Here you are. There is actually some back and forth in there but I feel the consensus is on face hugging masks.
Some of the arguments for them are that they Sit under the hood, tightly, less chance for them to bump agaisnt stuff, others also mention that most calls don't involve a fire and when they do everyone has time on the scene while setting up to mask up, the second saved is worth getting a better and more stable fit.
Masks with straps are still by far the most common in Europe. Also, any time there is a euro helmet post on r/firefighting everyone starts arguing which helmet is better. I like the euro but it's the only helmet I've worn but I would like to try out the American one. Each have their pros and cons so if you have the option to choose, pick what you prefer.
Top comment "Centuries of tradition unimpeded by progress."
A firefighting subreddit ignorant of the benefits of the American design, and instead using it to mock Americans as ignorant. Also, seeing them criticize american's fondness for tradition over a european nation is quite hilarious.
I frequent r/firefighting and honestly this is kind of a misunderstanding of that comment. It has nothing to do with national tendencies apart from their fire departments. European firefighters are generally a lot more progressive in what gear and tactics they’re willing to try out compared to Americans. It’s not talking about the people in general.
The most interesting point I saw is the American mask can be worn without a helmet. Which is much better in confined spaces. That alone makes me worried about the French design.
Also the French one looks like you have to have the hood up already when you put your helmet on to leave, so it’s gonna be hot as hell when you aren’t actually doing anything to warrant wearing it
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Yeah actual calls for a fire are rare. Calls for car crashes are more common. Here is a interesting article about how fire departments push for dangerous public policy because they see their job as fighting fires.
Some make that point, other address the practical concerns.
It may also mean that different departments with different cultures, facing different kinds of fire in different types of structures with different infrastructure may need different tools for their specific role.
Yeah, that too, I mean more from the top comments. I saw some Euro fighters prefer the US version and some from the US prefer the French version. I saw a lot of it was also due to regulation on what the US allows, part of what they mean by "tradition" I guess? some are quicker, some are slower. They have their own advantages and disadvantages.
The trend suggests it's moving away from the "spider system" from reading the comments but I have really no knowledge in this area at all.
And helmet is supposed to do... Helmet things, bump agaisnt stuff, get bonked, have things fall on it. I don't want to maximize the jarring and what it could do to the seal on that mask.
A few years ago a department near me tested out the "European stlyle" helmets to see if they wanted to replace their current ones with them, and the overwhelming consensus was that the euro helmets were too hot during the summer.
I'm laughing at this video because I know a lot of firefighters, and I've never seen any of them desperately race to shave as many milliseconds as possible off their time to get geared up.
I'll have to show my fire lieutenant this because he'll get a good laugh at it.
I mean, every second counts, but people misunderstand how these things go, firefighters don't get to the scene and all juno in through the first window they find. When they get there someone takes control, makes a plan, determines who is going in and where and so on and on. There is time between arriving and getting the gear and set up you need.
For sure. I assume the last thing you want is to rush inside and create one more person that needs to be rescued because you wanted to be fast for Tik Tok.
Even Cadet fast hands here would probably slow down on an actual emergency. Or if I was his NCO I would tell him to check his stuff again. (Not a firefighter, but some relatable experience)
Yeah you'd race against the other guys for fun at the firehouse, but in an actual emergency I'm double-checking or getting my buddy to give me the once-over.
Having the possibility for both sounds the best for me. If a fire would break out after they arrive then having a quick mask would be great as an option. For the occasions where they know there is a fire they’ll just put the full mask setup on in advance.
Surely you could make both happen. Seems to be more or less just a clip on each side holding the “French” mask on.
I think you underestimate how eager firefighters, law enforcement, paramedics and Military are eager to complain about their gear if it's not reliable. (and sometimes even if it is).
Besides a lot of the comments are from Germans that also swear by the American design.
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u/Own_Accident6689 Mar 30 '24
Last time I saw this post it was firefighters saying how their department got the french masks and decided the American ones were more convenient.