ChatGPT is one of the most popular generative AI chatbots. It';s a good tool for many tasks‚ especially now that it doesn';t require a login to work. You could just as easily use Microsoft';s Copilot (based on ChatGPT)‚ Google';s Gemini‚ or Anthrophic';s Claude for similar experiences.These AI models can understand your text and/or voice prompts and provide answers to your questions. And they can help with more complex tasks‚ like generating code.Furthermore‚ we have text-based AI programs that can generate and edit images. Or tools that can make music out of prompts. The point is that GenAI has evolved so much in a little over a year that there are plenty of products to choose from.Most of these GenAI products are available for free. Access to the latest large language models and newest features might need a paid subscription.So‚ how do you find the right tool for you? Well‚ there';s a website called What AI Can Do Today that can help with that.Continue reading...The post Tell this site what you want to do‚ and itll recommend the best AI for the job appeared first on BGR.Today';s Top DealsTodays deals: $19 AirTags‚ solar eclipse glasses‚ $199 AirPods Pro 2‚ Keurig coffee makers‚ moreBest deals: Tech‚ laptops‚ TVs‚ and more salesAmazon Big Spring Sale: 40 best-selling deals you need to seeDreo ChefMaker was a game-changer in my kitchen find out why Im obsessed

Donald Trump';s campaign is expecting to raise more than $40 million Saturday when major donors gather for his biggest fundraiser yet.

Upgrade your classic pigs in a blanket with this recipe for brats in a blanket. Perfect for a party or game day snack‚ these bratwursts wrapped in flaky pastry are sure to be a hit!Im sharing #SausageFamily in my life as part of a Johnsonville sponsored series for SocialstarsBrats in a Blanket are a fun and exciting way to celebrate Bratsgiving- National Bratwurst Day on August 16th. They are like a grown-up‚ super-sized version of Pigs in a Blanket. But dont worry. The kids will love them. They are so juicy and tasty.I used Johnsonville Firecracker Brats‚ my new favorite Bratwurst flavor. They have just the right amount of heat and are so flavorful and delicious.Ingredients NotesBrats I use Johnsonville Brats. They have different flavors of brats. Use any flavor you like.Puff Pastry Crescent dough can be used instead but you cant beat the buttery flakiness of puff pastry.Swiss Cheese you can use cheddar cheese‚ provolone cheese‚ or mozzarella cheese instead.Dijon Mustard spicy or Creole mustard can be used instead.Sauerkraut be sure to drain it well so it doesnt get the puff pastry soggy.Egg brushing the puff pastry with egg wash helps get it extra golden and crispy.Caraway Seeds poppy seeds or everything bagel seasoning can be substituted for caraway seeds.First I grilled them to give them that awesome grill-flavor. I let them cool and wrapped them in puff pastry with swiss cheese‚ mustard‚ and sauerkraut.You could also use crescent roll dough‚ but I love how buttery and crispy the puff pastry gets.Note: 5 Brats come in a package of Johnsonville Brats‚ but I couldnt think of a good way to cut a sheet of puff pastry into 5 pieces that would fully wrap around the brats. So you will have one brat leftover. If someone doesnt eat it up right away‚ save it in the refrigerator. You can chop it up and add it to mac and cheese or to a grilled cheese sandwich. Talk about delicious!!Storage and FreezingBrats in a Blanket are best eaten shortly after being made but you can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days and reheat in a 350 degree oven or air fryer. Assembled Brats can be frozen for up to a month. To cook brats from frozen they will need a little extra time. If they are getting too brown‚ cover loosley with foil.More Recipes Using BratsCrock Pot Reuben BratsGrilled Brats with Southern ToppingsJalapeno Beer BratsSlow Cooker Beer BratsBratwurst Mac and Cheese PrintBrats in a BlanketGrilled Brats wrapped up in puff pastry with swiss cheese and sauerkraut and baked until golden.Course LunchCuisine AmericanKeyword sausagePrep Time 20 minutes minutesCook Time 20 minutes minutesTotal Time 40 minutes minutesServings 4 servingsAuthor Christin MahrligEquipmentRimmed Baking SheetParchment PaperIngredients1 package Johnsonville Brats1 sheet frozen puff pastry‚ defrosted according to package directions6 slices swiss cheese4 teaspoons Dijon mustard1 cup sauerkraut‚ drained well1 egg1 teaspoon caraway seeds‚ optionalInstructionsGrill brats according to package directions. Let cool.Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Place puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and roll out slightly. When cut in quarters‚ each piece should be about as long as a bratwurst.Cut puff pastry into 4 equal quarters. Place on prepared baking sheet.Place 1 1/2 slices Swiss cheese to cover each piece of puff pastry.Spread 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard on top of cheese for each piece of puff pastry.Arrange 1/4 cup sauerkraut down the center of each piece and place the bratwursts on top.Roll puff pastry around bratwurst and place seam side down.Whisk egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush egg mixture across the top of the puff pastry.Sprinkle with caraway seeds.Place in oven and bake for 20 to 24 minutes‚ or until golden brown.Serve with mustard.NotesTo make spicy‚ add a few pinches of crushed red peppers to the sauerkraut.Want to Save This Recipe?Save This RecipeOriginally posted August 10‚ 2016.The post Brats in a Blanket appeared first on Spicy Southern Kitchen.

U.S. Dorks across the nation have begun helpfully identifying themselves for the general populace by all wearing solar eclipse glasses.

The mysterious Philistine civilization‚ thriving in the Iron Age (around 1200-604 BCE)‚ significantly influenced the cultural heritage‚ farming practices‚ and eating habits of the southern...

The blue dragon may be too weak to resist the ocean';s current‚ but it can take on a Portuguese man o';war and even steal its venom.

In 1973‚ scientists using the supersonic Concorde jet extended totality to 74 minutes by flying almost as fast as the moon';s shadow was moving across Earth.

