Protective hood

Claim 1

A protective hood arrangement for emergencies comprising: a hood adapted to be placed over the head of a wearer and having a first portion made of transparent material at least in the region adjacent the eyes of the wearer; a permeable piece defining a further portion of said hood and being a filter made of nonwoven fabric; preparation means disposed in said nonwoven fabric for holding back harmful substances including gaseous harmful substances; a half-mask arranged in said hood, said hood and said half-mask conjointly defining a closed space when worn by the wearer, the half-mask including a breathing air inhalation valve communicating directly with said permeable piece so as to define a clear and unobstructed path over which the wearer inhales air from the ambient through said permeable piece; said half-mask further including an exhalation valve communicating directly with the ambient thereby completely bypassing said permeable piece and compelling the wearer to exhale to the ambient; and, an ancillary breathing gas supply arrangement for supplying additional breathing gas to the wearer when required by the latter to supplement the breathing gas obtained through said inhalation valve; said breathing gas supply arrangement including: breathing gas supply means disposed externally of said hood and said half-mask for supplying additional breathing gas; passage means mounted on said half-mask so as to extend out past said hood to the ambient for conducting said additional breathing gas into the interior of said half-mask; connecting means for releasably connecting said breathing gas supply means to said passage means when said additional breathing gas is needed by the wearer; and, closure means for closing off said passage means from the ambient when said breathing gas supply means is disconnected from said passage means.