It is intresting to watch the bids for home security items such as gas masks.  People want to protect themselves and there familys if something unthinkable were to happen, but will the gas mask work?

    There are some simple rules to follow when looking to buy a working gas mask that will protect an individual from chemical and biological agents.  First off, Don't buy Russian masks. Many sellers sell Russian made masks that "look cool" and say they will protect agains NBC (nuclear biological chemical). However most if not all of these masks are not reliable or just simply don't work at all.  They are cool to look at and thats about it, if you disagree with me, then be my guest and buy one, but i'd rather not risk it.  So, rule number one, stay away from russian masks.
    Second rule i would follow is no vintage.  Gas masks only have a certain life span, once the masks rubber starts to loose its stretch and in some casses form cracks, that mask is now useless.  The valve system can become leaky and need replacing.  Vintage gear was made a long time ago and its not worth staking your life on whether or not it will actually work!
    Finally the third rule, If you going to use this as a means of protecting your family you dont want to be fooling around with which one looks cooler, or "gee theres so many lets just pick one".  The latest mask in the best condition from a source you trust is the prime way to go.  Allot of troops are comming back from Iraq and bringing there masks with them. There are called the M-40/45 gas mask. Just search m40 or m 40 gas mask and you will see a number of them come up.  Most sellers are just selling there old gear as is. Others actually make a hobby of fixing up masks by replacing valves and other hardware to ensure proper function.  You want to make sure to ask the seller what the condition is, and if it is functional.  Even after you buy an m40, still have it checked out if you can.   It is important to make contact with the seller and find out the masks history.
    You will see in auctions that masks will come with filters attached to the mask, or out of there original packaging, and the seller will say "new filter". Well a filter out of its original container is at max only good for 12 months, and thats at max, with no use.  If the filter is out of the original container, then you will also have to buy a new sealer filter.  You wouldnt want a great mask made useless with a bad filter.  Also make sure the filter your buying will fit your mask. Most modern masks take the NATO standard.
    I hope this has been useful to some people who are thinking about getting a mask, if not, well thanks for reading.