[edit] Advantages and Disadvantages:
The main advantage is its ease of use. This gas mask does not have a heavy and bulky box that interferes with driving a tank and running. When shooting, it is inconvenient to aim with a machine gun or rifle, since the cheek with the filter rests on the butt. The spectacle assembly provides a good view (but much worse than that of full-face masks with panoramic glass), the glasses do not fog up thanks to the mask. The intercom allows you to communicate without speech distortion. There are two serious drawbacks: the small resource of the filters and the inconvenience of replacing them, since the filters are located in the "cheeks".
The gas mask was developed for use in the Airborne Forces, since the location of the filters inside the mask reduces the disruption of the mask by parachute lines (when landing in a place with an unbreathable atmosphere). Because of this, changing the filter in a polluted atmosphere without removing the mask is not possible at all; small sorption capacity of small filters reduces protective action time, which is extremely difficult to determine.
Efficiency
The boxless filtering gas mask is effective against biological weapons, SDYAV, dust, pesticides, aerosols. The gas mask becomes ineffective after 20 minutes of operation, when the filters run out.
After that, it can still protect against dust and aerosols, but it becomes useless against chemical warfare agents. The use of a gas mask against organophosphorus substances (sarin, tabun, soman, V-gases, etc.) is only partially effective, since these substances can penetrate the body through the skin bypassing the respiratory system.
Gas mask PBF "Hamster" is not able to protect a person from electromagnetic radiation, streams of elementary particles, etc. physical influences.
What it is?
"Hamster" is a boxless filtering model of a gas mask that is highly effective against various hazardous substances. The use of this PBP when exposed to organophosphorus substances, such as V-gases, tabun, sarin, soman, is only partially effective, since all these substances tend to penetrate into the human body through the skin bypassing the respiratory system. In addition, the "Hamster" is not able to protect a person from the effects of streams of elementary particles and electromagnetic radiation, nor will it protect against impacts.
A special feature of PBF is a rubber mask, which is made in white and black colors. At the same time, the black mask is more elastic, since it is much easier to stretch and, accordingly, put on.
Regardless of the color, the mask has a rubber mattress topper, it fits snugly to the soft tissues of the face and thus creates obstacles to the inhalation of air to the glasses - accordingly, the Hamster glasses do not sweat during use and do not interfere with the view. The mattress topper is fixed on the valves of the intercom mechanism, as well as on the pockets located inside, where the main filter elements are located.
The model provides for two elliptical filters, each of them, in turn, includes a pair of bags formed from a multi-layer cloth - it freely passes air, but at the same time effectively retains all hazardous components.
The main advantage of the Khomyak gas masks, which determined its popularity among tankers and among the command staff of the army, was the ease of use. This PBF, unlike many other models, does not have a massive heavy box that can interfere in the tight space of the tank and create discomfort during firing.You can run freely in the "Hamster" gas mask, since it does not interfere with movement at all, the special design of the spectacle assembly creates maximum visibility.
Convenient communication mechanism allows users to communicate with you even when wearing a gas mask without any speech distortion.
The model is small in size, practical and reliable.
However, it was not without its drawbacks - this device has two of them. The first is a relatively short period of use. The device remains active for only 20 minutes, then the filter's working life ends, that is, the gas mask becomes completely ineffective.
The second disadvantage is the inconvenience of replacing the filter blocks. In order to replace a failed filter with a new one, it is necessary to turn the gas mask inside out, then unfasten the mask holder and only then update the cleaning parts.
Purpose and design
PBF is intended to protect the face, eyes, respiratory system from biological aerosols, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals and dust, including radioactive.
The PBF mask is rubber, it can be white and black. The black mask is more elastic because it is easier to put on.
The mask has a rubber undermask that fits tightly to the face and reliably prevents the penetration of exhaled air to the glass. Thus, the glass of the gas mask does not fog up.
The mask holder is attached to the valve-intercom device and to the inner pockets, which contain the filter elements.
Because of these pockets, which look like swollen cheeks from the outside, PBF got the nickname "hamster". There are two filter elements, each of them has an elliptical shape and consists of two bags of multilayer fabric, through which air easily passes, but contaminants are retained.
Operation and storage rules
To bring the PBF into a firing position, you should remove the filter elements from the bags, cutting the edges of the latter. The helmet-mask is turned inside out, the mask holder is unfastened. The filter elements are placed in the pockets intended for them, the necks are brought out.
This must be done so that the FPEs are parallel to the axes of the pockets. The inspiratory valve assemblies click into place on the necks of the filter elements. The mark on the valve assembly should face up and the holes should face down. Then the mask holder is fastened.
When putting on the "Hamster", take the lower part of the mask with both hands, while the thumbs remain outside, the rest are inside the mask. Simultaneously with stretching to the sides, the gas mask is put on the chin, and then in one movement up and back - on the entire head.
In this case, there should be no folds, distortions and gaps. If any, they are eliminated, after which a deep exhalation is made and normal breathing continues.
In warehouses, gas masks are stored in sealed boxes or special cabinets at a certain temperature and humidity. At home, the gas mask is stored disassembled, packed, away from walls, heaters, stoves or radiators.
The optimum storage temperature is 5 to 15 degrees.
At high temperatures, rubber ages quickly, becomes brittle and breaks easily. Frost makes the rubber rough and less elastic. Excessive humidity will damage the filters. Sudden temperature changes cause moisture condensation inside the filters and have the same effect as high air humidity.
If the device has been exposed to rain, dry all parts thoroughly before folding it. After each use, the valve device and the mask holder are also wiped dry.
At present, the PBF gas mask is considered obsolete, it has been removed from service with the army of the Russian Federation, and the samples in service are sent for disposal. Among the "survivalists" "Hamster" is very popular, becauseis lightweight, easy to use, does not restrict movement when walking, shooting and running.
We bring to your attention an interesting video review of the PBF "Khomyak" gas mask.