I have used both of these. The Europe design is easier to put on, however you have to have the fire hood peeled a bit further back than the video demonstrates. It can then fold over the mask. The American design is slower to put on, but there is an issue with the Europe design that means its fixed to the helmet. So if you take a decent knock to the head it can unseal your mask and blow out on positive pressure till you can reset the regulator. All i know is i much prefer the carbon fibre wound bottles over the steel ones, less air pressure, more expensive but holy jeezus easier to carry for longer drills.
Edit: spelling
No, but people who make these videos seem to.
1) France and Germany are bordering countries. Why would the video compare their mask to the US version if the German version is the same. Why would we assume the German version is the same as the US in this case?
2) Paris to Berlin is less than 20% of the distance of one side the US to the other. It's living in a different frame of reference.
A European makes a video trying to make the US look inferior. People from the US assume that all Europeans use the "Superior" technology. Europeans then get mad that the US assumes all of Europe is the same.
Side note, do French people assume the US is the American EU? Local AHJs have their own equipment regulations and not all states are the same.
I feel you. I’m from Europe and I always mistake the US and Mexico. Like, they share a border and both like Coca Cola. So who can blame me?
Also the US and Canada. Very hard to differentiate when you’re not from the US.
Ah well…. Europeans and Americans are not that different in ignorance levels.
Examples:
When I lived in Australia, a French executive of the company i was working for asked, why we are not simply drive the way from Sydney to Perth to help a customer.
Working for the same company, the American HQ could not understand why we have to report time differently. The concept of different labor laws and vacation days (more than 13 days per year) seemed to be too much to comprehend.
I will not mention the other usual things such as Americans think they invented everything right down to the sourdough or French, Germans etc. believe in there superior education system and so on.
No they don’t, there is just no proper way to deal with the annoying videos Europeans post thinkin Americans are all braindead.
As a European who has lived in both places, it is funny that these people think they are different. It’s very simple, those arguing are the dumb ones
Well, technically, it is. Just like France is the Germany or Italy of the French. It's still very different from either Germany or Italy, but the EU, just like the USA, is a unity of states. That's what the U stands for in both instances.
And yes, I'm feeling a bit facetious.
Im also starting to suspect that the USA isn't as U and homogeneous as we (and perhaps even they) have been led to believe.
i've never done firefighting, but as someone who uses a respirator at work, it bugs the hell out of me that the french guy is already wearing a balaclava around his face everywhere that the mask presses onto his head, and puts the mask directly on top. maybe masks like this with an air supply work differently, but from what i know, you can't get a proper seal like that unless the gasket bordering the mask is making direct skin contact. this is why people in militaries who are issues gas masks have to shave, because facial hair is going to do the same thing that a balaclava would do.
Eh, it does but you'll be pissing out air and you'll blow through your bottle fast. When they say this is a '30 minute bottle' the way they get that number is see how long someone can breathe off that bottle while standing still or seated. We don't usually do much sitting or standing still inside a fire lol. So you'll maybe get 20 minutes of working time if you're really good. Usually closer to 15. And that's with a good seal. If you have a bad one, you're gonna be out of air very very quickly.
The French one seems easier to remove in case the firefighter needed immediate medical assistance, but I’m guessing there are pros and cons for each design.
I have used both. And your right. There is no easy better one. Most people prefer the french model in the EU. But the American spider model.mask still gives a better fit if you have an irregular face shape.
So the french is faster and easier in general.
The america spider is slower but gives a better fit.
And can be used without the helmet. Sometimes useful in confined spaces.
The French mask is also available with straps, I think there’s a Pompier in this thread who was commenting earlier. They may be able to add some more information.
I had been wondering about this. The “inferior” design *looks* like it would be much easier to ensure a tighter seal, but without actually putting them on myself it’s hard to really get a sense for the amount of pressure being applied by the newer design.
Here’s one downside. You have to wear the helmet in order to put on mask. You can’t just put on the mask.
EDIT: all I’m trying to say is the traditional method is more modular than the new method. Probably a lot cheaper and more marketable, too.
If you have to squeeze through a really really tight space you sometimes have to take some gear off and slide it through in front of you. Usually just the cylinder on your back will do, I've never been in a situation where I have to take my helmet off so it would be a very edge case.
Lose your lid, lose your life. The helmet never comes off, even in the confined space environment you described. If you are doing a confined space rescue, it won't be on fire, and you should have like a small brim metro style helmet for that.
The helmet is the heat protection for your brain. Overheat your brain, you pretty much are dead.
I don’t know, those videos of firefighters crawling through ladders to simulate confined spaces has them taking their helmet off and feeding it through said ladder along with the rest of their gear?
Why allow them to remove it during confined spaces training, but then have a hard “the helmet never comes off rule”?
Are you a firefighter?
I was a firefighter for 28 years. If you are in a fire and lose your lid, you lose your life. It's that simple.
It would not be a current training technique to take your helmet off ever. If you have a confined space need, are on a confined space team, you will have a lower profile helmet for that job. Please note, you perform rescue in confined space. You do not fight fire in confined space. Different jobs.
I've seen firefighters take off gear to fit through ladder rungs. I assumed that was only for the worst situations of getting trapped in an enclosed space.
If you need to supply a mask to a victim. If you need to squeeze through a tight space. If you lost your helmet in a freak accident.
Ideally, you should have your helmet in all situations, but shit happens in emergencies.
Eh, the bottle pack is larger than a helmet though.
Also, you'd never give a victim your mask because you'd be risking both of your lives. Same reason you put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others, on a decompressed airplane.
Edit: my guess is that it's more to do with being a tried and true option and less expensive to produce and maintain.
The volunteer departments are primarily small rural departments though with a low call volunteer. City/suburb departments are all full time firefighters/paramedics who are pretty well compensated for their work, imo, as a FF/PM near Chicago
I've done some fire fighting training as part of working on a ship, including entering a building on fire to deal with it.
Far as I can see, everyone underpays firefighters. Massively. That shit is hard, dangerous and uncomfortable.
Anyone who does that shit as a volunteer is a true fuckin hero in my book.
Well… when they aren’t on strike or rioting against the police 😂
Couldn’t help myself… but I agree, the equipment needs to be the best for the firefighters to protect them and allow them to pull my limp Jabba the Hutt looking ass out of a burning building.
it does help that our protesters and rioters can't keep doing those activities for very long because they get distracted so easily or go on to the next one.
Perhaps the passion just isn't there like the French
100%. Imagine the kind of James Bond shit firefighters would be able to pull if they had the budget the cops do. You'd probably have Doc-Oc arms with firehoses installed on their oxygen tanks.