Missed the other parts? Find them here: Check out Part 1 Part 2 is here. Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 And heres Part 6 Dear Diary‚ Its me‚ Jessica. It is official. We are out of toilet paper. Despite rationing starting about a month after the power went out‚ we could only make it go so far. Mom stood with the last empty cardboard roll held on her index finger. Dad and I stopped eating our breakfast as the news sunk in. The kitchen was suddenly very quiet. Dad broke the silence‚ suggesting we hold a service for the roll‚ he would give eulogy. I rolled my eyes. Mom said something about Dad jokes and threw the roll at him. We were fortunate to have gone this long as some of the neighbors ran out months ago. We have heard what they were doing in the meantime. Seems the best method was to use some kind of squirt bottle to rinse the dirty area well and then use a clean cloth to finish cleaning and dry. Then wash the cloths well with anything from bleach for those who still had some‚ to homemade soap made from lye. More than a few said it actually felt better and cleaner than the toilet paper only. Back when Jack and his team took out that gang‚ freeing Rae and the others‚ Rae‚ Kathy‚ Joanne‚ and Allison moved into the house a few doors down. Rae mentioned to Dad that the plumbing looked odd in the bathroom. Dad went over to see if there was an issue. After a moment‚ he said‚ Oh‚ its a bidet. Rae‚ Kathy‚ Joan‚‚ and Allison just looked at him questioningly. When he explained‚ they seemed to understand but were also skeptical. It worked only off of the water pressure‚ not power. Dad thought he could get it to work. After a few days of rummaging through their garage‚ ours and asking around for some other parts and borrowed a manual hand drill‚ Dad was ready to try it. I helped him carry some of the parts and hand tools to Raes. Rae tried to tell Dad it was not necessary but Rae did not know Dad that well at the time. When Dad got an idea in his head‚ he was like a dog with a bone and would not let go till the job was done. Dad disconnected the water line from the regular house plumbing and connected the bidets water line to a canister he had drilled a hole in side near the bottom. He filled the canister half way up with a gallon of water and screwed on the lid. There was another connection on top of the lid he then connected another water line to and then connected that to a air hand pump he made. Lid up‚ seat down‚ he gave the air pump a few strokes‚ then lifted the lever on the side of the bidet. The toilet bowl made a few gurgling noises. Another few pumps and he tried again. This time a stream of water shot out of the toilet bowl and right into my chest. Diary‚ okay‚ it was my own fault standing there in the line of fire‚ but I did not know I was. I still yelled‚ Daddy! He muttered‚ Might need some tweaking‚ eyeing the system he created‚ seemingly oblivious to me‚ as Joan handed me a towel. An hour later‚ he was confident it was working as designed and asked for a volunteer. No one spoke up. Rae then said‚ Fine‚ you scaredy cats! I will try it. Now‚ out! All of you. The rest of us stood outside the bathroom in the hallway. After a few minutes we heard‚ Whoa! Chicken and biscuits! And then Rae let out one of her deep‚ rich‚ Southern laughs. Diary‚ all was good. Dad was then determined to find one for our own home no matter what Mom said‚ as she had a few squirt bottles and cloths already. Dad and his bone. Entry two The same day Dad was pondering his eulogy for the last toilet paper roll‚ we went to the Millers to continue work on the windmill. I politely asked Janet and Justin to tell us of their journey to the Millers. I was so glad when the story continued. In the barn‚ as they heard from a short distance the sounds of their home on fire‚ parts falling into the basement‚ Justin began to formulate a plan as he looked at the maps on the GPS device. What would have been about a seven-hour dive to the Millers before the power went out was five days by horseback‚ by the most direct route of a four-lane highway‚ with a lot of open spaces with little or no cover if they needed it. Neither Janet nor Justin liked that idea. They thought for a bit‚ discussing different strategies‚ when with the GPS maps‚ Justin found a very roundabout‚ back roads route that would take ten or eleven days. It was far from ideal to be on the road that long‚ but seemed safer than the open highway. By then‚ it was growing late and past their normal dinner time‚ as the sun had dropped below the horizon. Janet told Justin to get the propane camp stove going‚ and she would pick out dinner and the cookware‚ camp bowls‚ and camp utensils to go with it. She picked out three cans of Italian Wedding Soup with a loaf of bead she had made two days ago. They would make for a hearty meal. They were all exhausted‚ but Janet and Justin let David and Charlotte make their beds in sleeping bags. They fell asleep almost as soon as their heads hit their rolled-up sweater-filled pillows. Justin took the first watch as his mind was still going a hundred miles an hour‚ thinking about the upcoming journey. He would wake Janet around three a.m. to take her watch. The kids should not be bothered. It took them the better part of the next day to determine what was absolutely necessary to take with them‚ then pack and re-pack the saddlebags and the packs to get it all in. Then they saddled up the horses‚ the saddlebags‚ packs‚ and other means to lash gear to the horses. Janet noted they would likely have to repack a few miles down the road as the packs would shift. Justin looked around on the floor of the things they were going to have to leave behind. It could not be helped. He did not want to overload the horses and run the possibility of one of them going lame if it could be helped. They did pack some feed for the horses but would have to rely on mostly forage. Allowing them to feed would take up time. They left at first light the next day after a breakfast of bread‚ hot grits‚ and granola. As she noted‚ Janet was correct about having to re-pack some of the gear and cargo not far down the road. Thankfully‚ it was only a few packs and done. With his rifle across the saddle in front of him‚ Justin set them at a quick walk to eat up the miles. The territory was familiar to them but seemed strange at the same time. There was no one around. They past homes that appeared to be empty. Through a few small towns eerily quiet. They had to stop at one point as a herd of cows were calmly crossing the road. There was no one around driving them. It was late afternoon. Justin was checking the map when he said they would stop for the night. He nodded in one direction‚ there should be a creek off the road a ways‚ in the woods where they would set up camp. They found the creek‚ dismounted‚ unsaddled‚ and unpacked the horses. While Janet and Charlotte unpacked the camping gear‚ Justin and David set a picket line for the horses and strapped feed bags of oats onto them. Janet packed the camp stove‚ camping cookware‚ and utensils in a lidded 5-gallon bucket and some of the food in another. She handed the buckets to Justin and David so they could get water for the horses first. It took several trips to the creek and back as the horses took down a lot of water. Justin would be on the lookout for more buckets if they could find them. If they happened onto a source of water on their way‚ they would take the opportunity to water the horses when possible. While Janet and Charlotte were setting up the big family sized tent‚ when Janet noticed how quiet Charlotte was. She then realized David was more subdued than usual. Janet almost said something to Charlotte when she thought better of it and would talk to Justin later. They rolled out the self-inflating air mats and‚ on top of them‚ their sleeping bags. Janet asked Justin to build a fire‚ which she could use the one Dutch oven to cook over. He was about to say no when she firmly asked again. Sensing there was more to it than just a cooking fire‚ he asked the kids to help him gather up firewood. Janet opted for something different for dinner‚ as they had soup the previous two nights. Potato casserole‚ seasoned with a little salt and pepper‚ some dried herbs‚ and venison summer sausage Justin made. While the casserole was cooking‚ Janet gently brought up what had happened over the past few days. She then asked what the kids thought of it. They started slowly. Then‚ like a dam breaking‚ it all came out. How they felt about having to shoot people. They understood they had to. If they did not‚ those people would have hurt them or worse. The loss of their home. Having to leave. Charlotte was openly crying. David had tears streaming down his face and stared into the fire as he talked about what he felt. It was then Justin called them all together and they‚ as a family‚ hugged. Things seemed better‚ but they would watch the kids closely for the rest of the time they were on the road. They fell into a pattern. Up at first light‚ breakfast‚ broke camp‚ saddled and packed out the horses and then on the road. Lunch was in the saddle. They watered when they found it‚ if not as they rode‚ then they camped out near a water source. If they could‚ they would just lead the horses to the water. When they could not‚ Justin and David hauled the water. They tried to make dinner a hot meal. Everyone took a night watch shift. By the fourth day‚ they were operating like clock work without a word being said‚ they all turned to what needed to be done efficiently. On the seventh day‚ they came across a small town that seemed to have people present. It was a clear day‚ even warm in the sun. The road led them into what appeared to be the town square. There was a small‚ white church with a tall blacked-shingled steeple and bell tower. There were several bicycle racks out front in the parking lot‚ each nearly full. Several horses were tied up to wooden hitches on the side of the church. An old man with a hat‚ sat in a rocking chair‚ lever action rifle on his lap‚ off to the side of the the churchs doors on the landing. As he watched them approach‚ he continued to rock in the chair but did not lift the rifle. As they pulled up and stopped‚ he greeted them with a smile. They could hear singing coming from inside the church. The old man said his name was Bobby and he was standing watch over the cycles and horses while services were going on. He offered them to join the congregation. Janet said they were pressed to get to her brothers place. Bobby nodded‚ The only thing more important than community is family. Justin asked Bobby how things were down the road they were on. Bobby they would be safe to the county line. When Justin asked where that was‚ Bobby just said they would know. Not feeling confident about Bobbys response‚ Justin gave thanks and said they needed to be going. Bobby wished them well as he rocked. They smelled it before they reached it. Justin told Janet and the kids not to stop and to keep going while he checked it out. It was not far off the road. Crows‚ turkey vultures took off in flight as he got to the edge of what looked like a small depression in the field. His horse did not like the smell and let Justin know it snorting‚ ears back and prancing‚ eager to be off. It was hard to tell‚ but it looked like bodies in various stages of decomposition. Not just human either. He recognized a deer head‚ a cows head and something that could have been goat or a sheep. Justin let his horse take the lead and galloped away from the mass grave. This was the county line‚ he guessed. When Justin caught up to Janet and the kids‚ he then put them into a fast trot. There was a lake he wanted to reach for that nights camp. The far side of the lake had a state park with a campground and two boat launches. It looked good‚ but being on the far side‚ would add another hour at least to reach. Looking at the map‚ he thought there would be an area they could set up camp and a good-sized pasture for the horses to graze in not far from the road. They found what they thought would make for a good camp. They could lead the horses down to the edge of the lake to water themselves. Then Justin and David set a picket line for the horses to graze in the pasture. Janet and Charlotte just finished setting up the tent‚ laying out the sleeping bags and got everything they needed for dinner‚ when they heard the first sounds of thunder in the distance. Dark clouds on the horizon‚ suddenly the wind changed direction and the temperature dropped. Now they could actually smell rain on the wind. They hurried to get the horse coats out and on the horses to keep them warm and dry before the rain started. Then they pulled the rest of their gear into a pile‚ wrapped the whole thing with a tarp and secured with length of rope. The tent had a extended awning like on the front door that allowed them to still use their camp stove to cook without setting the tent on fire. As the first big drops of rain began to pelt the tent‚ Janet realized they had not gotten water for themselves for dinner‚ and washing up. Janet informed the rest of the need of water for dinner‚ then said‚ One . . . two . . . three . . . NOT IT! Both the kid said‚ NOT IT! at the same time and Justin meekly said‚ Not it‚ last. The kids and Janet laughed as Justin gave out a loud sigh‚ set his leather cowboy hat lower on his head‚ took the dirty water filter bag and prepared to brave the cold rain to get water from the lake. He gave Janet a wink and a smile as he sat out the tents front door‚ under the awning‚ putting on his boots. When he returned‚ he hung the dirty water filter bag from the tents ceiling