Honestly you can seal with a beard. Not sure if they have gotten better over the years or it was more precautionary in the beginning. I have gotten an air tight seal many times with a beard.
When gas masks first came about in WW1, you absolutely could not seal them with a beard in the way. So the beard ban was justified, at least in the beginning. But over the years, mask sealing has improved drastically (I'll bet the biggest improvements have been the materials/methods used for manufacturing), and the beard ban has remained. It's probably about time for it to go.
Oddly enough the beard that can be the hardest to seal is the 2 day stubble. It sticks straight out instead of laying down making it more likely to lift the seal. Or at least so I have been told. Though I would guess that ZZ Top might not get a good seal either
7 Comments
BeardyGrumps@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 2y
Nice.. Are they also going to redesign the respirators so you get a nice snug fit with the beard as well?
Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Honestly you can seal with a beard. Not sure if they have gotten better over the years or it was more precautionary in the beginning. I have gotten an air tight seal many times with a beard.
ZapBeebz_@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
When gas masks first came about in WW1, you absolutely could not seal them with a beard in the way. So the beard ban was justified, at least in the beginning. But over the years, mask sealing has improved drastically (I'll bet the biggest improvements have been the materials/methods used for manufacturing), and the beard ban has remained. It's probably about time for it to go.
Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
True, there wasn't any silicone rubber in WW1
FireTower@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Can confirm. I've also gotten a seal with a beard.
Maybe if you've got a crazy thick one or a neck beard you might have issues
Everythingispenguins@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y
Oddly enough the beard that can be the hardest to seal is the 2 day stubble. It sticks straight out instead of laying down making it more likely to lift the seal. Or at least so I have been told. Though I would guess that ZZ Top might not get a good seal either
bop_bimmy@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
Wait, so the British Navy can have beards, but not the Army?