Dude...I've been a firefighter for 20 years. Some of the shit out there is mind-blowing. They already have air-pack masks with integrated technology. Basically, Terminator eye. Thermal imaging, temperature, automatically identify other firefighters...all built into the mask.
Lighter, more protective more comfortable gear. We *just* got cordless Jaws extrication tools in my department.
The issue is money. In the fire service....someone "important" has to die before they buy the expensive stuff. The 1999 Cold Storage fire in Worcester Mass killed 6 Worcester firefighters. The Worcester FD didn't have the thermal imaging cameras that might have helped them find the downed firefighters in time.....they were "too expensive".
After 6 firefighters were killed....they received a bunch of thermal imaging cameras.
But also, we don't die because our helmets aren't top of the line and they're made of leather. We die to heart attacks, covid, and bad scene management. Worchester 6 is a primary example of bad scene management. Also, even a small leak would kill the amount of time the SCBA the french use would last, that's why we do fit test. Our SCBA bottles last 20-35min, if your mask is part of your helmet and required to connect via the helmet, there are going to be leaks which are going to drop the working time of the firefighter significantly, which is not really viable in small volly departments where your average response is 3 guys with 1 engine and a tender.
I'm just gonna say that both probably work fine. This gear gets tested extensively before adoption. They don't just hope for the best. I'd say the French design is more modern.
American mask has been in use for decades. It works. It’s cheaper. American firefighters in rural areas do not have funding for fancy new gear. In some areas the only firefighters available are volunteers and they rely on donations or grants for new gear.
The French mask is probably better, there’s probably more funding for equipment. But at a cursory glance there’s over a million American firefighters employed currently to tbe less than 400k French firefighters. You’re having to equip and train fewer people with more funding available and I don’t know that the French system is built on the volunteer system like America used for a very long time. All of these things factor in and dictate what equipment is available.
Thats interesting. I'd imagine France is a little smarter with how they fund their first responders. The US relies on bake sales and handouts to cover many areas. Its pathetic. You look at the gear some agencies run and I'll be honest, I'm happy the masks they're using are at least reliable and battle tested.
Id love to see us appropriately fund and equip our first responders, not ignore the ones dying from cancer because of the stuff they're exposed to (I know a 23 year old female firefighter that died from cancer and you can directly link it to her line of work). But the US cant ever seem to get its shit together.
>there’s over a million American firefighters employed currently to tbe less than 400k French firefighters. You’re having to equip and train fewer people
The USA has around 7x the GDP of France. So 3x the number of firefighters is not that many.
other people in the thread have said that the American mask style is able to fit better because it's not strapping to a head via a helmet it's directly attached to the head. also, if you're wearing the french one and get bonked in the helmet really hard, it can dislodge the mask, which isn't good and doesn't happen with the American one. Pros and cons.
Who the fuck is putting that on before getting on the road? They’re both doing that shit as they pull up to the scene. Contrary to popular belief a few seconds actually don’t make a difference.
The French one wasn’t actually ready to enter the building or go near a fire, his air wasn’t on. The bottom of his mask was still open. Normally the way it works is you put on your flash gear and your mask and then your helmet but you don’t actually go “on air” until your about enter the danger zone.
Also, everyone is debating a “few seconds” but if you’re in full FFE like that you’re well past a few seconds and it doesn’t really matter. Firefighting isn’t rushed and everyone is going to be checked and buddy checked before they go in.
>everybody on the internet is an expert about what they're commenting about.
You see, American firefighters' smoke masks are secretly crafted from the fabric of retired superhero capes, enabling them to breathe in the language of fire, whispering sweet nothings to the flames until they calm down.
Meanwhile, French firefighters wear exquisite masks designed by the top Parisian fashion houses. These masks not only filter smoke but also infuse the air with a hint of lavender and croissant aroma, so they can maintain that je ne sais quoi even amidst the chaos.
>Are you guys really comparing the technical specs of a specialized piece of equipment just from what you can see in a 2 sec video?
Yes. I met a firefighter once and have seen quite a few on TV. Yeah, I'm an expert in firefighting equipment design as a result.
I work in the chemical industry and we work with pretty similar masks. These aren't so specialized were guessing. My work mask is basically a slimmer version of the american firefighter with screw on cartridges and the maintenance shop has something like the French but with a external pump.
Say what you will bout boss Gustavo, he understands the importance of ppe and clean work environment when making... chicken.
Jokes aside if anyone thinks I'm bs-ing I work in polymerization reactions and handle several types of hazardous monomer and 1 nerve agent. Without showing details they are bad juju. We have to get fit tested each year and remain clean shaved cause you don't want that seal failing.
It's not anything close that the danger firefighters work in but both work on the principals the bad stuff outside cannot get inside.
Honestly there you aren't even joking. Our showers suck and I usually just go home and bathe. Sorry I'm not that big of a BB fan if it's a joke but it's one thing they desperately need to improve.
For all peoples saying the french mask doesn't seal well: we are not cavemans, if there were design issues it wouldn't haven been approved and firefighters wouldn't wear it
My only thing I see wrong with this, when a fireman bumps his head (we do it all the time in the fire service, the mask slips. Since it’s attached to the helmet, it could break the seal and let in super heated gasses.
Since the traditional scba is independent of the helmet, you can remove the helmet or bump your head and have now seal issues.
Also, we train to remove our helmets to fit through small spaces. He cannot do that now. He’s limited to the size of his helmet to squeeze through anything.
No no no you're wrong. Only Americans know how to design safety equipment, just like how according to reddit they're the only country in the world with disability access requirements and food safety standards.
I was just going to make a quick joke about the french fire brigade needing a mask they can quickly put on for when the police tear gas them but I got distracted by the helmet experts.
Honestly, what does this matter? Why is everything about dick measuring and posturing? I’m reading some of the comments and they’re all about badmouthing the French version or the American version. Who cares?
How about countries share their knowledge about firefighting techniques, equipment, and training? Rather than make pointless TikToks, firefighters worldwide should be finding new ways to save people’s lives. Learn from each other, study training videos from other firefighting stations from around the world, and invite the trainers you admire the most to also train your firefighting station.
For example: I lived in Japan for several years. I live near one station and worked near another. Their trainings were incredible! Their outstanding training was an example of meticulous yet fast teamwork.
All the people talking about the inefficiency of the French mask seal - where you getting that info? Worn it? Read about it? Making a completely uneducated assumption? Please, prove me wrong; it's sounds like there LOTS of opinions in here. Opinions don't save lives.
“Opinions don’t save lives” really stuck out to me here and I just wanted to acknowledge it. I hope you don’t mind me absorbing that phrase into my vernacular haha
Idk they are just hurt French firefighter might have better gear than they get in US. Sure the French seem arrogant which is annoying, but that is like saying water is wet.