loop and connected it to the filter connected the clean bag sitting on the floor of the tent. Next to the dirty bag was a rechargeable LED lantern‚ illuminating the whole tent in a soft white light. Once filtered‚ Janet took some water‚ a good chunk of cured and smoked venison jerky and let it come up to a simmer. She then turned it off and let the jerky steep in the water. When it was cool enough to handle‚ she shredded the jerky and set it aside. She then mixed the jerky infused water with a pre-made biscuit mix. While the biscuits finished cooking off heat‚ Janet mixed the jerky into canned French onion soup and let it simmer. Justin and the kids played cards as she cooked. After dinner‚ Justin braved the rain again to check on the horses. They were warm and dry under their coats but Justin moved them into the same stand of trees where the tent was‚ to help shelter them from the rain and wind. The interval between lighting flash and thunder report was growing closer as the bulk of the storm got closer. Justin just got back into the tent when the steady rain became a down pour that they had to raise their voices to be heard. Justin decided not to keep a watch‚ as everything with two legs or more would be seeking shelter in the storm. The rain continued the next day. Neither Janet nor Justin liked losing another day staying in place but they liked the idea of spending a day in the saddle‚ cold and wet even less. Janet added the kids‚ the horses and even themselves needed a rest. The kids attitudes and morale seemed much improved‚ playing cards in their sleeping bags‚ laughing and chatting. The rain continued‚ ranging from a light‚ steady rain to a downpour. Justin and David did move the horses three times in the pasture during the day for them to graze. In the middle of the night‚ Janet got up to pee. The rain had finally stopped‚ and she could see stars in between the tree branches above. They would be back on the road tomorrow‚ thankfully. About 1stMarineJarHead 1stMarineJarHead is not only a former Marine‚ but also a former EMT-B‚ Wilderness EMT (courtesy of NOLS)‚ and volunteer firefighter. He currently resides in the great white (i.e. snowy) Northeast with his wife and dogs. He raises chickens‚ rabbits‚ goats‚ occasionally hogs‚ cows and sometimes ducks. He grows various veggies and has a weird fondness for rutabagas. He enjoys reading‚ writing‚ cooking from scratch‚ making charcuterie‚ target shooting‚ and is currently expanding his woodworking skills. The post Dear Diary‚ Its Me‚ Jessica: Part 7 appeared first on The Organic Prepper.

In today';s digital age‚ the threat of Electromagnetic Pulses (EMPs) may seem like fiction‚ but it';s a genuine danger. Triggered by nuclear blasts high above the Earth‚ EMPs can instantly plunge modern society into chaos by damaging or destroying electronics. Everything from smartphones to essential infrastructure becomes vulnerable. Scientists identified EMPs'; potential in the 1950s‚ The post What is an EMP? The Expert Guide to Electromagnetic Pulses! appeared first on Mind4Survival.

Air is one of those things you cant live without for very long. Its an often overlooked part of preparedness and safety even though it is one of our biggest vulnerabilities. Filters and gas masks have become an integral part of protecting the air we breathe. Gas masks protect us from some of the nastiest threats including nuclear fallout‚ viruses‚ and chemical weapons. Gas masks may seem stereotypical but they are important protective equipment for many situations. Sticklers may insist on calling them protective masks since they can protect you from more than just gas. A gas mask has already saved my life against chemical weapons and biological threats. It gives a fighting chance against some radiation exposure as well. In the service‚ I trained extensively at chemical defense facilities. I tried dozens of masks and learned what made them reliable‚ comfortable‚ and effective. I taught classes on gas masks to thousands of military personnel for several years. I traveled the globe and worked with international CBRN teams‚ putting masks to their limits in a variety of conditions and environments. There are only a handful of brands and types to choose from for respiratory protection that will hold up for a wide range of events. Regardless‚ you need to know what you can rely on when you need it most. This is where we come in. In our guide‚ youll find the best mask options: the overall best‚ a starter option‚ and an upgrade option. If you need a gas mask that will keep you going in a survival situation‚ one of our suggestions will help keep you breathing through the worst of it. Time to move on from your N-95 paper mask? We can help. Contents (Jump to a Section) The Best Gas Mask Budget Gas Mask Upgrade Gas Mask Everything We Recommend My Experience with Different Masks The Masks We Compared What to Look For Mask Rating Types Who Needs a Gas Mask? How to Make Sure a Gas Mask Fits Scenarios to Use a Gas Mask Survival Kits that Need Gas Masks Troubleshooting‚ Maintaining‚ and Inspecting Additional Gear Needed With a Gas Mask Drawbacks of Gas Masks The Best Gas Mask MIRA CM-6M Lightweight‚ Comfortable‚ and Effective Brand new military-grade bromobutyl rubber construction at a respectable price with proven durability. $264* at MIRA Safety *Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales. MIRA Safety has been on a tear in the international market‚ becoming the mask of choice for many countries simply due to its cost-effectiveness. The masks they make are durable and proven‚ and the CM-6M hits the sweet spot of features at a reasonable cost. With a bromobutyl rubber construction and dual canister filters‚ this mask feels very similar to the well-known M50. Here is how the CM-6M reads: One size fits all (mostly) Bromobutyl rubber face seal Polycarbonate visor‚ 84 FoV 6-point adjustable straps Twin 40-mm NATO filters (not included- you can run a single can as well) Hydration system 30.4 ounces (with standard filters) There are plenty of accessories that you can get for the mask as it is a refreshingly simple platform. Grab the MIRA CM-6M Gas Mask and some filters for your kit and dont look back. Drinking from the CM-6M hydration system. Budget Gas Mask Parcil PD-101 Industrial‚ Versatile‚ and Inexpensive An industrial option that will keep you protected when paired with the right filters. $79* at Parcil Safety *Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales. You may encounter some people that say this respirator technically isnt technically a gas mask‚ and they arent wrong. This respirator from Parcil Safety uses a silicon face mask‚ so its not going to help you that much if you encounter a blister agent like mustard gas. But it will help you with pretty much anything else when you fit it with organic vapor filters. Here