THE M40 FPM.

1.      Wash mask anytime it needs cleaning.  A white or rust colored waxy film is not dirt, it is from the preservatives built in the rubber.  It will bleed off as long as the face-piece is good.

2.      Required materials; soft cloths, soft bristle brushes, warm soapy water, and warm clear water or M258A1 kit.

3.      Remove voice-meter, outlet valve cover and disk, inlet valve assemblies, and eye lens out-serts.

4.      Do not remove filter elements.  Insure pouch flaps are buttoned.  Keep water away from inlet valve connectors.

5.      Dip clean, soft cloth in warm soapy water and wring it out.  Wash mask inside and out.  Wash voice-meter, outlet valve cover, and inlet valve assemblies.  Be careful with rubber disks.

6.      Rinse cloth in clear, warm water and wring it out.  Wipe all washed parts.

7.      Dry all parts and mask with dry, soft cloth.  Use brush in hard to get areas.

8.      Replace parts taken off.  Make sure rubber disks are snug and flat.  Clean lenses using plastic polish or warm, soapy water.

REFERENCES:

Medical Considerations of NBC Warfare

NBC Defense, FMFM 11-1

NBC Defense, FM 21-40

NBC Decontamination, FMFM 11-10

Field Medical Service School
Camp Pendleton, California

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