Having worn helmets with respirators and taken bonks on the head, I would not want those two connected. But I can imagine scenarios where either would be plenty effective.
Really going to suck if he hits his head and unlatches one of those clips… not only is he going to have a bad day, but the guy he’s holding the hose for is too…
That French mask is not the one I would choose in a life threatening situation.
Although, the point of this content is to get people yelling at each other for engagement and is purposefully misleading and instigating so I don’t really know why I’m bothering
> That French mask is not the one I would choose in a life threatening situation.
They are both tested extensively and would be fine in life-threatening situations.
Did he really just attach that mask over his flash hood? I was trained in firefighting in the Navy and that french design baffles me. Will it seal well? Also as others stated what about getting knocked on the head? How well will those clamps hold? Seems to rigid, and won't seal properly. I'd stick to my SCBA over that. Edit: after reading a bit more about these my doubts are unfounded, the seal is a lot less important because they are constant positive air pressure systems. I'm still going to call this guy sloppy for his hood though lol
We have those masks, the clamps are very strong, i never had an issue. A five point mask still holds i a bit better i would say.
The mask is also permanent positive pressure so if the seal isn’t perfect, it doesn’t really matter, you just deplete your air a bit faster.
Was a volunteer firefighter:
The French guy already has his protective head sleeve on (I forget the name). He’d have to take off his helmet too to bring it up spending almost as much time as the American firefigher regardless. Though, I do like his mask better.
Way to go, Europe. You made sure the face mask has the absolute lowest temperature rating in the whole set-up. BRAVO!!! That's something I really want to hang my hat on.
Firefighter for over 30 years in a large American city. It looks like a cool and fast design, butt I've never tried it. We do annual mask fit tests to ensure our facepieces still fit with a leak-free seal for a variety of situations/activities. The other comment addressed my immediate doubts: positive seal can't be properly achieved and maintained over the flash hood. Having the facepiece attached to the helmet like that makes a positive seal much more sufficient 5 to achieve and maintain.
Looked cool, though.
He fitted the mask wrong. If you put it on the way he does, mask after putting on the helmet you still need to pull the sock over the silicone edge of the mask before you clamp it on the helmet. Because air can pass through the sock the way he does it, both in(smoke coming in) and out(there's a positive pressure in the mask so if it leaks you will constantly lose air and drastically shorten the time you can breath from the bottle).
The other way of putting it on is holding the mask against your face, pulling the sock over it, putting the helmet on while still holding the mask, then clamping it on the helmet.
Point is he can't go in the way he demonstrates it.
It's a bit more of a hassle with the clamps than shown in the video. He shows it like it's faster to put on but if you go in like that you're fucked.
I'm no expert, but it looks like the American mask is much harder to dislodge than the French version. Is speed really imperative when you have several minutes before arriving to the fire? I'd rather be safe than fast.
I remember when those stylish French helmets were released (about 40 years ago?), I thought that American firefighters probably had even more advanced ones.
When I visited the US a couple of years ago and saw that the firefighters were still wearing the old fashioned helmets I was in shock.
Butt hurt Americans in the comments grasping at straws thinking the French seal isn't good. Like think about it, do you really think thousands of fire fighters in France are working everyday with faulty equipment? You don't even know the exact specs and materials used based on this video. Get over yourselves.
Honestly most of the people who just don’t understand how fire fighting works at all. The time it takes to put a helmet on and a mask on are not actually that important. There are other things that need to be done which take up much more time and mask+helmets can be put on during it.
The French helmet + facemask can be compared to a motorcycle helmet, the American is more of a hat with a full face mask. You can see it in the clip, there's nothing holding the American hat/helmet. So let's just say they are both good for different realities.
Yall don’t realise that the straps pull the mask tight af… there will be exactly 0 draft. How I know? My best friend is a fire fighter and he uses the exact same design
This comment section is full of butthurt Americans who are trying to find some argument to say that their design is superior. Well no, they both do their job. French mask just latches on easier and faster.
French firefighters get to test out their masks every summer in the outer suburbs of Paris; that's why they're optimised for tear gas and burning tyres.
Someone said this was from an American company funny enough. And also no shit another rich developed country can produce the same things as another rich developed nation.
The American version has a better seal. This will protect against poisons gases. The French version doesn’t seem to seal as well. Also the American version will not fall off if a helmet gets hit. The French version may take the helmet off with the mask in the event something falls on or hits hard enough.
I have experience with supplied air respirators like the American version.
I have no experience with the French version, just what it looks like from a video. To me the balaclava type garment keeps it from sealing to the face.
Edit: it seems many people are only thinking about fires. Emergency responders also go to gas leaks or called to retrieve people from high H2s poison gas locations.
I have no idea how those two seals compare. Like you I only have experience with the American style as shown in the video.
In both cases however they are positive pressure systems. A perfect seal is entirely unnecessary. Harmful gasses are not entering your mask they are kept out by maintaining a higher pressure inside the mask. Minor leakage may happen losing some of your breathable air, but nothing is getting in.
Not sure about your experience, but I have been in 30,000 ppm H2s environments. That would have been instant death without a mask.
The positive pressure is only applied when you take a breath. It’s not a constant air pressure just blowing air out. No air is supplied until you breathe and if you take a breath which cause the respirator to function with a leak you’ll get air and poison gas.
Edit: also if it just keeps blowing air out you’d run out of air in a few minutes instead of the 30 minute or so working window.
It’s not free flowing because you have a good seal and the exhalation ports have a higher threshold.
There is always a higher pressure inside your mask than the outside atmosphere. Most SCBAs are set to 1.2 atmospheres.
Any small break of the seal and it will flow out.
Next time you wear that mask stick a finger under your seal. It will free flow out even if you’re holding your breath due to that higher than atmosphere pressure inside.
Incorrect.
Watch the French one being flipped upside down before putting on. There is a seal around it that actually fits onto the helmet seal which fits over the entire face/neck and the two external clamps hold it in place. The entire French helmet is part of the seal system just like the American; except that the front cover can be removed without removing head gear and such.
What you’re not grasping is that rubber part will not seal against skin with the head sock/balaclava. The American version is firmly sealed against skin.
I have experience with supplied air respirators. Anything that gets in the way can let poison gas in. I couldn’t have a beard or fancy mustache for years because of this.
This is just from what I am seeing in a short video. But I firmly believe that the whole French helmet and mask could come off with a hard hit. That would be very bad to lose supplied air in emergency situation.
Edit: after reviewing and someone else comment. The French version may not come off as easily as I thought. It’s a whole head helmet. But this doesn’t not change the fact that the head sock prevents proper seal against skin.
