Patent ID: 6478025
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: A62B

Abstract:
An apparatus for protecting an individual from elements associated with a firefighting site, comprising:a face mask comprising: an annular rim; a seal member secured to the annular rim and adapted for sealing engagement with the individual's face; and a face plate extending across the annular rim providing visibility to the individual and cooperating with the annular rim and the seal member to form a breathing chamber when the seal member is in sealing engagement with the individual's face; a firefighting hood constructed of a flexible, fire resistant material and configured to be extendible over the head of the individual, the firefighting hood having a face opening for exposing the individual's face to the breathing chamber of the face mask, the face opening defined by an annular edge, the annular edge of the firefighting hood positioned against the face mask in an overlapping relationship; and connecting means secured to at least a portion of each of the firefighting hood and the face mask for detachably connecting the firefighting hood to the face mask so as to secure the annular edge of the firefighting hood to the face mask in the overlapping relationship to prevent exposure of the individual's head to the high heat environment associated with a firefighting site.