Science: Health: Disease
Face Cooling Surgical Mask   (+1)  [vote for, against]
Enlarged compartment below mask allows the breath room to cool increasing comfort.

Surgical masks are uncomfortable because you've got somebody breathing humid breath into your face from an eighth of an inch away. You.

This simple modification would mitigate that to a great extent without adding much bulk to the mask.

I've done a mockup, it would look something like a fake beard.

Although I don't think it would be necessary, a chamber leading from the mouth and nose to the cooling area where it would then be directed upwards on the outer edge of the mask to be re-breathed after having cooled off a bit.
-- doctorremulac3, Mar 16 2020

I think the goal should be to minimize re-breathing the same air. Cooling/dehumidifiying the exhaled breath will not solve the O2/CO2 issues. Extended breathing of the same air, can result in impaired physical and mental performance.
-- bs0u0155, Mar 16 2020


Hmm, see what you're saying. I guess the flat mask might have a bit more air exchange since the breath has noplace to go, it's right up against your nose and mouth.

But I'm not sure, although the cloth is further from the person's nose and mouth, it has even greater porous area through which the breath would go in and out, the only difference being that additional added space.

But that's legit, if you're re-circulating more air that's not a good thing.
-- doctorremulac3, Mar 16 2020


Well, the current system is to have a relatively large volume mask, and a valve for outflow. That's sort of the best of both worlds. You could always have the valve AND a larger exchange area that looks like a fake beard.
-- bs0u0155, Mar 17 2020


Why not have a positive-pressure filter system with a demand valve, feeding through a tracheotomy tube, and use the upper respiratory tract for vocalization and exhalation only ?
-- 8th of 7, Mar 17 2020


But with an outflow valve doesn't protect people around the mask wearer does it? It only protects the wearer. I'm thinking this would be mainly for healthcare workers that have to spend hours in these things.

But if doctors are passing out at the operating tables from lack of oxygen it might cause problems.
-- doctorremulac3, Mar 17 2020


// It only protects the wearer. //

But what else is required ? We read your words, but your meaning eludes us.
-- 8th of 7, Mar 17 2020


An outflow valve is like not wearing a mask at all as far as the people around the mask wearer is concerned.

Masks should work by blocking pathogen vectors in both directions.

I just need to make one of these and check my oxygen level while wearing it.
-- doctorremulac3, Mar 17 2020


An exhalation valve is fine and good to include, as long as it leads to another filter.

Andreas Spiess just uploaded a video the other day on blood oxygen sensors. I haven't watched it yet, but it's probably good.
-- notexactly, Mar 20 2020



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