Q.  Which Xcaper Smoke Mask Kit should I purchase

Q:

What is the Xcaper Smoke mask?

A:

The Xcaper® Smoke Mask is the most advanced filter of its kind with a simple and convenient design. Using patented Whiffs® moist filtration technology, the Xcaper Smoke Mask delivers unparalleled protection by absorbing hazardous toxins, such as Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen Cyanide and 100% of particulate matter common to the smoke in fires. The mask utilized an all-natural moisturizing agent that allows for easy breathing and should be used while leaving a smoke-filled area. The mask is effective for a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes or longer depending on the conditions and the type of filter involved.  Thousands of professional firefighters use the Xcaper filter to protect them from harmful gases and particulate when performing their jobs.

Q:

How does the Xcaper Smoke Mask work?

A:

The Xcaper smoke mask/filter uses a combination of mediums to filter gases, vapors and particulate matter. Specially formulated material inside the pillow-like filter traps particulates and absorbs gases and vapors before they reach the mouth and throat. Breathing is free and easy while wearing the Xcaper smoke mask as throat and lung tissues are protected.  The elements used are negatively charged polystyrene beads and an all natural plant extract. With this combination of elements, the filter captures particulate matter, which carries a positive charge by attracting it to the negatively charged beads. In addition, the stickiness of the gel also traps the particulate matter so it won’t reach your mouth and lungs.

Q:

What particulate, vapors & gases does the Xcaper Smoke Mask filter?

A:

The Xcaper Smoke Mask will capture smoke, dust, airborne fiber and other particulate matter as miniscule as 3/10ths of a micron (a strand of hair is about 10 microns).  It will also filters 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.

Q:

When would I need to use the Xcaper Smoke Mask?

A:

The Xcaper Smoke Mask is to be used when evacuating from smoke filled areas. If a fire were to break out in your home, office or hotel room, you could be overcome by smoke in seconds. The Xcaper Smoke Mask will allow you to continue breathing in that environment giving you and your loved ones time to escape.

Q:

How long will the Xcaper smoke mask work?

A:

Unopened, the Xcaper smoke mask will last 3 to 5 years depending on which mask you own (see chart, above). The Xcaper Smoke Mask Kit 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 20 to 30 minutes of breathing time while evacuating from a smoke filled area.

Q:

What comes with the Xcaper Smoke Mask Kit?

A:

The Xcaper Enterprise Smoke Mask Kit comes with one Xcaper Smoke Mask in its easy to open vacuum sealed bag, one pair of Xcaper goggles, one LED flashlight, one whistle with lanyard; and one dry practice filter, all of which are contained in a convenient Hip Pak that can be attached to your belt or arm.  The MyXcaper Personal Smoke Mask Kit comes with  Xcaper Goggles and is packaged in a slim carry bag that can be easily packed in a purse or briefcase.

Q:

When can/should the Xcaper Smoke Mask be used?

A: 

The Xcaper Smoke Mask is most often used for evacuation from a fire in high-rise office buildings, hotels, homes, ships, subway systems, or just about anywhere people gather. It could also be used in the event of large-scale wildland fires where the smoke travels into residential areas and causes breathing problems. For maximum effectiveness, the Xcaper Smoke Mask should be used with Xcaper Goggles.

Q:

Is it hard to breathe with the Xcaper Smoke Mask on?

A: 

No. It is very easy and even intuitive to use. A “dry”, non-active training mask is available in the Xcaper Smoke Mask Kit along with an easy to read user’s instruction sheet. As long as the mask covers the nose and mouth, whether “right side up”, “wrong side up”, “backwards”, “forward” etc. the mask will filter effectively. It is packaged in an easy to open pouch that was glow in the dark luminescent strips to aid in opening it in the dark.

Q:

Can the Xcaper Smoke Mask be reused?

A: 

No. It is a one-time use product and should be disposed of after use.

Q:

Will the Xcaper Smoke Mask system protect me against chemical agents like nerve gas?

A: 

While we believe that our filter would be effective against some chemical agents, it has not been tested against them we don’t want to make any claims that we can not substantiate. Additionally, most chemical agents of this type can be absorbed through the skin so a full body protective system would be required for a proper level of protection.

Q:

Will the Xcaper Smoke Mask system protect me against biological agents like bacteria and viruses?

A: 

While we believe that our filter would be effective against biological agents, it has not been tested against them we don’t want to make any claims that we can not substantiate. We have had an outside chemical engineer review this issue and the indication is that the filter would be effective. If in a given situation the mask were the only protection available, it would be better to use it than to use nothing at all. We will be conducting additional testing on this issue.

Q:

Will the Xcaper Smoke Mask system protect me against radiological contaminated particles?

A: 

While we believe that our filter would be effective against radiological contaminated particles, it has not been tested against them we don’t want to make any claims that we can not substantiate. We have had an outside chemical engineer review this issue and the indication is that the filter would be effective. If in a given situation the mask were the only protection available, it would be better to use it than to use nothing at all. We will be conducting additional testing on this issue.

Q:

Is it hard to learn how to put the Xcaper Smoke Mask on?

