quote:

Originally posted by thewrangler:
Am i the only one that think that we should be able to have facial hair? mustache, goatee, and a trimmed beard at most? i understand that the biggest reason is suction for the SCBA's, but i know tons of certified divers with facial hair that have no problems with that, and they are under water!!!!

comments?

quote:

Originally posted by lovatscot:
Gee I think it was during WWI when they started using poison gas, and since then nerve and Bio wpns. I don't know about you- have a beard, etc If you want, but I was damn glad when the warning went off that there was nothing keeping my protective mask fom sealing AIR Tight!

quote:

Originally posted by thewrangler:

quote:

Originally posted by lovatscot:
Gee I think it was during WWI when they started using poison gas, and since then nerve and Bio wpns. I don't know about you- have a beard, etc If you want, but I was damn glad when the warning went off that there was nothing keeping my protective mask fom sealing AIR Tight!

air tight = water tight. i still dont see the reason behind it.. of course if we all had huge amush beards it wouldn't be air/water, but if we kept them trimmed it's not a problem at all. at minumum a goatee, bc for one, a goatee is completely covered by the mask and the mask goes around it. i just think it frankly bull....

quote:

Originally posted by DragonRider01:

quote:

Originally posted by thewrangler:

quote:

Originally posted by lovatscot:
Gee I think it was during WWI when they started using poison gas, and since then nerve and Bio wpns. I don't know about you- have a beard, etc If you want, but I was damn glad when the warning went off that there was nothing keeping my protective mask fom sealing AIR Tight!

air tight = water tight. i still dont see the reason behind it.. of course if we all had huge amush beards it wouldn't be air/water, but if we kept them trimmed it's not a problem at all. at minumum a goatee, bc for one, a goatee is completely covered by the mask and the mask goes around it. i just think it frankly bull....

Yes, air tight = water tight, but it does not mean that water tight equals air tight. If there is facial hair, e.g., beards, that can prevent an air tight seal and allow poisonous gases to enter through miniscule openings in the face-mask contact area. That is the rationale for not allowing beards or other large facial hair that would prevent an adequate seal.

quote:

Originally posted by MastersMate:
From the sea service perspective, 1966 onwards. Beards could be worn aboard ships at sea with a special request chit run through the ships executive officer. If I recall, they had to be shaved off after 72 hours return to port. Early 1970 Adm Zumwalt authorized beards to be worn by US Navy personnel, the Coast Guard followed along with the policy. There were stipulations about damage control personnel needing a seal for the OBA fire equipment.

The U.S. Navy discontinued the authorization to wear neatly trimmed beards in about 1984. The CNO at the time decreed that sailors could not present a professional appearance if sporting whiskers. In 1986, a few days after becoming cammandant, Adm Yost also decreed that Coast Guardsmen could not be professional if they were sporting whiskers.

Had nothing to do with air packs or face seal for a gas mask. Strictly the heads of each sea service did not want their personnel wearing beards. An appearance issue, not safety.

quote:

Originally posted by DragonRider01:
Yes, air tight = water tight, but it does not mean that water tight equals air tight. If there is facial hair, e.g., beards, that can prevent an air tight seal and allow poisonous gases to enter through miniscule openings in the face-mask contact area. That is the rationale for not allowing beards or other large facial hair that would prevent an adequate seal.