How to Build a CBRN Survival Kit for your Family: A Step-by-Step Guide

What would you do if there was a nuclear industrial accident near your home? What about a biological threat, like an anthrax outbreak? 

No matter where you live, the possibility for chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats is real. 

These four threats are usually talked about as a group - called “CBRN” - because they each pose similar risks to human health and can be prepared for in similar ways.  

There are steps you can take to keep your family safe from possible disasters. We’ll cover everything you need to assemble a complete protective kit for each family member so you can be ready, not scared. 

Source:  Muhammad Numan on Unsplash

The Basics - What Protective Equipment Do I Actually Need? 

Let’s say Jake’s family wants to establish a basic CBRN kit. He’s married with two kids. How should he get started? They don’t have access to the specialized equipment that a firefighter or military member might be familiar with. 

What do they need to have in their home to stay safe? 

We’ll break it down into the four main pieces of a protective kit:

• Gas Masks 
• Protective suits 
• Decontamination supplies
• Threat detection tools 

Step 1: The Most Important Piece - Your Gas Mask

If you can only start with one piece of protective equipment for each family member, it should be a gas mask. 

Gas masks protect your respiratory system. Being able to breathe clean, uncontaminated air is the first step to staying safe in a disaster. 

Jake’s family should start by choosing a well-fitting, air-purifying gas mask for each family member. We’ll explain how to choose. 

How Do Gas Masks Work? 

Gas masks purify the air we breathe. Clean air is the most important resource we have in a disaster. 

CBRN Threats Poison the Air

CBRN threats all release contaminants into the air. This could be an airborne virus, radioactive particles, or biological weapons like chlorine gas. These are all poisonous to humans and cause extreme damage to the lungs and airways. 

Gas Masks Purify the Air 

Gas masks are different from a simple cloth or paper mask you may have worn for painting or to avoid Covid-19. They offer the following benefits:

• Gas masks have a tight-fitting seal so no air leaks in
• Outside air is pulled in through a filter that catches large particles
• The air is passed through a chemical cartridge that neutralizes harmful chemicals
• The clean air is then release into the facepiece so the wearer can safely breath
• Air is then exhaled through an exhalation valve to prevent carbon dioxide buildup 

Source: Fahrettin Turgut 

Why Do I Need a Gas Mask? 

Think about the basic human needs we all learned in elementary school - air, water, food, and shelter. 

An average adult can survive:

• 3 minutes without air
• 3 days without water 
• 3 weeks without food 

If you can only survive 3 minutes without oxygen, then ensuring a clean supply of it is your top priority when creating a CBRN survival kit. 

Gas Masks for Adults

Back to Jake’s family - how does he choose what kind of gas mask will keep him and his kids safe? 

We’ll break it down. 

Best Gas Mask for All-Around Protection 

If you want complete protection from a range of CBRN threats, buy a CM-6M gas mask.

Here’s why it’s ideal for Jake’s CBRN prep kit:

• Protects  against a range of threats - poison gas, industrial chemicals, radioactive dust - so one mask prepares you for many scenarios
• Air filtration cartridges easily screw on and off 
• Comfortable and designed for long-term wear
• Adjustable at several points for an air-tight seal 
• Built-in drinking system and canteen to stay hydrated 
• Speech diaphragm makes it easier for your family to hear you while wearing the mask 
• Multiple accessories available (like eyeglasses kits) so you can customize it for your own needs

If you want one piece of equipment that will immediately boost your protection in a life-threatening situation, we recommend the CM-6M Gas Mask. 

Best Gas Mask for Tactical Scenarios 

What if you anticipate firearm use?  The CM -7M Gas Mask provides the same protection of the CM-6M, but with added tactical benefits: 

• Same multi-threat protection as the CM-6M 
• Filter attaches on left OR right size for left or right handed shooters
• Compatible with ballistic helmets
• Fits with most gun sights 

Overall, the CM-7M Gas Mask gives Jake the same level of protection as the CM-6M would, but also works well with his firearm equipment. 