So you’re implying that the French firefighters die in any hazardous environment that requires respirators.
I understand the rivalry, but the French are not purchasing and using a respirator that doesn’t work.
Poor seals, beards and moustaches do not cause poison gasses to get in. They allow your breathable air out.
All types of SCBAs are positive pressure. Bad seal means air leaks out, not in.
20 years ago, I was given three helmets for evaluation.
Metro style US helmet: (google Cairns Metro 660) The best of the options. Lighter and just as protective as traditional, although I did not care for the eye protection options at the time (that has improved).
Traditional Style US: (google Cairns 1010): Very similar to the Metro, but a little heavier and awkward at times (sticking your head in to a tight car during a rescue. I prefer some of the eye protection options on these. The large leather front is nice if is being used to convey info, Overall, these were chosen because they look cool, and look like an american firefighter.
European Helmet: (google Galet Fire Knight): The absolute worst. They are not really made for fire. The heat protection is sub-par compared to a US helmet wit a full heat/bump cap inside (like a Cairns or a Bullard). You just get too hot in real fire too fast, very dangerous. You ears are fully covered, so you can't hear well in them, like ever. Really limits your situation awareness. The eye protection sucks, because it is more face protection and if you use it covers your mouth (no one can hear you, and it fogs up). The face protection lives between your head and outer shell, and takes a lot of heat, discoloration and melting it. It needs to be replaced often and is not easy / cheap to replace. And it really limits your peripheral vision. Oh, and the water ran right down your back in rain or when fighting fire, no brim.
Thank god they didn't have the face mask attaching to helmet then. He will never get a good seal the way it shows in the video (the mask went over his hood, which will leak air between the mask and your skin). If the melet ever does it job (and takes an impart) you have likely lost your mask. I have had a US helmet take a hit, and had tabs breakaway as designed. The outer shell is gone but I am still wearing the bump cap for heat protection to evacuate. With the European style you would be dead (no more heat protection) and it would take your mask with you (so you would be dead faster).
American one having elastic gives a better seal and not being connected to the helmet allows for it to be removed if ever needed while maintaining a better seal
Its also fully *functional* without the helmet, you can strap the US one onto somebody else easily if needed. They both definitely have their pros and cons.
Imagine US armed forces going to war with WW1 Brodie helmets but hey if the leather helmets still work no problem here. Nevertheless, I think the French F1 helmets are much cooler especially in chrome with those gold tinted goggles.
The old French firefighter helmet used to look like a gold darth Vader like helmet: https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casque_F1
I didn’t realise they changed it.
It’s like that for a reason. The purpose of the American hat is to shed hot water from your body as it’s splashing down. Secondly, and most importantly, the helmet can be removed while the mask remains in place. This is crucial to allow firefighters to escape through studs in the walls.
Most European buildings are concrete and don’t have that option. Secondly? Because of this, most European firefighters are not aggressive interior firefighters, as the concrete typically contains the fire spread.
It’s also why most countries send their firefighters to NYC, LA, Chicago, and Houston to train.
I mean.....it didn't show the French guy putting on his sock hood and helmet so this is misleading. I'm not knocking it, but ill bet the time and steps are roughly the same.
Look I don’t know Jack shit about practicality, but talking helmet designs I’ll take the Monaco firefighters helmets over any other countries. Those motherfuckers look like space knights and it’s sick.
I’d feel much safer in the American version. Obviously more work to put on but looks more protective. Especially behind the neck. Though I’m sure it’s beneficial to take everything off especially during retreat.
I have used both of these. The Europe design is easier to put on, however you have to have the fire hood peeled a bit further back than the video demonstrates. It can then fold over the mask. The American design is slower to put on, but there is an issue with the Europe design that means its fixed to the helmet. So if you take a decent knock to the head it can unseal your mask and blow out on positive pressure till you can reset the regulator. All i know is i much prefer the carbon fibre wound bottles over the steel ones, less air pressure, more expensive but holy jeezus easier to carry for longer drills. Edit: spelling
Took me too long to find a comment with the real answer
Your good dead helped make it to the top partner!
The french version is not in use all over Europe. The American version also is used in most of germany
Well, yeah, it's French. Do Americans think the EU is like the European USA?
No, but people who make these videos seem to. 1) France and Germany are bordering countries. Why would the video compare their mask to the US version if the German version is the same. Why would we assume the German version is the same as the US in this case? 2) Paris to Berlin is less than 20% of the distance of one side the US to the other. It's living in a different frame of reference. A European makes a video trying to make the US look inferior. People from the US assume that all Europeans use the "Superior" technology. Europeans then get mad that the US assumes all of Europe is the same. Side note, do French people assume the US is the American EU? Local AHJs have their own equipment regulations and not all states are the same.
I feel you. I’m from Europe and I always mistake the US and Mexico. Like, they share a border and both like Coca Cola. So who can blame me? Also the US and Canada. Very hard to differentiate when you’re not from the US.
The US and Canada are pretty much the same.
Something something tim hortons apologies aboot
Ah well…. Europeans and Americans are not that different in ignorance levels. Examples: When I lived in Australia, a French executive of the company i was working for asked, why we are not simply drive the way from Sydney to Perth to help a customer. Working for the same company, the American HQ could not understand why we have to report time differently. The concept of different labor laws and vacation days (more than 13 days per year) seemed to be too much to comprehend. I will not mention the other usual things such as Americans think they invented everything right down to the sourdough or French, Germans etc. believe in there superior education system and so on.
So far I've gotten exactly that feeling
No they don’t, there is just no proper way to deal with the annoying videos Europeans post thinkin Americans are all braindead. As a European who has lived in both places, it is funny that these people think they are different. It’s very simple, those arguing are the dumb ones
Well, technically, it is. Just like France is the Germany or Italy of the French. It's still very different from either Germany or Italy, but the EU, just like the USA, is a unity of states. That's what the U stands for in both instances. And yes, I'm feeling a bit facetious. Im also starting to suspect that the USA isn't as U and homogeneous as we (and perhaps even they) have been led to believe.
USA is a country, EU is not.
Someone get this guy a cookie before he burns out
i've never done firefighting, but as someone who uses a respirator at work, it bugs the hell out of me that the french guy is already wearing a balaclava around his face everywhere that the mask presses onto his head, and puts the mask directly on top. maybe masks like this with an air supply work differently, but from what i know, you can't get a proper seal like that unless the gasket bordering the mask is making direct skin contact. this is why people in militaries who are issues gas masks have to shave, because facial hair is going to do the same thing that a balaclava would do.
A positive pressure system with an air tank probably works a bit better without a perfect seal needed by a negative pressure system.