are the quick hits: One size fits all (mostly) Silicone face seal (makes this technically an industrial mask) Polycarbonate visor‚ 200 FoV 5-point adjustable silicon straps Twin bayonet filters 15.3 ounces + (3.7 ounces x 2 filters) = 22.7 ounces You can also use 3M bayonet filters (and other manufacturers) on this mask‚ which is the main difference between Parcils PD-101 and the PD-100. With Parcils filter naming convention‚ you want the filter to have a P3 (0.3 micron)‚ and at least a brown stripe. The mask comes with the P-A-3 filters‚ which isnt bad but upgrading to the P-3-O filters would help you with inorganic vapors‚ acids‚ and ammonia. The feel and vision of the mask reminded me a bit of the MCU-2 flight crew mask‚ as it doesnt have the weight distribution of a single bulky 40mm filter and has a huge field of view. Luckily‚ the silicon mask is not prone to separating like the MCU-2/P eventually did. The main drawback of this mask from a design viewpoint is the silicon straps‚ but they have held up during my testing and came with additional attachment hardware if I need to swap it out down the road. This mask earns its spot as our starter pick with a cost that cant be beaten for its performance level and versatility. The Parcil Safety PD-101 Gas Mask is a solid industrial mask for your personal protection kit. Upgrade Gas Mask Avon M50 / FM50 Proven‚ Rugged‚ and Dependable The preferred choice for the US Military‚ longer protection‚ and a comfortable seal make this the mask to beat. $300* at eBay *Price at time of publishing; check for price changes or sales. The M50 by Avon Protection continues to be the mask of choice for operators worldwide‚ including the US military. It is quite a bit more expensive than other masks on the market and in our suggestion set‚ but you can often find used masks in excellent condition that do not have problems that other used military masks have had with longevity (looking at you‚ MCU-2P). It can be a bit confusing with the M‚ FM‚ and C versions all available (and the M50 also goes by JSGPM). The M50 and FM50 (essentially the same mask) use military-style bayonet lug filters for rapid changes. The filters are lighter weight‚ more face-conforming‚ and meant to be worn in pairs. The FM53‚ FM54‚ and C50 all use single standard NATO 40mm filters which are easier to find but are bulkier‚ heavier‚ and not as easy to breathe through. You can get converters for the M50/FM50 to use 40mm filters for more flexibility‚ but not the other way around. The C50 has been traditionally sold to civilians and the FM50 to foreign militaries. Here is how the M50/FM50 measures up: Three sizes S‚ M‚ L (M fits most ~95%- including my big head) Chlorobutyl rubber face seal Polycarbonate visor with inserts‚ 96 FoV 6-point adjustable straps Twin bayonet filters Hydration system 30.4 ounces (with standard filters) If you want the best for your kit‚ finding yourself an Avon M50 or FM50 Gas Mask is the way to go. The M50 will protect you from the most threats out of all of the elastomeric respirators. Everything We Recommend MIRA CM-6M Brand new military-grade bromobutyl rubber construction at a respectable price with proven durability. Where to Buy $264* at MIRA Safety $269* at Amazon *at time of reviewing Parcil PD-101 An industrial option that will keep you protected when paired with the right filters. Where to Buy $79* at Parcil Safety $99* at Amazon *at time of reviewing Avon M50 The preferred choice for the US Military‚ longer protection‚ and a comfortable seal make this the mask to beat. Where to Buy $300* at eBay *at time of reviewing My Experience with Different Masks I have traveled the globe teaching people how to use various types of gas masks along with other disaster-related training. I have plenty of experience using the MCU-2P‚ M50‚ Firehawk‚ and the 6800 in life-threatening environments. Ive also had my hands on the Israeli mask‚ M40‚ M17‚ Land Warrior‚ Czech M10‚ Dragr PAPR 4500‚ Soviet GP-5‚ and even some relic masks from WWI. Me and my airman buddy using an MSA Firehawk mask in an SCBA HazMat setup. I know how a solid mask with a good fit can save your life from direct experience. Sometimes the little things about the mask make the biggest difference. The gas mask field of view and how easy the filters are to breathe through can make accomplishing tasks a world of difference. Switching my classes from the MCU-2P to the M50 made a world of difference in the number of heat exhaustion incidents we had in the desert. The drinking tube attachment on the military masks helped with this too. The Masks We Compared Our research narrowed the field down to the several gas mask brands and types that we tested: 3M‚ Avon‚ Drger‚ Honeywell‚ MIRA‚ Parcil‚ MSA‚ older masks (M-45‚ M-40‚ MCU-2P‚ Israeli‚ GP-5‚ MP5‚ etc)‚ and more. (We had A LOT of gas masks already on hand.) You can see our full list of review criteria below in the What to Look For section‚ with an explanation for each. We did not consider any powered or supplied air options‚ although some of our selections allow those modifications. We left PAPR and SCBA masks and attachments in their own review: Best PAPR | Powered Air Purifying Respirator. Were always looking for new and better equipment‚ so if you have a gas mask you swear by let us know in the comments. We review most of our tested gear annually‚ so we can always get it in the next roundup round and see if it makes the cut and we can see if it will beat out our top picks. What to Look For The best gas masks have several important features to look for: Value Effectiveness Durability Comfort Versatility When you get the right blend of these‚ you can find reliable gas masks that will keep you protected through a CBRN emergency. Below‚ we break down what each of these features means for truly dependable masks that you can trust with your life: Value: Cost vs. Benefit The amount of money you spend on something like gas masks shouldnt blow out your budget. Having one is better than having none‚ but the same applies to other tools and gear you may need for an emergency. Budget according to your risk and your needs rather than just spending lavishly. On the flip side‚ you definitely dont want to go the cheap route on a mask. If you are buying used- be skeptical of a masks seal and inspect it thoroughly before planning to use it in your kit. If youre buying something brand new that is cheaper than our options- good luck trusting it with your life! Still‚ you never want to spend too much money on one resource‚ especially something like masks. Its better to diversify your tools and preparedness gear to make sure you are covered for a wide range of scenarios. There is a sweet spot where you get high value out of the best features with not too high of a price‚ which is where our top pick sits. Effectiveness A gas masks effectiveness