Gas Masks for Children 

What about Jake’s kids? Simply staying inside during a CBRN threat doesn’t guarantee any protection from airborne threats. 

An adult-sized gas mask won’t work for most children under the age of 14 or so, because the facepiece can’t be adjusted tightly enough to create an airtight seal. This would allow contaminated air to leak into the mask.

There are gas masks available in children’s sizes. 

We recommend the  MD-1 Children’s Gas Mask:

• Lightweight - weighs just over a pound so children can wear it comfortably 
• Available in two child sizes so you can ensure a tight fit 
• Works with standard-sized filter cartridges, so you can ensure complete air purification
• Long shelf life, so you can have it ready as your child grows 

Pro Tip: If your teen has a small face, a child-sized gas mask might be a better choice for them than a small adult gas mask. Remember, an airtight seal is crucial, so the mask needs to fit tightly. 

Gas Masks for the Elderly and Special Needs 

Let’s say Jake’s family has a grandparent living in the home, or one of his children has special needs that make breathing difficult. Are there adaptations for them? 

Yes. 

Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPR)

Most gas masks require the wearer to breathe a little more heavily than they normally do to pull the contaminated air in through the filtration cartridge and exhale through the exhalation vent. 

PAPR make it easier to breathe by using a battery-powered fan to pull and push air.

• Works with your gas mask to make breathing easier
• Uses standard AA batteries
• Up to 12-hours runtime 
• Additional battery packs available 

This can be perfect for people who are easily tired or have trouble breathing because of age, asthma, COPD, or other conditions. 

What Else Do I Need for My Gas Mask to Work? 

Once Jake has chosen well-fitting gas masks for each family member, what else does he need to get up and running? 

Filtration Cartridges

Gas masks work by pulling contaminated air through filtration cartridges to purify it. 

All the gas masks we listed above work with 40mm NATO threaded cartridges. This means that the base that screws onto your mask is 40mm in diameter. This is a standard size for military and law enforcement gas masks, so you know the filter will fit each mask.

Our CBRN filters:

• Have a 20-year shelf life for long-term storage
• Protect against all known CBRN threats 
• Are incredibly durable
• Come in a standard size to fit all our gas masks 

How Many Cartridges Do I Need? 

A big advantage of our standard sized cartridges means that one supply of cartridges will fit your whole family’s gas masks. 

Your stockpile of filter cartridges will depend on how prepared you want to be.

• Each filter lasts between 12-24 hours, depending on air contamination level 
• Plan to have a week’s supply of filters stored for each person who needs a mask
• For a family of four, that means about 30 filter cartridges stored 

Of course, the more you have stored, the longer you can ensure breathing protection for your family.

READ NOW: Gas Mask Filter Buyer’s Guide for 2024

How Long Do Gas Mask Filters Last? 

Generally, between 12-24 hours. There are many factors that can affect this, mainly how contaminated the air is.

For a complete breakdown of all the factors affecting gas mask filter usage life, read our in-depth explanation here: How Long Do Gas Mask Filters Last? 

Step 2: Protective Suits 

Once Jake has gas masks and filters chosen for each family member, what else does he need? 

CBRN threats can be absorbed through the skin as well. Chemicals, biological threats, and nuclear dust can all cause long-term damage, so full-body protection is the next step in setting up your family CBRN kit. 

How do Protective Suits Work?

A protective suit like our HAZ-SUIT works by creating a barrier between your skin and outside contaminants. 

• Puncture-resistant fabric provides a barrier to over 125 known chemical agents
• Multiple sizes mean you can find fits for children as young as four. 
• When stored properly, it has a decades-long shelf life
• Heat resistant fabric, to prevent overheating 
• Designed to fit with gas masks 

Do I Need a Tactical Suit? 

There are suits on the market designed to be worn with body armor or tactical equipment. 

For example, MOPP suits are often preferred by deployed military members who need a combination of protection and mobility. 

Suits for Children

If you want your children to be completely protected from CBRN threats, you should stock a HAZ-Suit in their size. 