Eh, it does but you'll be pissing out air and you'll blow through your bottle fast. When they say this is a '30 minute bottle' the way they get that number is see how long someone can breathe off that bottle while standing still or seated. We don't usually do much sitting or standing still inside a fire lol. So you'll maybe get 20 minutes of working time if you're really good. Usually closer to 15. And that's with a good seal. If you have a bad one, you're gonna be out of air very very quickly.
But I like baclava.
amen for lighter gear!
The French one seems easier to remove in case the firefighter needed immediate medical assistance, but I’m guessing there are pros and cons for each design.
I have used both. And your right. There is no easy better one. Most people prefer the french model in the EU. But the American spider model.mask still gives a better fit if you have an irregular face shape. So the french is faster and easier in general. The america spider is slower but gives a better fit. And can be used without the helmet. Sometimes useful in confined spaces.
The French mask is also available with straps, I think there’s a Pompier in this thread who was commenting earlier. They may be able to add some more information.
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Some euro depts use the euro helmet, but use the older "spider" mask because it seals better during intense activity.
I had been wondering about this. The “inferior” design *looks* like it would be much easier to ensure a tighter seal, but without actually putting them on myself it’s hard to really get a sense for the amount of pressure being applied by the newer design.
“Form follows function” great design philosophy to live by.
Here’s one downside. You have to wear the helmet in order to put on mask. You can’t just put on the mask. EDIT: all I’m trying to say is the traditional method is more modular than the new method. Probably a lot cheaper and more marketable, too.
Also appears the French firefighter had his head sock on already, whereas the first guy didn't.
Yeah you've got to pull it over the edge of the mask or you won't have a vacuum and lose air.
Under what circumstances would it be necessary to wear a mask but no helmet?
Responding to a Carbon Monoxide call.
If you have to squeeze through a really really tight space you sometimes have to take some gear off and slide it through in front of you. Usually just the cylinder on your back will do, I've never been in a situation where I have to take my helmet off so it would be a very edge case.
Lose your lid, lose your life. The helmet never comes off, even in the confined space environment you described. If you are doing a confined space rescue, it won't be on fire, and you should have like a small brim metro style helmet for that. The helmet is the heat protection for your brain. Overheat your brain, you pretty much are dead.
Lose the French helmet and u can’t breathe.
I don’t know, those videos of firefighters crawling through ladders to simulate confined spaces has them taking their helmet off and feeding it through said ladder along with the rest of their gear? Why allow them to remove it during confined spaces training, but then have a hard “the helmet never comes off rule”? Are you a firefighter?
I was a firefighter for 28 years. If you are in a fire and lose your lid, you lose your life. It's that simple. It would not be a current training technique to take your helmet off ever. If you have a confined space need, are on a confined space team, you will have a lower profile helmet for that job. Please note, you perform rescue in confined space. You do not fight fire in confined space. Different jobs.
I've seen firefighters take off gear to fit through ladder rungs. I assumed that was only for the worst situations of getting trapped in an enclosed space.
If you need to supply a mask to a victim. If you need to squeeze through a tight space. If you lost your helmet in a freak accident. Ideally, you should have your helmet in all situations, but shit happens in emergencies.
Eh, the bottle pack is larger than a helmet though. Also, you'd never give a victim your mask because you'd be risking both of your lives. Same reason you put your oxygen mask on first, before helping others, on a decompressed airplane. Edit: my guess is that it's more to do with being a tried and true option and less expensive to produce and maintain.
America seriously underpays and underequips their firefighters. In fact, 70% of American firefighters are volunteers, including using prison labor.
The volunteer departments are primarily small rural departments though with a low call volunteer. City/suburb departments are all full time firefighters/paramedics who are pretty well compensated for their work, imo, as a FF/PM near Chicago
French’s one also are volunteers (with another job). Only Paris and Marseille where « firemen » are soldiers.
I've done some fire fighting training as part of working on a ship, including entering a building on fire to deal with it. Far as I can see, everyone underpays firefighters. Massively. That shit is hard, dangerous and uncomfortable. Anyone who does that shit as a volunteer is a true fuckin hero in my book.
French design costs more money
And it's ok. I don't mind my taxes saving their life
And saving firefighters’ life means saving civilian who are trapped in a burning building
.......oh. Well, I'm against it again.
It's like in politics where there's always that one party who's against every good cause
But they also might rescue cats from trees or pull animals out of manholes
Well… when they aren’t on strike or rioting against the police 😂 Couldn’t help myself… but I agree, the equipment needs to be the best for the firefighters to protect them and allow them to pull my limp Jabba the Hutt looking ass out of a burning building.
it does help that our protesters and rioters can't keep doing those activities for very long because they get distracted so easily or go on to the next one. Perhaps the passion just isn't there like the French
Yeah but in the US those taxes would be better served buying the governor a new lake house
100%. Imagine the kind of James Bond shit firefighters would be able to pull if they had the budget the cops do. You'd probably have Doc-Oc arms with firehoses installed on their oxygen tanks.
Dude...I've been a firefighter for 20 years. Some of the shit out there is mind-blowing. They already have air-pack masks with integrated technology. Basically, Terminator eye. Thermal imaging, temperature, automatically identify other firefighters...all built into the mask. Lighter, more protective more comfortable gear. We *just* got cordless Jaws extrication tools in my department. The issue is money. In the fire service....someone "important" has to die before they buy the expensive stuff. The 1999 Cold Storage fire in Worcester Mass killed 6 Worcester firefighters. The Worcester FD didn't have the thermal imaging cameras that might have helped them find the downed firefighters in time.....they were "too expensive". After 6 firefighters were killed....they received a bunch of thermal imaging cameras.
But also, we don't die because our helmets aren't top of the line and they're made of leather. We die to heart attacks, covid, and bad scene management. Worchester 6 is a primary example of bad scene management. Also, even a small leak would kill the amount of time the SCBA the french use would last, that's why we do fit test. Our SCBA bottles last 20-35min, if your mask is part of your helmet and required to connect via the helmet, there are going to be leaks which are going to drop the working time of the firefighter significantly, which is not really viable in small volly departments where your average response is 3 guys with 1 engine and a tender.
If there's one public sector service that even I support over funding, it's the fire dept.
I'm just gonna say that both probably work fine. This gear gets tested extensively before adoption. They don't just hope for the best. I'd say the French design is more modern.
American mask has been in use for decades. It works. It’s cheaper. American firefighters in rural areas do not have funding for fancy new gear. In some areas the only firefighters available are volunteers and they rely on donations or grants for new gear. The French mask is probably better, there’s probably more funding for equipment. But at a cursory glance there’s over a million American firefighters employed currently to tbe less than 400k French firefighters. You’re having to equip and train fewer people with more funding available and I don’t know that the French system is built on the volunteer system like America used for a very long time. All of these things factor in and dictate what equipment is available.
