Hot take: the full face mask almost killed me on a job last month

I get that everyone loves the Kirby Morgan setup for safety, but I was working a pipeline repair in the Gulf near Port Fourchon and my regulator started free-flowing at 60 feet. I had to rip the mask off and switch to my backup air supply before I blacked out. Anyone else ditch the full face for a half mask after a close call like that?

2 comments

2 Comments

fisher.diana9d ago

Honestly that sounds terrifying, glad you made it out okay. Tbh the full face masks have that one big weakness where a free flow can turn into a real emergency fast. Ngl I switched to a half mask after a similar close call and never looked back.

rose_hart319d ago

Man I keep seeing this pattern everywhere lately where people double down on complicated gear because it's supposedly safer when really simple and reliable is the way to go. Like how everyone bought those fancy smart home locks that would randomly fail and lock people out instead of just using a normal deadbolt. The half mask is the exact same thing where you trade a little bit of face protection for way better airflow control and reliability when stuff goes sideways. Your story about having to rip the mask off at 60 feet is exactly why I tell new guys to keep it simple and practice their emergency drills with whatever gear they choose. Sometimes the most expensive option is actually the one that'll get you killed if the smallest thing goes wrong.