is a combination of many factors‚ including the rubber material and thickness‚ lens material and thickness‚ canister type‚ airflow design‚ and even how well it fits. Bromobutyl and chlorobutyl rubber are some of the best materials as they are resistant to blister agent chemical weapons‚ whereas many other types of rubbers are not (including silicone). Polycarbonate lenses are pretty standard‚ and protective inserts can increase longevity and prevent scratching on these. Larger lenses can also increase your field of view‚ which is why industrial masks (3M 6800‚ Parcil PD-101) and aircrew masks (MCU-2P) opt for the large single lens. The canister for a gas mask is one thing that varies and directly affects how effective your mask can be. 45mm NATO canisters are commonly found‚ and NIOSH bayonet filters for 3M masks are also very common. Both come with multiple options depending on which type of material you are trying to filter. Typically‚ you will want the maximum level of protection out of your canister to maximize the effectiveness of your mask. The M50 uses a proprietary Avon filter‚ which can make them more difficult to find and stock up on. While all masks offer some level of protection against viruses and radioactive particles when they are correctly worn‚ their effectiveness against chemical weapons can vary. (Learn more about the chemical weapon threat profile here.) None of the selected masks will help you breathe in an oxygen-depleted environment‚ like heavy smoke‚ confined space‚ underwater‚ etc. To handle those scenarios‚ your mask will need further modifications with a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Durability Oils from our faces and hands‚ dust‚ hot and cold temperatures‚ and masks getting mashed up in the case all take a hard toll on a gas mask. The quality and construction of a mask can help it handle all of these‚ with the materials and thickness mattering most. How you treat your mask also affects its durability. Dont expose any mask to alcohol (cleaning wipes) or other harsh chemicals. Wash it with warm soapy water when you need to. Comfort Comfort is an underrated aspect of a gas mask because people always seem to underestimate how long they will need to wear the mask. Some gas masks come in various sizes and can improve how comfortable a mask is (and make it fit properly!) Some can swap out components‚ like nose cups. The airflow of the canister can affect how comfortable you are in a mask. Restrictive canisters can make the mask hot and harder to breathe through unless you have multiple canisters. Versatility Most of our picks have accessories that you can get to add versatility to the mask‚ including (but not limited to): extra canisters and/or different application canisters carrying cases lens protection (and covers for various applications) voice emitters mics for radios glasses inserts drinking straws w/ canteen conversions hoods for overpressure sized parts (nose cups) replacement parts Having the right combination of accessories with your mask will give you some added versatility and/or make the mask much more effective for your specific situation. Mask Rating Types There is some misinformation out there as to what actually counts as a gas mask. Gas mask is just a term for a full-face respirator equipped to handle chemical gas hazards. There are full and half-face respirators that only handle particulates‚ but the full-face masks with the correct filters are considered gas masks. Just like there are many models of gas masks developed over the years‚ there are also several ratings for both masks and filters. Ranging from MILSPEC to NIOSH/OSHA requirements‚ these ratings can let you know what kind of protection you can expect from a mask. If a mask does not meet any standard or requirement‚ you should probably look elsewhere. If a mask or filter doesnt have a rating‚ it could be a prop mask‚ costume mask‚ or even for airsoft. Make sure you have a real mask and filter with a real rating. Mask filters can have many ratings but here are the important ones for survival and prepping purposes: NBC rating: The filter is verified and rated to withstand Nuclear‚ Biological‚ and Chemical threats for at least 8 hours. CBA/RCA rating: The filter is verified and rated to withstand Chemical Blowing and Riot Control Agents for at least 8 hours. Specialty ratings: There are other ratings where a filter can be rated to protect from a specific NBC or HAZMAT threat. Mask ratings are complex but can be broken down by who approved them NIOSH Rating NIOSH gives us the widely known rating of N95‚ which can be found on the small cloth masks used extensively in the medical field and other applications. Most gas masks fit the N95 rating‚ which simply means they filter out 95% of airborne particles. The rating is good for the elastic band mouth covering but does not mean much if you are looking for complete protection. The NIOSH ratings can be more easily understood with a table: Rating Letter Class Rating Number Class N Not oil resistant 95 Removes 95% of all particles R Resistant to oil 99 Removes 99% of all particles P Oil-Proof 100 Removes 99.97% of all particles (HEPA) These letters and numbers combine to give the rating‚ so P100 is one of the best ratings NIOSH gives respirators. This shows that an N95 mask is better than nothing‚ but definitely not the best solution in life-or-death situations. MIL-SPEC Rating The main MIL-SPEC rating associated with gas masks is the PRF-EA-10003 rating. This encompasses the NBC and CBRN protection factor combined with how the mask withstands abuse in the field. It is an aggressive rating that only one mask has achieved: the M50 JSGPM (Joint Service General Purpose Mask). As you can see‚ masks themselves are rated to MIL-SPEC or NIOSH penetration standards‚ but filters are rated to the actual threat. Plenty of people say This mask is NBC-rated‚ which is a misconception because the filters are actually rated and the mask is NIOSH and possibly MIL-SPEC rated. Who Needs a Gas Mask? Whether or not you need a mask depends on the risk level you are willing to accept. You can find more about generalized risk in our TrueRisk Guide‚ which lays out the standard risks for most people in the United States. This is based on data and generally accepted best practices for risk analysis. If you arent looking to dive in too deep‚ gas masks are usually essential for people who fall into any of these categories: proximity to a nuclear facility proximity to a military facility They are highly suggested for people that: live in densely populated urban areas live downwind (according to prevalent wind charts) to nuclear and military facilities For everyone else- a gas mask is simply an upgrade from a standard filter mask given that your chances of encountering a CBRN threat or rapid viral spread are lower. However‚ most people fall into a category listed above. Of course‚ you can always use masks for things beyond the threats above too- like concealing your face/identity or as a dust mask. Gas masks are more versatile than you may realize and warrant consideration for anyone who can afford one. How to Make Sure a Gas Mask Fits Unlike a hat or clothing‚ medium-sized gas masks usually fit a wide range of people. Masks need to fit your face‚ and your head size does not matter as much since straps are usually adjustable. Small children and those with smaller faces will need a small mask or a specially developed infant mask. Large masks are rare but are needed by a few with very large faces. A staggering 90% of adults will fit in a medium gas mask. Even if you have a mask that is the proper size does not mean it fits. Proper fitting ensures that the mask has created a seal with your skin and that your breathing is creating positive pressure within the mask. Here are the 3 main ways people fit-test a gas mask. Negative Pressure Test This test doesnt require any equipment and has some easy-to-follow steps to make sure you have a good fit: Loosen the mask straps completely and pull them over the front of the mask and out of the way. Roll the mask on‚ planting your chin firmly in the chin cup first and then seating the nose cup in place. Hold the mask in place while you pull the straps over the back of your head. Tighten the straps. If there are multiple straps‚ tighten the middle first‚ then the top‚ and then the bottom straps last. Check the seal of the mask by covering the filters with your hands and inhaling sharply. The mask should pull in slightly and not allow any air in. If it does not‚ re-fit your mask by following steps 1-4 again. Remove the mask by only loosening the bottom straps and pulling the chin cup out and over your face. Store the mask with straps over the front for rapid access. Store the mask with straps inside the mask for longer periods to prevent the straps from stretching and wearing out. A few reasons a mask may not fit is due to the sizing. The full-face mask may have different sizing options‚ as well as the nose cup. Some variants‚ like the M50 or 6800 offer a variety of nose-cup and facemask combinations to ensure the best comfort in the mask. Most people will use the negative pressure test step 5 after they put on the gas mask to quickly make sure the mask is seated correctly. If you use a mask in high-threat or industrial environments‚ youll need a better test for your initial fitting. This method was good enough when I trained class members in a practice environment using CS (tear gas). Hood and Banana Oil Banana oil/isoamyl acetate is often used by professionals to ensure a good fit. You can grab some ampules for very cheap online that are great for breaking open with your mask on. If you can smell it‚ then you have a gas mask fit issue- pretty straightforward. To keep the banana oil isolated around your head‚ plastic hoods or large upside-down bowls are used to trap the gas. We used this method when we trained with live high-risk chemical agents to ensure our masks were fitting tight. The equipment to reproduce this type of test isnt that expensive. Portacount Portacount Respirator Fit Test Machines will set you back over a grand when they are new. It is one of the only quantitative fit tests out there‚ and many agencies rely on it to set standards for mask fit. I didnt actively use one but was measured dozens of times by the Bioenvironmental Engineers (BEEs) and found the machines finicky at times. I certainly wouldnt recommend the equipment for home use‚ but some high-risk environmental jobs call for these to keep safety records‚ making sure PPE is a good fit for anyone wearing a respirator of any sort. Other Mask Fit Considerations Guys should note that beards do not cooperate well with gas masks getting a good seal. A hygiene kit with shaving equipment can come in handy in the event of a pandemic or CBRN situation. Trust us‚ weve looked into beards vs gas masks zealously and beards are best dealt with just shaven off. Poor vision can also be problematic with gas masks. To deal with this you can source gas mask inserts‚ which are glasses meant to snap into place inside of a gas mask. Those in the military and in jobs that require masks are often issued inserts. If you dont have access to an optometrist who can source inserts for your gas mask‚ some clever preppers have used old glasses‚ removed the glasses arms‚ and secured them to the mask lens with duct tape for a temporary solution. You cannot use glasses with the arms on them or they will disrupt the seal where the arms go through the mask. Scenarios to Use a Gas Mask A few acronyms that are commonly used that show where a gas mask may be needed include: NBC Nuclear‚ Biological‚ Chemical CBRN Chemical‚ Biological‚ Radiological‚ and Nuclear These describe events or attacks (NBC is the older term‚ and CBRN is the newer) where a gas mask and other specialized personal protective equipment especially come in handy. Masks also come in handy when you are dealing with falling ash (volcanoes‚ fires)‚ high pollution‚ riot agents (tear gas‚ pepper spray)‚ and even around the house (mold‚ paint‚ etc). An approved and functional gas mask protects all of the scenarios above in most situations where they would occur. Protecting your airway is a priority in each of these since they are most susceptible to exposure. It is important to put on your own mask before assisting others. Otherwise‚ you could be quickly incapacitated and unable to help anyone. Survival Kits that Need Gas Masks You can include a gas mask in almost any survival kit. Some survival kits make a whole lot more sense than others‚ though. A simple N95 mask may be acceptable to include in a lightweight Get Home Bag or Bug Out Bag. Here are some specialized kits that really should include a gas mask for each member of your family: Pandemic Kit NBC (Nuclear‚ Biological‚ and Chemical) Kit HAZMAT Kit Nuclear Survival Kit If you require one of these kits based on threats in your area‚ then you should include a gas mask in them. You can learn more about identifying threats in our Threat List‚ which breaks down risk as simply probability and impact for possible scenarios and rates them with a TrueRisk score. Additional kits that could include a gas mask‚ but are not necessarily standard are: Home Survival Kit Get Home Bag Bug Out Bag Gas masks are usually not practical for Everyday Carry (EDC) use due to their size‚ weight‚ and public perception. A hygiene kit with shaving equipment is a good idea to keep close to a mask since beards can prevent a gas mask from sealing‚ making them useless. Troubleshooting‚ Maintaining‚ and Inspecting Most gas masks are tough‚ but there are some problems that could occur if they are not cared