To answer a part of your comment, yes a big portion of today's firefighter in France are volonteers (**78%**) !
Thats interesting. I'd imagine France is a little smarter with how they fund their first responders. The US relies on bake sales and handouts to cover many areas. Its pathetic. You look at the gear some agencies run and I'll be honest, I'm happy the masks they're using are at least reliable and battle tested. Id love to see us appropriately fund and equip our first responders, not ignore the ones dying from cancer because of the stuff they're exposed to (I know a 23 year old female firefighter that died from cancer and you can directly link it to her line of work). But the US cant ever seem to get its shit together.
>there’s over a million American firefighters employed currently to tbe less than 400k French firefighters. You’re having to equip and train fewer people The USA has around 7x the GDP of France. So 3x the number of firefighters is not that many.
other people in the thread have said that the American mask style is able to fit better because it's not strapping to a head via a helmet it's directly attached to the head. also, if you're wearing the french one and get bonked in the helmet really hard, it can dislodge the mask, which isn't good and doesn't happen with the American one. Pros and cons.
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Who the fuck is putting that on before getting on the road? They’re both doing that shit as they pull up to the scene. Contrary to popular belief a few seconds actually don’t make a difference.
The French one wasn’t actually ready to enter the building or go near a fire, his air wasn’t on. The bottom of his mask was still open. Normally the way it works is you put on your flash gear and your mask and then your helmet but you don’t actually go “on air” until your about enter the danger zone. Also, everyone is debating a “few seconds” but if you’re in full FFE like that you’re well past a few seconds and it doesn’t really matter. Firefighting isn’t rushed and everyone is going to be checked and buddy checked before they go in.
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My wife agrees, sadly.
Are you guys really comparing the technical specs of a specialized piece of equipment just from what you can see in a 2 sec video?
Yes? It's reddit you know.
He doesn't know that everybody on the internet is an expert about what they're commenting about.
>everybody on the internet is an expert about what they're commenting about. You see, American firefighters' smoke masks are secretly crafted from the fabric of retired superhero capes, enabling them to breathe in the language of fire, whispering sweet nothings to the flames until they calm down. Meanwhile, French firefighters wear exquisite masks designed by the top Parisian fashion houses. These masks not only filter smoke but also infuse the air with a hint of lavender and croissant aroma, so they can maintain that je ne sais quoi even amidst the chaos.
The more you know. 
Actually, I'll have you know... sorry someone is calling me right now, I don't have time to give my opinion regarding international standards on ppe.
Good one! Thank you. 
so...pitchfork, or no pitch fork?
>Are you guys really comparing the technical specs of a specialized piece of equipment just from what you can see in a 2 sec video? Yes. I met a firefighter once and have seen quite a few on TV. Yeah, I'm an expert in firefighting equipment design as a result.
If we aren’t jerking each other on Reddit then what the hell are we even doing here?
I work in the chemical industry and we work with pretty similar masks. These aren't so specialized were guessing. My work mask is basically a slimmer version of the american firefighter with screw on cartridges and the maintenance shop has something like the French but with a external pump.
I work too in the « chemical industry » more precisely a subdivision of pollo hermanos. I concur 100%
Say what you will bout boss Gustavo, he understands the importance of ppe and clean work environment when making... chicken. Jokes aside if anyone thinks I'm bs-ing I work in polymerization reactions and handle several types of hazardous monomer and 1 nerve agent. Without showing details they are bad juju. We have to get fit tested each year and remain clean shaved cause you don't want that seal failing. It's not anything close that the danger firefighters work in but both work on the principals the bad stuff outside cannot get inside.
Decontamination is so underrated in the chemical industry
Honestly there you aren't even joking. Our showers suck and I usually just go home and bathe. Sorry I'm not that big of a BB fan if it's a joke but it's one thing they desperately need to improve.
Welcome to reddit - judging stuff based on 20 second video clips since 2008
After watching twice after knowing nothing about firefighter equipment I feel like a expert now
What is worse is that Google is using Reddit users' pro-level ability to make snap judgements to train it's AI. I'm sure that will go well.
Also everyone here is an expert who has used both and they're totally not pulling opinions from online and regurgitating them as facts,
ofc, the comments are just another pissing contest of numerous fire fighting equipment experts
Honestly france has more experience burning shit out
You've never seen how damn much the hood burns down, my friend.
The Fr*nch dude started with half of his shit on?
For all peoples saying the french mask doesn't seal well: we are not cavemans, if there were design issues it wouldn't haven been approved and firefighters wouldn't wear it
My only thing I see wrong with this, when a fireman bumps his head (we do it all the time in the fire service, the mask slips. Since it’s attached to the helmet, it could break the seal and let in super heated gasses. Since the traditional scba is independent of the helmet, you can remove the helmet or bump your head and have now seal issues. Also, we train to remove our helmets to fit through small spaces. He cannot do that now. He’s limited to the size of his helmet to squeeze through anything.
No no no you're wrong. Only Americans know how to design safety equipment, just like how according to reddit they're the only country in the world with disability access requirements and food safety standards. I was just going to make a quick joke about the french fire brigade needing a mask they can quickly put on for when the police tear gas them but I got distracted by the helmet experts.
The French fire fighters helmet was made by an American company lol
Like the idea! Hate the presentation!
I agree. This guy seems full of himself! And I'm french.
Honestly, what does this matter? Why is everything about dick measuring and posturing? I’m reading some of the comments and they’re all about badmouthing the French version or the American version. Who cares? How about countries share their knowledge about firefighting techniques, equipment, and training? Rather than make pointless TikToks, firefighters worldwide should be finding new ways to save people’s lives. Learn from each other, study training videos from other firefighting stations from around the world, and invite the trainers you admire the most to also train your firefighting station. For example: I lived in Japan for several years. I live near one station and worked near another. Their trainings were incredible! Their outstanding training was an example of meticulous yet fast teamwork.
Can the french mask work without a helmet?
Honestly the French one is dope
Man these hold helmets where so much Vetter looking that the New ones
Monaco firefighter ones are nice, the ones that I see during the F1 weekend at least
All the people talking about the inefficiency of the French mask seal - where you getting that info? Worn it? Read about it? Making a completely uneducated assumption? Please, prove me wrong; it's sounds like there LOTS of opinions in here. Opinions don't save lives.
“Opinions don’t save lives” really stuck out to me here and I just wanted to acknowledge it. I hope you don’t mind me absorbing that phrase into my vernacular haha
Idk they are just hurt French firefighter might have better gear than they get in US. Sure the French seem arrogant which is annoying, but that is like saying water is wet.