A: 

No. It is very easy and even intuitive to use. A “dry”, non-active training mask is available in the Xcaper Smoke Mask Kit along with an easy to read user’s instruction sheet. As long as the mask covers the nose and mouth, whether “right side up”, “wrong side up”, “backwards”, “forward” etc. the mask will filter effectively. It is packaged in an easy to open pouch that was glow in the dark luminescent strips to aid in opening it in the dark.

Q:

Who is using the Xcaper smoke mask system?

A: 

Firefighters, major corporations, government agencies, law enforcement and security agencies are now using the Xcaper Filter or Xcaper Smoke mask both of which are use the patented Whiffs moist filtration technology.  For a list of our satisfied customers please visit the customer section of this Website.

Q:

How is smoke and gas filtered by the Xcaper Smoke Filter?

A: 

The Xcaper Smoke Filter is based on the patented Whiffs filtration technology. It is the world’s first and only moist filter.  The proprietary all natural gel used in the Xcaper Smoke Filter absorbs and neutralizes vapors and gasses.  The positively charged particulate matter is captured by the negatively charged beads.    

Q:

What particulate and gases will the Xcaper filter system filter?

A: 

The Xcaper filter will capture smoke, dust, airborne fiber and other particulate matter down to about 1/3 microns. It will also filter water-soluble gases known as anhydrites to about 95%. It also filters other dangerous gases commonly found in air in and around a fire such as acrolein, hydrogen cyanide, hydrochloric acid and chlorine to name a few. The filter also neutralizes in excess of 90% of carbon monoxide.

Q:

Is it hard to breathe through the Xcaper filter?

A: 

The Xcaper Easy Breathe Smoke Filter cloth is specially designed to allow working firefighter to breathe under difficult conditions.  For high altitude or extremely strenuous work, we recommend the Xcaper Easy Breathe 2 Smoke Filter.

Q:

What is the Xcaper Smoke Filter made of?

 A:

The Xcaper Smoke Filter cloth is made of fire resistant polyester filled with negatively charged polystyrene beads. This cloth meets California Fire Standard and can withstand a direct flame for over 38 seconds before it begins to melt. Polyester is used because it is possible to heat set the opening in the pique weave of the cloth during its manufacturing process, which it will then hold during the life of the product, and because it will not absorb moisture. This polyester weave allows the water vapor from the wearer’s breath to pass through the cloth and drip out the bottom of the filter during use, instead of absorbing the moisture and potentially reducing the filter’s effectiveness. Remember that each exhalation is approximately 6.8% water vapor.

Q:

Won’t the Styrene beads melt or off gas at high temperatures?

A: 

Yes they will off gas, but at 810° F/432° C. Therefore, if the beads are off gassing, the user has a much greater problem, this means that the user would have to literally be on fire.

Q:

Why is the Xcaper Smoke Filter wet?

 A:

Our filter is moist because we use a gel all natural proprietary gel as one of the filtering elements. The Xcaper moist filter is the worlds first and only moist direct contact smoke particulate and vapors filter. The filter is moist because it is with this moisture that we dilute and absorb the gases and vapors produced by fires. The gases are absorbed into the slightly high pH gel (just under 9.0). It is the combination of the high pH of the gel and the water molecule in the gel that neutralizes hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide gas is found in nearly every structural overhaul situation and is the most dangerous to firefighters conducting overhaul operations. Its “stickiness” also captures small particulate matter that may pass through a dry filter medium.

Q:

What is the wetting agent used in the Xcaper filter?

A: 

We use an extract of the plant know as Aloe Vera. Our base aloe is the same one used by many hospitals to rehydrate damaged lungs. Aloe is unique because it has a water molecule surrounded by an oil molecule. It is this combination that attracts the gases and vapors found in fires. The “slick” feel of the aloe is the oil layer. This layer will not be diluted by water vapor from the wearer’s breath; in fact we have recently learned that the filter’s ability to filter gases is slightly enhanced by the combination of the water vapor and carbon dioxide from the wearer’s exhalation with the aloe gel in the filter.

Q:

Can the Xcaper Smoke Mask be reused?

A: 

No. It is a one-time use product and should be disposed of after use.

Q:

Has the Xcaper Smoke Filter been tested?

A: 

Aside from years of field testing by professional firefighters, an independent laboratory, RNK Enviornmental, Inc., performed a series of tests of the Xcaper professional filter in accordance with British Standard EN 403. The abbreviated test results shown below are the mean of two tests over 16 minutes for both the Easy Breathe and Easy Breathe 2 filter.  For complete test data please visit the technical section of this Website

Q:.

Has NIOSH set a standard for this type of moist direct contact smoke/gases filtration?

 A:

No. There is no NIOSH standard for this type of product. After discussions with NIOSH staff in 2002, they agreed that this was a new technology and that a new standard for this type of “moist direct contact smoke particulate/gases filter” was needed. All other filters used in this and similar fashions to date have fallen under the “gap” filtration type.  Gap filtration means a space between the wearer’s mouth and the filter element. Now that we have completed the BS EN 403 testing described above, representatives from NIOSH believe it is now the appropriate time to begin developing a standard for moist direct contact smoke particulate/gases filters.

Q:

Who is using the Xcaper smoke mask system?

A: 

Firefighters, major corporations, government agencies, law enforcement and security agencies are now using the Xcaper Filter or Xcaper Smoke mask both of which are use the patented Whiffs moist filtration technology.  For a list of our satisfied customers please visit the customer section of this Website.