Masks drinking tubes

The second new concept was a drinking tube. The drinking capability allowed a soldier to drink from his canteen in a contaminated battlefield without unmasking. This was considered critical because of the longer times required to wear protective gear around persistent nerve agents and the possible use of the mask in desert and tropical climates.30... 

Fig. 16-4. The M41 Protection Assessment Test System (PATS). Ambient air is assessed through the green hose. Air inside the mask is assessed through the colorless hose, which couples with the protective mask by means of the drinking tube extension. For further information, see Department of the Army. Protection Assessment Test System (PATS). Washington, DC DA 14 January 1995. Training Circular 3 41.

This mask can be used in any climatic condition, but the M4 winterization kit must be installed when used in temperatures of -20°F or below. A voice-mitter outlet valve, provided on the front of the facepiece, transmits the user s voice outside the mask. A drinking tube assembly is attached just below the voicemitter and allows the user to drink while wearing the protective mask. The drink system couples with the Ml canteen cap (Figure 16-6). 

Filtration is provided by one C2A1 canister mounted on either side of the facepiece. The primary voicemitter is located over the mouth area with a secondary voicemitter in the cheek area to utilize telephone handsets. The mask incorporates a drinking tube, which connects to the Ml canteen cap. The mask has a six-point, adjustable head harness suspension made of elastic, which comes together in the center head back into a rectangular patch of woven material. The mask comes in three sizes small, medium, and large. Accessories include a carrier bag, a butyl-coated nylon cloth hood, outserts to protect the lens in storage, and a waterproof bag. 

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