for properly. The rubber and silicon can disband from the facemask. Straps can dry rot; metal components can rust and degrade. Masks can deform if stored improperly. Many older masks and military surplus have issues with yellowing lenses. The point is that gas masks are not fail-proof‚ and you have to take care of them to keep them in life-saving condition. This is one of the reasons why new masks are the way to go when buying a gas mask. Troubleshooting a gas mask is relatively easy. If a mask is difficult to breathe through‚ replace the filter and see if it improves. If it does not‚ you should look at the inlet valve behind the filter(s) to determine if there is debris or a problem in the operation. If positive pressure from exhaling is causing your mask to unseat you may have an issue with your outlet valve. If you are having a problem with the mask having or keeping a seal‚ you should follow or mask fit instructions above. If these steps do not fix the problem‚ inspect the mask for disbonding described below. Maintaining a gas mask is easy too. Keep your mask debris-free and wash it after use‚ even if it is not contaminated. Use a warm soapy water solution to wash the mask after removing the filters and head harness. Do not use bleach or alcohol wipes since they will yellow mask lenses and damage silicon and bonding material. Inspecting a gas mask can save your life. Gas masks arent bulletproof as far as problems go‚ and sometimes they can be hidden. Run your finger along each bonded seam in your mask looking for signs of separation. Inspect filter attachment areas for cross-threading if applicable. If your mask has metal components‚ look for signs of rust or corrosion. If you run across any of these red flags‚ the mask should be cut across the face shield and discarded as unusable. Additional Gear Needed With a Gas Mask A gas mask is great for protecting your face and your respiratory tract‚ but what about the rest of your body‚ your home‚ and even your equipment? A mask should be supplemented with key supplies and accessories to complete the protective outfit. You should include: Full-body Coverage: Weve reviewed HazMat suits‚ but any coverage is better than exposed skin. Sealing Tape: ChemTape is the clear choice. Duct tape can theoretically work‚ but is not recommended. Gloves: Thick rubber is best but nitrile gloves can work in a pinch. Boots: Chem boots‚ over boots‚ and galoshes are best. Canteen: and Gas Mask Compatible Straw Filters: Depending on your mask and filter type‚ you may need a lot of spare filters. Gas Mask Carrier: Dont squish your mask in a combined kit. Hygiene Kit with Razors: For men to remove beards- here is our survival razor review. Eyeglass Inserts: Dont go blind and dont break your seal with traditional glasses Fit Check Ampoules: Banana oil gets it done. Drawbacks of Gas Masks Gas masks are not the easy cure-all for everything that could happen. There are plenty of situations where a gas mask cannot help. Here is a quick list to keep in mind as you get your mask ready for your survival kit: A standard gas mask cannot supply oxygen in an oxygen-depleted environment. They are not meant as a protective covering for ballistics or debris. Masks can provide a false sense of security if worn improperly or if you have the wrong type. Gas masks can increase the chance of heat exhaustion. You cannot eat or drink in a gas mask (unless it is equipped with a drinking tube and adapter). Some masks limit your vision. Some masks are more difficult to breathe through‚ making physical activity difficult. If you have a beard‚ a gas mask will not seal correctly. If you keep these drawbacks in mind‚ gas masks are still useful and can save your life. It is better to be prepared and not need a gas mask than to need one and not have one. South Koreans even have gas masks postured for rapid access in their subway system: How We Review Products: We research thoroughly before selecting the best products to review. We have vast prepping and survival experience and bring in outside experts when needed. Hours on end are spent testing gear in stressful conditions and using specialized testing gear to verify claims. We assign performance criteria and impartially rate each tested item. Learn more about how we test. Sources and References All of our experience and the testing we do to determine the best gas mask is useless without listing our research sources and references. We leaned on these for the book knowledge that we paired with our hands-on testing and practical military and prepping experience: Faith‚ T. (2014). Behind the Gas Mask: The U.S. Chemical Warfare Service in War and Peace. University of Illinois Press. (Source) Fridlund‚ M. (2002). Keep Calm and Carry One: The Civilian Gas Mask Case and its Containment of British Emotions.Mattering Press. Pages 425-440. (Source) Waitt‚ A. (1942).The Gas Mask: The Great Problem in Protection Is Training‚ Discipline‚ and Organization. The American Journal of Nursing. Volume 42‚ Issue 7‚ Pages 748-753. (Source) The Final Word I hope that by now you feel like an expert on anything and everything mask-related. It felt like a trip down memory lane getting this information together since I have taught thousands about the benefits‚ use‚ and upkeep of gas masks. Just getting a mask is not enough- you need to know how to use it‚ keep it in good condition‚ and its limitations. Whether you are staying put to bug in or hitting the road to bug out- a gas mask should be a consideration for your survival kit. Certain situations‚ like proximity to a military base or nuclear facility‚ increase your need for a mask. To go along with a solid gas mask‚ you should also consider a few other CBRN survival items: The Best Geiger Counter for Prepping and Survival The Best Iodine Tablets for Nuclear Fallout Radiation Nuclear Survival Kit Guide‚ Gear‚ and Checklist We presented quite a lot of information‚ but as always: if you have any questions let us know and we would be happy to help. Our research and testing found that the MIRA CM-6M gas mask is the best option given its value‚ effectiveness‚ durability‚ comfort‚ and versatility. If you pick up one of our suggested masks- make sure you try it out and get to know how to use it before an emergency. Dont let your gear sit in your kit without becoming familiar with it. Keep exploring‚ stay prepared‚ and be safe. Youve Been Missing Out Join the 2+ million preppers that rely on our prepping advice by subscribing to TruePrepper. Practical guides and tips Useful survival giveaways Free‚ forever &;lt; 0.4% of people unsubscribe Thanks for subscribing‚ reading‚ and welcome to the club. Instagram Facebook TikTok X Twitter YouTube LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit The post Best Gas Mask for Tear Gas‚ Viruses‚ and Nuclear Fallout appeared first on TruePrepper.