An exhale valve assembly configured to be operably connected to a mask and having an inlet end configured to accept exhaled air and an outlet end configured for egress of accepted exhaled air from the exhale valve assembly, the exhale valve assembly comprising: a housing having a cavity disposed therein; a valve carrier body disposed in the cavity and having a passageway extending along a length of the valve carrier body; and a primary valve including a body, a first air flow path passing through the passageway of the valve carrier body; characterised by: the primary valve further including an opening, the primary valve mounted to the valve carrier body with the opening disposed circumferentially around the valve carrier body, wherein a second air flow path passes through the body of the primary valve; a secondary valve disposed in the cavity proximate the outlet end, the secondary valve configured to inhibit the entry of air from a surrounding atmosphere via the outlet end. a plunger disposed at least partially within the valve carrier body and movable between a first position and a second position, the plunger comprising a blocking plate configured to permit the exhaled air through the first air flow path when the plunger is in the first position and to direct the exhaled air through the second air flow path when the plunger is in the second position; a lock assembly operably connected to the plunger and configured to secure the plunger in the first position; and an air pressure activated actuator assembly disposed within the cavity and comprising a pressure sensitive member biasable in a pressure actuation direction responsive to a pressure change in the cavity, the air pressure activated actuator assembly operably connected to the lock assembly and configured to release the lock assembly responsive to the pressure change within the cavity of the housing. a housing having a cavity disposed therein; a valve carrier body disposed in the cavity and having a passageway extending along a length of the valve carrier body; and a primary valve including a body, a first air flow path passing through the passageway of the valve carrier body; characterised by: the primary valve further including an opening, the primary valve mounted to the valve carrier body with the opening disposed circumferentially around the valve carrier body, wherein a second air flow path passes through the body of the primary valve; a secondary valve disposed in the cavity proximate the outlet end, the secondary valve configured to inhibit the entry of air from a surrounding atmosphere via the outlet end. a plunger disposed at least partially within the valve carrier body and movable between a first position and a second position, the plunger comprising a blocking plate configured to permit the exhaled air through the first air flow path when the plunger is in the first position and to direct the exhaled air through the second air flow path when the plunger is in the second position; a lock assembly operably connected to the plunger and configured to secure the plunger in the first position; and an air pressure activated actuator assembly disposed within the cavity and comprising a pressure sensitive member biasable in a pressure actuation direction responsive to a pressure change in the cavity, the air pressure activated actuator assembly operably connected to the lock assembly and configured to release the lock assembly responsive to the pressure change within the cavity of the housing. the primary valve further including an opening, the primary valve mounted to the valve carrier body with the opening disposed circumferentially around the valve carrier body, wherein a second air flow path passes through the body of the primary valve; a secondary valve disposed in the cavity proximate the outlet end, the secondary valve configured to inhibit the entry of air from a surrounding atmosphere via the outlet end. a plunger disposed at least partially within the valve carrier body and movable between a first position and a second position, the plunger comprising a blocking plate configured to permit the exhaled air through the first air flow path when the plunger is in the first position and to direct the exhaled air through the second air flow path when the plunger is in the second position; a lock assembly operably connected to the plunger and configured to secure the plunger in the first position; and an air pressure activated actuator assembly disposed within the cavity and comprising a pressure sensitive member biasable in a pressure actuation direction responsive to a pressure change in the cavity, the air pressure activated actuator assembly operably connected to the lock assembly and configured to release the lock assembly responsive to the pressure change within the cavity of the housing.