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Summary of Question:	Gas masks for bearded sikh
Category:	Other
Date Posted:	Thursday, 6/01/2000 10:00 AM MDT

Fateh,

I am in the Reserve Forces of the UK. Part of my training involves wearing a respirator in a chemical/gas environment. The problem I have is that regulations state that I must completely shave my beard if the need arises to don a respirator on active service. I was wondering if you or any of the readers know of any alternative style of respirators which are compatible for bearded sikhs.
Please contact me by E-mail: [email protected]

Gur-Fateh!
H.Singh

***** reply *****

As far as I know this is one of the principal reasons the American military refuses to take Sikhs. They argue that with the beard, you cannot get a complete and effective seal with a gas mask. I am not aware of any gas mask that has been designed to refute this argument. Does anyone else here have further information? Perhaps this query would do well to be posted in the Main Discussion Area rather than the Youth Forum.

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- Gurujodha Singh Khalsa
Attorney at Law