balaclava or handkerchief vs N95 mask?

Neither one will help you survive longer; noxious gasses, heat, and lock of oxygen are the killers. But if you do survive, the particulates you have inhaled will be reduced by using either, more so with the NIOSH certified mask.

Not sure about extra protection, but for me is something like a shemagh. It's tough, light and multipurpose. From tourniquet to water filter to whatever. I used one to help me breath on a "tear-gas situation" and it worked flawlessly, had not difficulties breathing (still cried like a baby-girl though). I like to travel light, so I'm not sure if I would carry a N95 mask. Of course I can always change my mind...

No question that the shemagh or a bandana are more versatile than an N-95 mask, but a folding N-95 with an exhale valve is extremely light and much more efficient at particulate removal than the normal shemagh or bandana. The N-95 will help with the particulate matter in smoke, but carbon monoxide, lack of oxygen and heat require the self contained air tank/mask units like firemen use.

Good points, AC7SS. Plus I would eat the baklava before I could escape.

Edit: Balaclava... baklava. It's all the same.

I'm of the "anything is better than nothing" school. If all I had was a hankie or buff or t-shirt, I'd use it. I keep some N95 masks in my pack. The flat folding ones hardly take up any noticeable room and only cost a buck or so each.

I prefer these that have the exhale valve. The valve ensure that breathing out is easier as well as keeps the moisture from exhale from fogging glasses, masks, etc. http://www.amazon.com/3M-Cool-Flow-...352676322&sr=8-5&keywords=n95 mask with valve

Not much use for any of the suggested items if you are caught in the fire. Some of the proposed links talk about smoke if close to a fire, mostly forrest fires, where you might be downwind. An entirely different situation than being in a burning building. Particulates which are what N95 and such are made for, are the least of your worries in a fire. Also, to be effective, NIOSH/N95/N100 or P100, etc masks have to be properly fitted. If not, you will inhale as much through the sides of the mask as through the valve.
Now if you are stuck, a wet anything over the mouth will at least control/reduce some of the heat you will inhale while breathing, one of the major causes of injury/death in fires.

You're right, I meant to write through the mask, not the valve

Its moderately better, but neither will save your life, just limit how much you cough afterwards. For me its bandana for on-person EDC, masks at home and maybe being added to EDC bag & vehicle FAKs.

My valved N95 was praised as a highly good idea, by the owner of the local homebrew store when I was grinding up the grain for my latest brew. N95 is great for dusty stuff.

A handkerchief would be ok, but you don't get the filtration that you would get with a N-95. You should look into getting some 1870 N-95. These are flat out of the package and then fold into the mask.

Get a buff (or 5). It's replaced the handkerchief in my edc. Same uses as a hanky plus more. I use it daily either wearing it or for something else .... Heck I used it on thanksgiving as a potholder!

You can get an EDC branded one in the forum store ...
http://www.jsburlys.com/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=buffsedcfgray

Google "buff" to find out the many ways you can wear one.

I always take my shemagh with me, I find it just so handy.

Lil late new comer. Your op states in a building fire . What ever you use to protect your airway short of an SCBA make sure it 100% Cotton or some fire resistant material. Remember also to always get below the smoke . Today's fires burn hotter and faster than ever ever before with today's synthetic materials and you don't want your cool fancy edc mask to melt to your face occluding your airway suffocating yourself to death , but hey at least those lungs will be preserved .


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How about a merino wool buff?

Wool makes toxic fumes when it burns.


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But wool has low flammability. And merino wool is very fine, so it probably will filter a lot. But I don’t have experience there.