Jul 19, 2005 - Traveling safely (Daily Examiner)

Some surveys claim that men are more prepared than women for fire emergencies. But don’t dare say that to Dr. Melissa Riley, a 15-year firefighter veteran and founder of the University of Mississippi Emergency Medical responders. She showed the Daily Examiner team just how easily everyone – men, women and children -- can be prepared for a fire or smoke emergency no matter where they are. They can use the technology tens of thousands of professional firefighters use to protect them from smoke inhalation, the Xcaper ® Smoke Mask.

The Xcaper ® Smoke Mask is lightweight (2.2 oz), compact (W 1”, H 5”, L 5”), affordable ($49) and has its own little carry bag. It’s especially apropos these days when nobody knows when they might need it – at home, in the office, in a hotel, plane, or train or on the subway.

The Xcaper mask kit is designed to slip on in seconds and, thanks to a unique design, can’t be put on incorrectly. It is designed with an all-natural moisturizing agent that allows for easy breathing and will capture smoke, dust, airborne fiber and other particulate matter as miniscule as 3/10ths of a micron. (That’s smaller than a pin prick.) It will also filter 100% of all water-soluble gases known as anhydrites. Additionally, the Xcaper smoke mask filters other dangerous gases commonly found in the air near a fire such as carbon monoxide, acrolein, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen monoxide. The Xcaper smoke mask has also been field tested against petrochemical fumes and it worked well.

The Xcaper kit is also equipped with non fogging goggles, whistles and led flashlight. Demonstrating the Xcaper ® Smoke Mask, Dr. Riley says that keeping an easy to use smoke mask available for all family members could save a life and provides the best opportunity to survive a fire emergency.

According to Dr. Riley, “Simplicity and preparation saves lives in any emergency---but if you have a few tools and techniques in-place that you call upon in a situation that requires you to be able to think and act quickly, you can not only save yourself, but others as well. The ability to see hear, be heard and speak is not compromised and protection is maximized easily with this kit.”

Unopened, the Xcaper smoke mask will last 5 years. It should be stored in a convenient place in case of a fire emergency. Once activated (removed from the vacuum sealed foil bag), the Xcaper smoke make will give you approximately 30 minutes of breathing time while evacuating from a smoke filled area.