The gas mask, considering its journey from Israel to the US, is in very good condition. The only problem I found with it is that the lens for the eyes were both a bit scratched. Despite the lack of some sort of a manual or instructions, it was easy to figure out all of the functions of the gas mask. I got the gas mask exactly on the estimated delivery date. I would easily recommend this gas mask for its quality and PRICE.

I'm expecting Allergy Be Gone to update their product listing on this page soon, but in the meantime I'd like to offer some helpful info.

First off, this is a great gas mask. It's very easy to get on and off with the elasticized quick-release straps. Visibility is also excellent, and the mask is quite comfortable and light. You'll want to practice putting it on quickly, aiming for a snug fit that is not too tight and not too loose. Gas masks are useless if they aren't worn correctly or in time.

Some things to note, however until this product listing gets updated:
1. These masks aren't new. At least, mine wasn't. The manufacturer, Shalon Chemical Industries, (www dot shalon dot co dot il) stamps the date on the lower right (when worn) cheek with the date of manufacture (last two digits of the year in a circle). These masks have a life span of about 20 years if they are stored/maintained properly. My mask has the number "93", which means it was made in 1993, and being 2007 now, my mask has about 6 years left before it falls outside of the effective lifespan. Effectiveness is paramount with a gas mask, because defectiveness = injury or death. I plan to replace my mask as the expiration nears. But, given the price of the mask here, I'm not disappointed. Brand new masks go for about $100 more, so really I paid what the mask is worth.

2. There are a number of accessories that are available for use with this mask. Aside from the (required) filter, which is the standard 40mm NATO issue, there is also a drinking adapter, canteen (for use with the adapter) and a spectacle/lens adapter. My mask came with the drinking adapter, though not with a canteen (wasn't expecting one anyway), and the spectacle/lens adapter is optional.

You can read the actual data sheet for this mask at www dot approvedgasmasks dot com/M15 brochure dot pdf

Also, depending on what you're being exposed to, the air filter has an effective life span before failure. See the above data sheet for time estimates against various substances. Also, the standard filters are good for about 5 years if unopened, so even if you have 20 years left on your mask, you'll want to replace your filters about every 5 years whether you use them or not (again, see data sheet).

As mentioned, this mask is intended for evacuation from affected areas. It is not long-term or total NBC protection! One filter should provide plenty of time to get out of respiratory danger... Obviously, if you hit your head and are knocked out, or stranded in a pit or pinned under a beam then you may not be going anywhere anytime soon. But the alternative--dying sooner, and somewhat nastily, isn't really an alternative. At the very least have one of these masks for everyone in your family/household so you and they have the chance to get to safety.

Yeah, the Jews may have killed Jesus, but whatever that Mel Gibson guy says, don't let anyone fool you: those Mossad boys have forgotten a bazillion times more about surviving gas attacks, to say nothing of chemical and biological horror, than the boys in the Pentagon will ever know if they live to be a billion years old.

Take the sturdy, handy, no-nonsense Israeli M15 Military Gas Mask.

No seriously, take it: I think that's the air raid klaxon going off down the road, which means you were right when you thought it was a little strange that there would be a cropduster flying around a suburban neighborhood and spewing out greenish gas. Yeah, you were right, old hoss: Houston, we have a problem.

The point is this: Israelis know that when the going gets rough, the rough strap on their gas masks. Face it: you might be bangin' it in the Hood, tough guy, but Israelis have been living cheek by jowl in one of the roughest hoods way East of Compton. Check out some of *their* next door neighbors: Syria, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Lebanon, and Egypt.

Don't you think it pays to have some heavy duty briquettes in your Barbeque grill when those boys come over for the block party? You bet it does.

Anyway, the M15 is the mask to have when nasty neighbors, local jihadists, or just the latest whacked-out laid-off representative of the US Postal Service decides to pass a little gas. It's solidly made, utterly reliable, and you can slap this baby on in less time than it takes to download 20 hit singles onto your Ipod.

All's fair in Love & War, they say, but in Love the M15 really brings a lot to the table. Take stalking: the M15 really helps you switch up your game. Now sure, you can loiter outside your unrequited's little love nest and use your RAZR (no, silly, the *other* one) to dial up a little "HELLLOOOOOOO Sydney!"---but let's face it, all the creeps, nutjobs, and peeping toms are doing that nowadays. It's *so* 1990's. You gotta set yourself apart from the pack.

The M15 gas mask is just the ticket. Wait until your erstwhile sweetie gets an eyeful of you lurking outside her window mooning at her through your brand spanking new Israeli M15 gas mask and you can bet you're gonna take your little pas de deux to a whole new level.

Wearing it at the office is even better: nothing says "let's keep this meeting short" like a smart yellow power tie accessorized by a brand spanking new M15.

Better still, got a hog? Get your motor humming with a little gas mask attitude: put the M15 together with one of those spikey WWI German biker helmets for what I call the "Road Warrior Super-Combo" and do an Easy Rider: ever see those little pansy bumper stickers that say "Start seeing Motorcycles"? After they get a load of you roaring by, they'll never be able to stop seeing the little two-wheeled bastards.

Let's face it, while we're on the subject, the gas mask is all about attitude. Nothing says you're not to be trifled with like a gas mask. Think about it. Anybody can wear fatigues, and these days, pretty much anybody does. Tattoos? Your 12-year old sister has more tats than Billy Bob Thorton. Berets? Don't even start with me on friggin berets, man. Don't Brownies wear berets? And French people. French people wear berets.

But a gas mask: think about the last time you saw some dude sporting a gas mask? Chances are you didn't mess around with that hombre. Gas masks say to the world: "I am a man on a mission from God/Allah/David Koresh/Elvis".

Only because you're wearing a gas mask, it comes out like "Immmff uhh manff uhhhn uh mffffns." Who cares, you'll sound ominous and scare the sneaky snake off of anyone in your line of sight.

Driving? The gas mask is simply a must have. First, you never know when you're going to be hit with a lethal cocktail of M434 weaponized anthrax, or a mustard gas attack. And when you're driving down some lonely Wyoming highway and see dead dogs and cows with their feet sticking up in the air---well, Old Hoss, let's just say you'll breathe first and thank me later.

I recommend the Israeli military model for its simple, Spartan, urban warfare chic look, but if you're in for a little Great War nostalgia you can always pick up the Beligan model: it gets the job done equally well, and with a few snaps you've got that whole "All Quiet on the Western Front" thing going for you.

Last but certainly not least, there's always the most important aspect of urban warfare to consider: friends swinging by the crib. Check me, baby: I hang out with a real posse of truly rough riders, and I'm telling you, all my slacker homeboys like to EAT.

I'm talking serious eatage, home skillet: nachos piled high with gut-busting loads of sticky gooey cheese, artery-blasting burritos, jalapeno dip, cheese doodles, you name it. The Japanese back in the 40's called their suicide pilots Kamikaze---"Divine Wind"---and they were onto something, for sure: anyone hanging around with my buddies without protection is on a death mission.

The M15, it nearly goes without saying, is great for terminating such affable stinks with extreme prejudice: I keep mine securely fastened at every home Superbowl party. Better locked and loaded than---well, unloaded upon.

There might be something rotten in Denmark, but at least you won't have to smell it.

JSG