Canada seals the deal for soldiers with beards by developing hood for gas mask

Earlier this year we saw a relaxation in rules on beards in the British Army, but this does create a problem - the gas masks don’t fit.

Without a clean-shaven face, it's impossible to create an adequate seal, with the same problem persisting for personnel who wear headscarves, have big hair or uniquely shaped faces.   But Canada thinks it has solved this problem.

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Scientists have created a hood that fits over the CBRN suit that provides protection against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents. 

"We've essentially produced an accessory to the in-service respirator that is a hood that would tightly snug and fit onto the person, creating a clear air chamber inside," Dr Paul Bodurtha, the lead scientist on the programme, told Forces News.

The hood, named the C5B, is lined with an aerosol filtration membrane for extra protection, similar to that used in the more robust masks used against Covid-19.

It creates a clean air chamber around the head, so the beard, headdress or hair does not prevent a good seal being created.   Defence Research and Development Canada worked with the Canadian army, industry partner AirBoss Defense and the Royal Military College of Canada to develop and test the new respirator hood design.   The trials so far have shown the C5B provides up to 300 times better protection for people with beards, headdresses and unique face shapes than the current respirator.

Protection is sufficient for training, although more research is required to develop the respirator for operational use.   Canada is the first Nato country to look into it, with some other armed forces now following suit.