A buckle assembly (12, 50, 400, 500) for selectively connecting first and second straps (22a, b) of a personal protective device, the buckle assembly comprising: a receiver member (52, 402, 502) configured for coupling to the first strap, the receiver member including: a platform (60, 410, 510) defining a receiving surface (84, 534) and opposing, first and second ends (80,82; 530, 532), a head (62, 512) disposed over the receiving surface and defining a capture surface (112, 550) facing the second end (82, 532), wherein the head is spaced from the receiving surface to define at least a portion of a slot (70, 518), a release arm pivotally connected to the head adjacent the second end, wherein the release arm extends above the receiving surface and terminates at an actuator surface apart from the capture surface; and a latch member (54, 404, 504) configured for coupling to the second strap segment, the latch member including: a base (200, 570) defining a leading end (210, 580) opposite a trailing end, wherein the base defines an aperture (228, 592), a latch tab (202, 572) pivotally connected to the base adjacent the leading end, the latch tab extending within the aperture and terminating at a latch face (312, 602); wherein the buckle assembly is configured to provide latched state in which the latch member is disposed within the slot and the latch face is engaged with the capture surface, the latched state including the release arm disposed over a portion of the latch tab; and further wherein the buckle assembly is configured to transition from the latched state to a released state in which the latch face is disengaged from the capture surface in response to an actuation force applied to the actuator surface, characterized in that an engagement slot is defined between the release arm and the receiving surface, and further wherein the latched state includes a portion of the latch tab disposed within the engagement slot, wherein the engagement slot tapers in height in a direction of the second end. a receiver member (52, 402, 502) configured for coupling to the first strap, the receiver member including: a platform (60, 410, 510) defining a receiving surface (84, 534) and opposing, first and second ends (80,82; 530, 532), a head (62, 512) disposed over the receiving surface and defining a capture surface (112, 550) facing the second end (82, 532), wherein the head is spaced from the receiving surface to define at least a portion of a slot (70, 518), a release arm pivotally connected to the head adjacent the second end, wherein the release arm extends above the receiving surface and terminates at an actuator surface apart from the capture surface; and a platform (60, 410, 510) defining a receiving surface (84, 534) and opposing, first and second ends (80,82; 530, 532), a head (62, 512) disposed over the receiving surface and defining a capture surface (112, 550) facing the second end (82, 532), wherein the head is spaced from the receiving surface to define at least a portion of a slot (70, 518), a release arm pivotally connected to the head adjacent the second end, wherein the release arm extends above the receiving surface and terminates at an actuator surface apart from the capture surface; and a latch member (54, 404, 504) configured for coupling to the second strap segment, the latch member including: a base (200, 570) defining a leading end (210, 580) opposite a trailing end, wherein the base defines an aperture (228, 592), a latch tab (202, 572) pivotally connected to the base adjacent the leading end, the latch tab extending within the aperture and terminating at a latch face (312, 602); a base (200, 570) defining a leading end (210, 580) opposite a trailing end, wherein the base defines an aperture (228, 592), a latch tab (202, 572) pivotally connected to the base adjacent the leading end, the latch tab extending within the aperture and terminating at a latch face (312, 602); wherein the buckle assembly is configured to provide latched state in which the latch member is disposed within the slot and the latch face is engaged with the capture surface, the latched state including the release arm disposed over a portion of the latch tab; and further wherein the buckle assembly is configured to transition from the latched state to a released state in which the latch face is disengaged from the capture surface in response to an actuation force applied to the actuator surface, characterized in that an engagement slot is defined between the release arm and the receiving surface, and further wherein the latched state includes a portion of the latch tab disposed within the engagement slot, wherein the engagement slot tapers in height in a direction of the second end.