【Protest Gear Buyer’s Guide】
As the police increases the
use of tear gas and non-lethal weapons, the kind of basic gear handed
out on site is no longer adequate. The following are some suggestions
of better equipment if you plan on attending these protests.
Respirators (Gas Masks)
===================
What you want is protection
against *organic vapor*. The followings are the most common types of
respirators in use at these protests.
3M 3200 is the most basic
half-face model, a single-cartridge respirator. Because it only holds a
single cartridge, you might find it difficult to breathe through while
running. Even so, it should provide sufficient protection against tear
gas when equipped with the proper cartridge. This model can only use
3000 series cartridges. (Sizing: 3100 small, 3200 medium, 3300 large)
3M 6200 is the basic
dual-cartridge half-face model. It has two cartridges and provides
better intake air flow. This model can only use 6000 series cartridges.
(Sizing: 6100 small, 6200 medium, 6300 large)
3M 6502 is the next model
up. It has a silicon face seal for comfort and the 3M Cool Flow valve
system to allow air to exit easier and keep the face cool. The 6502QL
variant has a 4-point Quick Latch system to allow the respirator to
open without removing the head straps so you can speak with people more
clearly. This model can only use 6000 series cartridges. (Sizing: 6501
small, 6502 medium, 6503 large)
3M 7502 is a newer version
of 3M 6502, made entirely of silicon for comfort. Like the 6502, it has
the 3M Cool Flow valve system. There’s no QL variant as it can support
both standard and dropdown mode use. This model can only use 6000
series cartridges. (Sizing: 7501 small, 7502 medium, 7503 large)
3M 6800 is the basic
full-face model. While the large visor provides better visibility than
the typical goggles, it’s significantly more expensive. This model can
only use 6000 series cartridges. (Sizing: 6800 small, 6700 medium, 6900
large)
The other full face-piece
models are 3M 7800 and FF400. Most local HK retailers don’t have FF400
in stock and require a special order. 3M 7800 is designed for welding,
with mounts for attaching welding shields. We won’t discuss these here.
Cartridges and Filters
================
3M respirators require both
cartridges and filters. 3M 3200 uses cartridges that have filters
built-in. The recommended cartridge model is 3M 3311, they come in
3311-K55 and 3311-K100. The K-number indicates the capacity of the
cartridge. 3M also sells a 3200 + 3311-K55 combo pack.
For 3M 6000 series, the
basic recommended cartridge is 6001, which protects against organic
vapor. You may also choose the 6003 (organic vapor/acid gas) or 6006
(multi-gas model), the other models are not effective for tear gas.
6000 series cartridges are sold in pairs. Each cartridge needs to be
used with a particle filter, for that choose the highest protection
rating P100. The most basic P100 filter is 2091, but you can choose any
P100 filter from the list. You also need a 3M 502 adaptor to mount the
filter onto each cartridge.
3M 6092x are vapor
cartridges with integrated particle filter. E.g. 60926 is 6006 + 2091
in one combined package (502 adaptor not needed). Unfortunately it
seems they are not unavailable in HK
3M 7000 series are NOT
vapor/gas cartridges, they are 2000 series particle filters in sealed
(weatherproof) package.
Most safety goggles freely
available were meant to protect against pepper spray. They often don’t
provide proper sealing for gas, nor impact protection against
projectiles. Swimming goggles are good options for better sealing, but
they won’t protect against projectiles either. Please choose safety
goggles with proper impact proection. Industrial safety goggles use
ANSI Z87.1-2015 standard. They are as follows:
Z87+: High Impact
D3: Splash and droplet
D4: Dust (dustproof, >5
micron particle)
D5: Fine Dust
(microdust-proof, <5 micron particle)
U6: UV protection (from U2
to U6 - larger number means better protection from far-UV and near-UV)
OTG means over-the-glasses.
You can wear them over eyeglasses.
Please note the type of
venting on the googles:
Direct-Vented: They have
vents so they don’t get fogged up as easily, but that means liquid and
gas can easily sip through. Don’t buy these.
Indirect-Vented: They have
covers over the vents, so they can prevent fogging yet still have some
protection against splash of liquid. Gas will still sip through.
Non-Vented: Easily fogged,
so make sure you buy one with anti-fog lens. Provide full protection
against gas and liquid.
The followings are
recommended models of safety goggles:
3M GoggleGear GG2891S-SGAF
(sealed, clear Scotchgard anti-fog lens)
Specs: ANSI Z87.1-2015 (3M
Z87+ U6 D3 D4 D5)
Bolle, model: superblast
goggles (40296 for sealed, non-vented version), Anti-fog, anti-scratch,
OTG Goggles
Specs: Z87+ D3 D4 D5 U6
Bolle, model no 40100. Clear
Sealed (non vented), Anti-fog, Anti-scratch OTG Goggles
Specs: Z87+ D3 D4 U6
Construction hats are barely
useful against baton strikes, they do not provide adaquete protection
from projectiles. Bicycle helmets will large holes also are not
advised. Mountain climbing helmet is a good place to start, aka
EN397/12492 spec. You can find them at many outdoor sporting goods
shops (Decathlon, RC Outfitters, Outlanders, Protek, etc.). They run
about a few hundred dollars.
Anecdotally, an EN12492
helmet could withstand 3 continuous assault with wooden bats that
lasted 30-60s.
If you have the extra money
to spend, you can find military-grade ballistic helmets like Team Wendy
and Ops-Core. HK Police uses Team Wendy Exfil LTP or Kask Superplasma
helmet, so you can use that as a reference point. They start at about
$2000ish and up.
(Credit: This post is a
consolidation of several popular posts from LIHKG, with some additional
contributions from our team.)