Urban Survival Planning – Biological Threat Protection

Part of your Urban Survival Planning needs to be how you are going to handle, work around or move through possibly contaminated people and environments.

We faced a recent epidemic threat with the H1N1 Flu scare. Paper and cloth respirators as well as hand sanitizers were flying off the shelves at all stores. People were keeping their children out of school. People were just plain scared.

So that the possibility of a biological hazard into a Survival Scenario were the public broadcast of such information is non-existent. You will probably be at your Urban Survival Location for a period of time after the collapse is apparent, until you make the decision to launch to your Safe Location.

What are you going to do if people approach your Urban Survival Location that for any reason you may think they are carrying a disease? What if they appear sick? What if it is a group of nice people who beg you to help their sick child? What are you doing to do if you have to move to your Safe Location and come across an area with a bunch of bodies lying around without pools of blood or without any indicator of a violent death?

The Urban Survivalist should consider putting some type of respiratory protection equipment into their Survival Gear and Equipment load list. This may be simply face, ear and eye protection with nylon raingear, rubber boots and disposable gloves. Or, you could go whole hog with Biological Protection equipment comparable to the Military Chemical-Biological Protective Suits.

At a minimum you will need to protect your muscus membranes and open orifices such as you mouth, eyes and ears from contamination. Disposable gloves and a method to disinfect the exposed parts of your body.

On the low end of the cost spectrum, three piece protection kits from 3M, Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) or other companies

MSA Three-Piece Protection Kit

Respiratory Protection is NIOSH approved to 42 CFR 84, N95 class, Safety Goggle meets the High Impact requirements of ANSI Z87.1-2003, Ear Plugs are tested in accordance with ANSI S3.19-1974.

Ideal for someone looking for “the basics” in safety, or for the convenience of a packaged kit, the 3-Piece Protection Kit is appreciated by either the do-it-yourselfer or the crew chief. The kit’s blister package can be reused to store the products when not in use, further adding to its value.

3M Paint Spray/Pestiside Respirator

Disposable; Low profile, pliable soft face plate; Pesticide and paint spray respiratory protection; Dual cartridge; Kit includes: medium size respirator, two retainers and two pre-filters







MSA Full-Facepiece Multi-Purpose Respirator

This respirator is approved by NIOSH under the new 42 CFR 84 respirator certification regulations. This Multi-purpose respirator is approved to the P100 filter class, as well as for ammonia, organic vapors, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, chlorine dioxide, sulfur dioxide, hydrogen sulfide (for escape only), formaldehyde, hydrogen fluoride, and methylamine gases.


This respirator is designed for applications that have exposures that need both eye and respiratory protection. The respirator can generally be used for higher concentrations of contaminants (exceptions do apply-contact MSA Safety Works for recommendations) than a standard half mask respirator.

MSA Phalanx™ Gas Masks

Protect against many hazards such as Biological Agents & Chemical Warfare Agents, Tear Gas, Nuisance Odor, and, Particulate and Dust.

Effective against riot control agents, including OC tear gas, the Phalanx Alpha gas mask has a dual-canister mount that allows weapon firing from either shoulder. The Phalanx Beta offers a demand-style Hycar Ultra-vue facepiece. A standard speaking diaphragm provides clear, close-range communication.



For an education on respiratory protective standards please go to MSA’s website: http://www.msanet.com/response/