Children have special considerations when it comes to protective gear:

• Children need to practice putting on their suit and taking it off

Since the Haz-Suit is available in a wide range of sizes, you can stock equipment to keep your entire family safe as they grow. 

Additional Equipment - Boots, Gloves, & Eyewear 

Certain portions of the body need specialized equipment. For a basic family CBRN kit, we recommend focusingfocuses on three main areas: eyewear, gloves, and footwear.

Source:  Ilja Nedilko on Unsplash

Protective Eyewear

Your gas mask comes equipped with a face shield that provides a full range of vision and protects your eyes from airborne toxins. 

 If you wear glasses, consider buying a MIRAVISION Spectacle Kit, which can be updated with your eye prescription and is mounted on the outside of the gas mask. 

Chemical-Resistant Gloves

You will need to handle contaminated materials in a disaster. Even your car door could be coated in toxic particles. You may need to handle tools or firearms to keep yourself and your family safe, so dexterity will be important. 

Butyl gloves are specially-designed for CBRN threats:

• Lined with cotton to prevent overheating and manage sweat
• Available in multiple sizes to protect children, teens, and adults
• Flexible enough for handling tools or driving a car 
• Fully protects from CBRN contaminants 

Footwear

CBRN Overboots are sturdy, rubber footwear that fit over your regular boots. This provides extra protection against chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threats.

• Universal fit, so they fit a wide range of shoe sizes
• 2mm thick rubber to protect from contamination 
• On strap to make it easy to take on and off 

Step 3: Decontamination Supplies 

CBRN protective equipment keeps contaminants away from your skin and airways. This equipment needs to be fully decontaminated after use to maintain its function and prevent hazardous materials from being spread throughout your home.

Materials Needed to Decontaminate CBRN Equipment

There are a few basic supplies you need for decon:

• Decon soap
• Decon spray
• A camping shower or CBRN-rated shower 

How to Decontaminate CBRN Equipment: Step-By-Step 

There are a few best practices to keep yourself safe after exposure. Simply rinsing off your CBRN equipment is not enough to prevent toxic particles from spreading around your shelter or non-protective clothing. 

Step 1: Set up a decontamination zone at least 50 feet away from the contaminated area to prevent recontamination. Make sure this area is separated from the rest of your shelter - like a tarp-lined outdoor space or even a dedicated bathroom in your garage or basement.

Step 2: Slowly and carefully remove CBRN equipment. Avoid shaking the equipment around as that can spread contaminants. 

Step 3: 

• Carefully disassemble your gas mask and other protective equipment. 
• Wash all parts thoroughly in warm water with a mild detergent.
•  Soak in a solution of 1 tablespoon bleach for 4 cups water for two minutes
• Rinse thoroughly 
• Dry completely
• Reassemble and store carefully

Step 4: Shower thoroughly in a camp shower or CBRN-shower. Use a specialized decontamination soap or spray to make sure all contaminants are removed. 

Source:MIRA Safety 

Step 4: Threat Detection Tools 

Let’s return to Jake’s family. He has CBRN equipment for each family member, plus a dedicated decontamination setup. What else can he do to be fully prepared? 

Certain tools can help him detect CBRN threats early on. This enables him to take early action - potentially avoiding panic of those who wait too long to respond.

• Chemical detection papers - These test strips quickly identify contaminants on a surface. Add Chemical Detection Papers to your kit to use anytime you’re unsure if an area has been contaminated or not. 

Final Thoughts: Assemble Your Basic Kit to Keep Your Family Safe 

Now that you know the basic components of a CBRN protection kit, don’t wait to get started. 

Even if you can’t purchase the entire kit all at once, we recommend starting at the top of this list and building your kit as you’re able. 

The first step is a high-quality air-purifying gas mask for each family member, then HAZ-Suits in the necessary sizes, followed by decontamination supplies and finally your threat detection tools. 

With regular practice and proper storage, you can be certain that your family has the gear they need to stay safe in any threat scenario.