REMOVING MASK AT ALTITUDE -- There are many reasons why your oxygen mask will be removed above 20,000 feet. This has been responsible for countless "accidents" in heavy bomber crews IN advanced training and in combat. LEARN THE PROPER TECHNIC NOW, wearing heavy gloves. You can take your oxygen mask off at 30,000 feet and be as safe as you are on the ground, PROVIDING YOU HOLD YOUR BREATH and don't breathe the "thin" outside air. The following are a few of the reasons why you will remove your mask at high altitude. DON'T REMOVE YOUR GLOVES, for freezing occurs almost instantaneously and painlessly at temperatures of 30 below and lower.

  1. To wipe moisture from inside the mask at regular intervals -- for comfort and to prevent ice formation around exhaust valve.
  2. NOTE: A puddle of condensed moisture lying over the flutter valve will render it useless. You will be warned of this; when you breathe out, the air from your mask comes out the top of the mask, fogging your goggles.
  3. To blow your nose. To help clear your ears on descent by holding nose and blowing (if necessary). To vomit if you get sick.
  4. To take nourishment and hot drinks on missions.
  5. To change masks.

TECHNIC -- NEVER breathe when mask is off face or is loosened from helmet. PRACTICE THIS with a mirror: (See Fig. 2,3 & 4)

  1. Hold mask to face firmly with left hand.
  2. Disengage mask clip from helmet with right hand.
  3. Holding mask snugly in position with left hand, take 3 or 4 deep breaths of oxygen.
  4. Remove mask with left hand, HOLDING BREATH. The right hand is free to service mask, to blow nose or to administer food or drink. Hold mask in left hand.
  5. When you have to breathe, reapply mask to face making sure it is held snugly along sides of nose with index and middle finger of left hand, one on each side. of nose (hold mask in palm of hand with index and middle finger making a V, one on each side of the nose piece).
  6. Take 4 or 5 deep breaths from the mask and repeat #4.
  7. This procedure may be kept up indefinitely with complete safety, providing you DON'T BREATHE OUTSIDE AIR.

Fig. 2
MASK TECHNIC (1)

Fig. 3
MASK TECHNIC (2 & 3)

Fig. 4
MASK TECHNIC (4)