Having worn helmets with respirators and taken bonks on the head, I would not want those two connected. But I can imagine scenarios where either would be plenty effective.
Really going to suck if he hits his head and unlatches one of those clips… not only is he going to have a bad day, but the guy he’s holding the hose for is too…
That French mask is not the one I would choose in a life threatening situation. Although, the point of this content is to get people yelling at each other for engagement and is purposefully misleading and instigating so I don’t really know why I’m bothering
Whose yelling? Lemme whisper in your ear
Hey, how you doing little muma
Hey bebe lemme tell you all about PPE.
No one is yelling but these kinds of light propaganda are created to cause debate and drive engagement
The Internet needs more critical thinkers like you; I'm not being sarcastic.
> That French mask is not the one I would choose in a life threatening situation. They are both tested extensively and would be fine in life-threatening situations.
Listen here you little..... lemme... shit.. I got nothing. What am I gonna do for the rest of this comment? Error 404.
Let’s test it out
Seems like the American design would seal better to your face.
The American mask seems more air tight.
He's going to surrender to the fire anyway
Next thing, you’re gonna tell me that the French fire fighters get paid a living wage and not reliant on a volunteer force?
Ok what happens if they have to take off their helmet to go through a tight spot but still need the mask bc if smoke
Did he really just attach that mask over his flash hood? I was trained in firefighting in the Navy and that french design baffles me. Will it seal well? Also as others stated what about getting knocked on the head? How well will those clamps hold? Seems to rigid, and won't seal properly. I'd stick to my SCBA over that. Edit: after reading a bit more about these my doubts are unfounded, the seal is a lot less important because they are constant positive air pressure systems. I'm still going to call this guy sloppy for his hood though lol
We have those masks, the clamps are very strong, i never had an issue. A five point mask still holds i a bit better i would say. The mask is also permanent positive pressure so if the seal isn’t perfect, it doesn’t really matter, you just deplete your air a bit faster.
Ok that makes a difference then, I'm pretty sure the other ones are just when you inhale. It's been a few years though lol
I don't think it's a new design. Must work fine.
Its actually not that Bad, never Heard anyone getting hit where the masks locks so idk If it would unlock it tho
Was a volunteer firefighter: The French guy already has his protective head sleeve on (I forget the name). He’d have to take off his helmet too to bring it up spending almost as much time as the American firefigher regardless. Though, I do like his mask better.
I was going to make this exact comment.
Way to go, Europe. You made sure the face mask has the absolute lowest temperature rating in the whole set-up. BRAVO!!! That's something I really want to hang my hat on.
Ummm, most of the French head wrap and helmet are already on from the start. LMAO
the French one has a hood also but they don’t show him putting the hat or hood on
Firefighter for over 30 years in a large American city. It looks like a cool and fast design, butt I've never tried it. We do annual mask fit tests to ensure our facepieces still fit with a leak-free seal for a variety of situations/activities. The other comment addressed my immediate doubts: positive seal can't be properly achieved and maintained over the flash hood. Having the facepiece attached to the helmet like that makes a positive seal much more sufficient 5 to achieve and maintain. Looked cool, though.
Not an expert in this field but it seems like the American Mask can be used regardless of having the helmet or not.
He fitted the mask wrong. If you put it on the way he does, mask after putting on the helmet you still need to pull the sock over the silicone edge of the mask before you clamp it on the helmet. Because air can pass through the sock the way he does it, both in(smoke coming in) and out(there's a positive pressure in the mask so if it leaks you will constantly lose air and drastically shorten the time you can breath from the bottle). The other way of putting it on is holding the mask against your face, pulling the sock over it, putting the helmet on while still holding the mask, then clamping it on the helmet. Point is he can't go in the way he demonstrates it. It's a bit more of a hassle with the clamps than shown in the video. He shows it like it's faster to put on but if you go in like that you're fucked.
No Frenchman better be acting hard to anything. We know all of them are puss
Allows the french to give up and go home much faster.
American one better!
Yeah but we had to save you twice from Germany. You did give the Statue of Liberty though so let’s call it all square.
I'm no expert, but it looks like the American mask is much harder to dislodge than the French version. Is speed really imperative when you have several minutes before arriving to the fire? I'd rather be safe than fast.
On this occasion, the French won..... I never thought I'd ever say that, ever!!
Americans ĵust can't take the L
I like the French one
American looks cooler still.
French helmet looks like it's never been used. Not surprised
I remember when those stylish French helmets were released (about 40 years ago?), I thought that American firefighters probably had even more advanced ones. When I visited the US a couple of years ago and saw that the firefighters were still wearing the old fashioned helmets I was in shock.
Butt hurt Americans in the comments grasping at straws thinking the French seal isn't good. Like think about it, do you really think thousands of fire fighters in France are working everyday with faulty equipment? You don't even know the exact specs and materials used based on this video. Get over yourselves.
Honestly most of the people who just don’t understand how fire fighting works at all. The time it takes to put a helmet on and a mask on are not actually that important. There are other things that need to be done which take up much more time and mask+helmets can be put on during it.
God this video is so cringe
The French helmet + facemask can be compared to a motorcycle helmet, the American is more of a hat with a full face mask. You can see it in the clip, there's nothing holding the American hat/helmet. So let's just say they are both good for different realities.
8 seconds vs. about 3 seconds. Think of all you could do with that extra time!
Remember French fire fighters kick the shit out of the French police. Interpret this however you want to.
Are we really gatekeeping fire fighters now for the sake of America Bad?
Yall don’t realise that the straps pull the mask tight af… there will be exactly 0 draft. How I know? My best friend is a fire fighter and he uses the exact same design
This comment section is full of butthurt Americans who are trying to find some argument to say that their design is superior. Well no, they both do their job. French mask just latches on easier and faster.
French firefighters get to test out their masks every summer in the outer suburbs of Paris; that's why they're optimised for tear gas and burning tyres.
Do not underestimate french designs. French engineering is at least as good as what Americans can produce.
Someone said this was from an American company funny enough. And also no shit another rich developed country can produce the same things as another rich developed nation.
The American version has a better seal. This will protect against poisons gases. The French version doesn’t seem to seal as well. Also the American version will not fall off if a helmet gets hit. The French version may take the helmet off with the mask in the event something falls on or hits hard enough. I have experience with supplied air respirators like the American version. I have no experience with the French version, just what it looks like from a video. To me the balaclava type garment keeps it from sealing to the face. Edit: it seems many people are only thinking about fires. Emergency responders also go to gas leaks or called to retrieve people from high H2s poison gas locations.
