MIRA Safety is known for its commitment to providing the same quality equipment to the general public as they do to the many government entities they serve. The CM-8M is the newest addition to their line of adult respirators offering a variety of features for the competitive price of $325.
The most apparent benefit of the CM-8M over its predecessors is the low-profile panoramic visor. This polycarbonate visor allows for a full 180-degree field of view without adding much bulk to the mask’s profile. The main benefit associated with low-profile masks is to make it easier to aim a rifle or shotgun. While I was not able to get my face low enough behind the gun to see through standard height sights, I had no issue aiming through the red dot that is mounted on top of my rifle scope. It looks like an extra high red dot is good for more than just passive aiming with night vision.
I spent a summer working in an industrial environment that required a full-face respirator. The mask I was given was good quality but people couldn’t understand anything I said while wearing it. I could point and gesture my way through most exchanges but that is not an issue with the CM-8M. This mask has a built-in speech diaphragm that enables clear communication.
Great Features
This mask features two standard 40mm filter ports that allow the user to run a filter on either side. This makes both right and left-handed weapon sighting possible. Filter canisters can also be installed into both ports at the same time for reduced breathing resistance and longer filter life.
Hydration is very important and should not be overlooked when shopping for a mask. The CM-8M comes with an integrated drinking tube. One end of the tube plugs tightly into the provided canteen and the other leads to a straw inside the mask.
Out of the box, this mask did not fit my face very well. The distance between the chin and nose seemed too close together for my face shape. This led to the visor uncomfortably riding on the bridge of my nose. To solve this issue, I pulled the chin pocket away from the visor each time before putting the mask on. I was careful not to pull too hard so I wouldn’t damage anything, but just hard enough to loosen the vertical fit. My contact at Mira said they were working on an updated oronasal cup that would be included in future mask purchases. This would remedy the fitment issue but they did not know when the update would be finalized.
Filters
In addition to their masks, MIRA offers a variety of filters to protect against all types of hazards. I received a P3 ParticleMax and an NBC-77 SOF CBRN filter. I keep the P3 on the mask because particulate protection is all I generally need in the workshop. The NBC-77 protects against a combination of nuclear, biological, and chemical threats. The NBC-77 has a 20-year shelf life when properly stored so I keep it sealed in its original packing with the mask just in case I need it.
Real Life Use
Some people may think having a gas mask borders on paranoia but I can say from personal experience that there is justification to be prepared with PPE like this.
Years ago when I was a volunteer firefighter, I responded to my first, and thankfully only, HAZMAT call. Many residents at a retirement home had become sick and the staff reported a strong odor in the air. We found that the water treatment plant, which was running unattended for the weekend, had developed a sizeable chlorine leak. The cloud of gaseous chlorine had filled the plant. Seeping from every corner of the building, the gas escaped and was carried downwind to the retirement home.
With the regulators on our SCBAs opened wide to create positive pressure inside our masks, the water commissioner and I set off through the plant to find the source of the leak and stop it. The room we came to was filled with a yellow haze and every metal surface had turned green with corrosion. We were able to find the leak quickly and with a few turns of an upstream valve, it was stopped.
Thankfully nobody was seriously injured in this incident but the fact remains that toxic chemicals are used all around us. The vast majority of the time they are managed properly and they safely serve their purpose, but owning gear to protect your family in preparation for events like this should not be seen as taboo. Plus, there are plenty of nonemergency reasons to have a good mask. I enjoy using it while working on knives. Unlike the half mask I had been using, It keeps the dust out of my lungs AND my eyes.
My experience with this respirator style is limited so take my opinion for what you will. Having said that, I think the CM-8M is a good mask. Although I think Mira’s other masks, the CM-6M and the CM-7M, are more comfortable, after doing the stretch routine, the CM-8M fits my face fairly well. The speech diaphragm makes communicating easy and I think $325 is a fair price.
If you are interested in the CM-8M you should check out MIRA Safety’s website for a full spec sheet. While you’re there, sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date on their frequent sales.
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