Which brand masks are you using for FFP2/FFP3’s?

[doireallyneedaname]

We were using Covaflu but they seem to have been discontinued which is slightly worrying...

Online I never know which FFP2/FFP3's are genuine. Would really appreciate being directed to a trusted site.

Waste of time unless they’re fit tested. Certainly FFP3s.

Not really a waste of time, they’re still far superior to cloth masks/surgical masks in protecting the wearer.

And if they have a valve they don’t protect any one else from the wearer’s exhaled breath.

Yes, that’s true. We don’t use valved ones for that reason.

@doireallyneedaname

Not really a waste of time, they’re still far superior to cloth masks/surgical masks in protecting the wearer.

Not if they don't fit properly. Have you been fit tested?

Even if they haven’t been fit tested, they offer more protection to the wearer than cloth and surgical, this is factual information. Most are designed to fit closely to the face, unlike cloth and surgical masks which usually gape around the edges.

Anyway, this isn’t what I posted about - I’d just like to know which brand those who use them buy.

I use 3M. And there are excellent videos on YouTube to help sort fitting.

When you get properly fit tested they use a strong tasting spray to check that the mask is actually fitting correctly. Do the YouTube videos tell you how to do this?

Even imperfectly home-fitted FFP2/3 masks are likely to have the edge over lower grade masks in otherwise identical situations. The danger is if you take extra risks while wearing a badly home-fitted FFP3 mask, risks that you wouldn't take if you only had a surgical mask, so actually the warnings about fit testing are important. It is important not to have a false sense of security.

However if you're not going to be taking any extra risks just because you're wearing a higher level mask, but just doing something you'd have no choice but to do even if you only had a surgical/cloth mask, then you're hardly going to be any worse off if you wear one. And you may well be better off (other than financially).

I’ve been wondering about this - likely to go back to work in a healthcare setting at some point in next few months, standard PPE ie no FFP2/3 masks, 2 kids at home and a DH who did various outing reasons it would be a bit of a disaster if he got COVID - are some people buying their own FFP2/3 masks to wear at work and just taking the financial hit? It’s certainly something I’d consider if it’s not frowned upon...

for various*

If the employer supplies PPE I doubt you’re allowed to alter it by supplying your own. There’s a petition to get the nhs to supply ffp masks to all staff in areas with covid positive patients, that may help you?

@BungleandGeorge

If the employer supplies PPE I doubt you’re allowed to alter it by supplying your own. There’s a petition to get the nhs to supply ffp masks to all staff in areas with covid positive patients, that may help you?

Do you know where that petition is? I've googled but only found old, closed ones.

The NHS is having staff working on front line covid wards with no appropriate PPE, they are wearing surgical masks only. You only get FP3 in ITU, where if all patients are on closed loops then you get higher risk on a ward full of coughing/breathing patients.
Surgical masks. We’re being laughed at by other countries. We can’t say we can’t afford it/can’t stock them, rather we bend the guidelines to say surgical are enough.

@SacreBleeeurgh if it's NHS you're talking about, no - you're not allowed to bring your own PPE. You have to follow the rules of surgical masks only everywhere.

I buy mine from medisave.

Thanks @yearnewwhatever, yea NHS, and that’s a bit rubbish! Any particular reason given? Concern about supply issues?

I bought ffp2 masks from www.ffp2-mask.co.uk
They are certified.

cambridgemask.com/
These are the ones that I use 🙂
I buy 3 every 3 months and rotate them.