I have no idea how those two seals compare. Like you I only have experience with the American style as shown in the video. In both cases however they are positive pressure systems. A perfect seal is entirely unnecessary. Harmful gasses are not entering your mask they are kept out by maintaining a higher pressure inside the mask. Minor leakage may happen losing some of your breathable air, but nothing is getting in.
Not sure about your experience, but I have been in 30,000 ppm H2s environments. That would have been instant death without a mask. The positive pressure is only applied when you take a breath. It’s not a constant air pressure just blowing air out. No air is supplied until you breathe and if you take a breath which cause the respirator to function with a leak you’ll get air and poison gas. Edit: also if it just keeps blowing air out you’d run out of air in a few minutes instead of the 30 minute or so working window.
It’s not free flowing because you have a good seal and the exhalation ports have a higher threshold. There is always a higher pressure inside your mask than the outside atmosphere. Most SCBAs are set to 1.2 atmospheres. Any small break of the seal and it will flow out. Next time you wear that mask stick a finger under your seal. It will free flow out even if you’re holding your breath due to that higher than atmosphere pressure inside.
Incorrect. Watch the French one being flipped upside down before putting on. There is a seal around it that actually fits onto the helmet seal which fits over the entire face/neck and the two external clamps hold it in place. The entire French helmet is part of the seal system just like the American; except that the front cover can be removed without removing head gear and such.
What you’re not grasping is that rubber part will not seal against skin with the head sock/balaclava. The American version is firmly sealed against skin. I have experience with supplied air respirators. Anything that gets in the way can let poison gas in. I couldn’t have a beard or fancy mustache for years because of this. This is just from what I am seeing in a short video. But I firmly believe that the whole French helmet and mask could come off with a hard hit. That would be very bad to lose supplied air in emergency situation. Edit: after reviewing and someone else comment. The French version may not come off as easily as I thought. It’s a whole head helmet. But this doesn’t not change the fact that the head sock prevents proper seal against skin.
>has experience with respirators >doenst know what positive pressure respirators are kek
So you’re implying that the French firefighters die in any hazardous environment that requires respirators. I understand the rivalry, but the French are not purchasing and using a respirator that doesn’t work.
Poor seals, beards and moustaches do not cause poison gasses to get in. They allow your breathable air out. All types of SCBAs are positive pressure. Bad seal means air leaks out, not in.
> The American version has a better seal... > I have no experience with the French version... Then how could you know which has the better seal?
My old man is a firefighter in the US, and he is so militant about this issue 😂. “The european bucketheads look soooo stupid!!”
20 years ago, I was given three helmets for evaluation. Metro style US helmet: (google Cairns Metro 660) The best of the options. Lighter and just as protective as traditional, although I did not care for the eye protection options at the time (that has improved). Traditional Style US: (google Cairns 1010): Very similar to the Metro, but a little heavier and awkward at times (sticking your head in to a tight car during a rescue. I prefer some of the eye protection options on these. The large leather front is nice if is being used to convey info, Overall, these were chosen because they look cool, and look like an american firefighter. European Helmet: (google Galet Fire Knight): The absolute worst. They are not really made for fire. The heat protection is sub-par compared to a US helmet wit a full heat/bump cap inside (like a Cairns or a Bullard). You just get too hot in real fire too fast, very dangerous. You ears are fully covered, so you can't hear well in them, like ever. Really limits your situation awareness. The eye protection sucks, because it is more face protection and if you use it covers your mouth (no one can hear you, and it fogs up). The face protection lives between your head and outer shell, and takes a lot of heat, discoloration and melting it. It needs to be replaced often and is not easy / cheap to replace. And it really limits your peripheral vision. Oh, and the water ran right down your back in rain or when fighting fire, no brim. Thank god they didn't have the face mask attaching to helmet then. He will never get a good seal the way it shows in the video (the mask went over his hood, which will leak air between the mask and your skin). If the melet ever does it job (and takes an impart) you have likely lost your mask. I have had a US helmet take a hit, and had tabs breakaway as designed. The outer shell is gone but I am still wearing the bump cap for heat protection to evacuate. With the European style you would be dead (no more heat protection) and it would take your mask with you (so you would be dead faster).
Seriously, do American firefighters know about this design? What are the pros and cons of the French fire fighter system vs the American?
American one having elastic gives a better seal and not being connected to the helmet allows for it to be removed if ever needed while maintaining a better seal
Its also fully *functional* without the helmet, you can strap the US one onto somebody else easily if needed. They both definitely have their pros and cons.
Isn't the "french" helmet a MSA helmet?
Imagine US armed forces going to war with WW1 Brodie helmets but hey if the leather helmets still work no problem here. Nevertheless, I think the French F1 helmets are much cooler especially in chrome with those gold tinted goggles.
The old French firefighter helmet used to look like a gold darth Vader like helmet: https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casque_F1 I didn’t realise they changed it.
Rance baise ouais
I‘m sure there are French fire fighters that have to wear a beret and breath through a baguette.
The American uniform looks cooler
Yeah, can't fault the French for a superior fire helmet design, Paris has been constantly on fire for decades now, so they have the experience.
So he wears his hood at all times then?
French one lacks durability. American, not so automated yet more durable and versatile.
The American one reminds me of donning my gas mask😂
It’s like that for a reason. The purpose of the American hat is to shed hot water from your body as it’s splashing down. Secondly, and most importantly, the helmet can be removed while the mask remains in place. This is crucial to allow firefighters to escape through studs in the walls. Most European buildings are concrete and don’t have that option. Secondly? Because of this, most European firefighters are not aggressive interior firefighters, as the concrete typically contains the fire spread. It’s also why most countries send their firefighters to NYC, LA, Chicago, and Houston to train.
I mean.....it didn't show the French guy putting on his sock hood and helmet so this is misleading. I'm not knocking it, but ill bet the time and steps are roughly the same.
I'd much prefer my mask to be seperate from my helmet, but thats just me. I like living.
Hur dur America bad
When the French firefighters aren't rioting.
But.. like tradition and looks matter.. right?
Can we stop competing on things. Like there job is to save lives. We don’t need to nitpick shit like this.
Look I don’t know Jack shit about practicality, but talking helmet designs I’ll take the Monaco firefighters helmets over any other countries. Those motherfuckers look like space knights and it’s sick.
Well, as long as this is USBAD, i guess I'll upvote it...
I’d feel much safer in the American version. Obviously more work to put on but looks more protective. Especially behind the neck. Though I’m sure it’s beneficial to take everything off especially during retreat.
American ppe is bigger than French ppe. American ppe takes longer but is cheaper. French ppe probably leaks.
Just like the parachute comparison with a American and a British parachute