How do you perform a positive-pressure seal check on the facepiece?

How do you perform a positive-pressure seal check on the facepiece?

• A. Place the mask, tighten straps, inhale to collapse the facepiece, then listen for escaping air around the seal; adjust until a tight seal is achieved
• B. Place the mask and quickly don the harness
• C. Exhale into the mask to test
• D. Remove the mask and wipe the seal

Answer: (A)

The main idea is to verify the facepiece fits tightly against the wearer’s face so no contaminated air can leak in around the seal during use. Start by placing the mask on the face and tightening the straps so the mask sits snugly without causing discomfort. Then gently inhale through the nose to draw the facepiece inward against the face. If air escapes around the seal, you’ll hear or feel leaks, indicating the fit isn’t airtight. Readjust the straps or mask position and repeat until no air escapes when you inhale, which confirms a proper seal for safe operation. The other options don’t test the seal in the same way: simply donning the harness doesn’t check seal integrity, exhaling into the mask doesn’t reveal leaks around the edges, and removing the mask to wipe the seal doesn’t verify whether the seal is actually airtight.

The main idea is to verify the facepiece fits tightly against the wearer’s face so no contaminated air can leak in around the seal during use. Start by placing the mask on the face and tightening the straps so the mask sits snugly without causing discomfort. Then gently inhale through the nose to draw the facepiece inward against the face. If air escapes around the seal, you’ll hear or feel leaks, indicating the fit isn’t airtight. Readjust the straps or mask position and repeat until no air escapes when you inhale, which confirms a proper seal for safe operation.

The other options don’t test the seal in the same way: simply donning the harness doesn’t check seal integrity, exhaling into the mask doesn’t reveal leaks around the edges, and removing the mask to wipe the seal doesn’t verify whether the seal is actually airtight.