Beards and Oxygen

[CloudyIFR]

Is there a restriction and/or reference to flying with beards?

In the USAF you could not have beards due to the seal of the Oxygen mask. Does this apply to pressure demand systems only or all oxygen masks? Does this apply to Part 135 civilian flying?

Thanks
Curtis

 

[mynameisjim]

I think it might depend on the company. For example, the A320 systems manual lists the length of time the cockpit system will provide oxygen, and it has a column for beards, and one for no beard. That said, the airline said "no beards"

 

[Nolife]

No beards is a conserative thing... nothing to do with the seal of the o2 mask. I sported a well refined Southern goatee for years and finally had to shave due to management being unable to produce anything more than a sickly Fu-Man-Chu.

There is however an increased risk of fire if some residual Tabasco which was trapped in the beard were to mix with the o2 :angryfire

 

[avbug]

No beards is a conserative thing... nothing to do with the seal of the o2 mask.

You are partially correct. It is an issue of professional appearance, but a beard does indeed interfere with the seal of an oxygen mask.

From Advisory Circular 43-16A, Maintenance Alerts (-Alert 112, Nov, 1987):

THE EFFECTS OF FACIAL HAIR ON THE EFFICIENCY OF OXYGEN MASKS

The Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Military have conducted studies to determine the influence of beards and mustaches on the efficiency of oxygen masks. Their conclusions are that a definite reduction in performance occurs when facial hair is present along the sealing surface of crew and passenger masks. This reduction is proportional to, among other things, the amount of hair present, the type of mask in use, and the activity level to which the individual is subjected.

One aircraft manufacturer feels that these study results should be brought to the attention of all operators, and advised future revisions to Pilot's Operating Handbooks will contain the following warning:

WARNING
BEARDS AND MUSTACHES SHOULD BE CAREFULLY TRIMMED SO THAT THEY WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE PROPER SEALING OF AN OXYGEN MASK. THE FIT OF THE OXYGEN MASK AROUND THE BEARD OR MUSTACHE SHOULD BE CHECKED 011 THE GROUND FOR PROPER SEALING. STUDIES CONDUCTED BY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION CONCLUDE THAT OXYGEN MASKS DO NOT SEAL OVER BEARDS AND MUSTACHES.

Advisory Circular 120-43 specifically addresses facial hair and the sealing of oxygen masks:

AC 120-43 - THE INFLUENCE OF BEARDS ON OXYGEN MASK EFFICIENCY

4. BACKGROUND. Researchers at the Federal Aviation Administration's Protection and Survival Laboratory located at CAMI have investigated the effects of beards on oxygen mask performance. This research was prompted, in part, by previous investigations which reported possible problems with oxygen mask efficiency when used by bearded persons.
5. DISCUSSION.

a. Several investigators had reported that the presence of beards caused a decrement in the efficiency on half masks, full masks, and respirators. A Department of Navy study (No. NADC-72211-CS) reported an average inboard leakage of 16 to 67 percent for military-type crew oxygen masks when tested with subjects wearing beards to altitudes of 18,000 feet. Civilian crew oxygen masks vary considerably from these types of masks because of differences in basic mask designs, suspension systems, and controlling regulators. Consequently, CAMI conducted research to determine if the problems noted in these reports would also be present when civil aviation oxygen equipment was tested.

b. During the CAMI research, three popular TSO approved crewmember oxygen masks equipped with mask mounted regulators were tested to determine if a decrement in performance would occur as a result of the presence of facial hair. The data resulting from these tests indicated that decrement in performance does occur when facial hair is present along the sealing surface of crew oxygen masks. This decrement is proportional to the amount of facial hair present, the type mask worn, the suspension system associated with the mask, and the exercise level to which the individual is subjected. This study, as well as studies conducted by the military and oxygen equipment manufacturers, concluded that respirator/oxygen (sometimes referred to as "demand") masks cannot be donned rapidly and do not seal over beards or heavy facial hair. This lack of a seal could result in a reduced amount of oxygen in the mask and the entry of smoke or toxic fumes that could result in reduced crewmember capability and performance.

c. CAMI investigators conducted additional research on the influence of beards on the efficiency of passenger (continuous flow) oxygen masks. Continuous flow masks are intended to provide protection from hypoxia in the event of a decompression. Three models of masks (two of which were TSO approved) were tested. The data indicated beards adversely affect the efficiency of continuous flow oxygen masks. The leakage of ambient air caused by beards does not permit an adequate percentage of oxygen to be presented to the lower portion of the respirator tract. The proper functioning of the continuous flow mask relies on having the greatest concentration of oxygen presented at the beginning of inspiration (taking a breath or inhaling) with dilution of oxygen permitted during the latter phase of inspiration. The concentration of oxygen and the inspiration phase during which it is inhaled are more critical factors than the total oxygen received. Bearded passengers might expect some deficit in oxygenation following a decompression that could lead to varying degrees of hypoxia (physiological conditions that result when the body does not receive enough oxygen). If the mask is properly donned and usual emergency descent procedures can be followed, the deficit in oxygenation might not be severe enough to be life threatening, but could cause loss of consciousness.

d. Flight attendants are more physically active than passengers, and earlier studies conducted at CAMI demonstrated that physical activity representative of flight attendant duties reduces time of useful consciousness by about 40 percent over that of a resting individual. In addition, physical activity increases the respiratory exchange rate. Data collected in pertinent CAMI research indicate that bearded individuals with the highest respiratory exchange rate experienced the greatest degradation in oxygenation. Thus, the combination of the increase in respiratory exchange rate and decrease in efficiency of an oxygen mask when worn by a flight attendant could result in that individual being impaired in the performance of their assigned safety related duties.

6. CONCLUSION. Bearded crewmembers should be aware that oxygen mask efficiency is reduced by the presence of facial hair. Demand masks, such as those used in protective breathing equipment, many times cannot be donned rapidly nor seal effectively when used by bearded individuals. This can adversely affect the performance of the mask and reduce crewmember awareness, capability, and performance. Flight attendants should be aware that their job related physical activity reduces time of useful consciousness and increases respiratory exchange rates. These factors, combined with the reduced efficiency of continuous flow oxygen masks associated with beards, could produce physiological symptoms that might reduce the flight attendant's ability to perform their safety related duties.

/s/
John S. Kern
Director of Flight Standards

 

[DCAinstructor06]

I agree, this would interfere with the seal if your were
ZZ TOP!

 

[macpilot]

To be honest, if there where an explosive decompression, you would not know it anyway.

The cockpit would fog up.
Papers flying everwhere,
ears poping and bleeding,
Eyes bleeding blood,
Complete disoriontation.
The last thing you will be thingking about is the oxygen mask.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

To be honest, if there where an explosive decompression, you would not know it anyway.

The cockpit would fog up.
Papers flying everwhere,
ears poping and bleeding,
Eyes bleeding blood,
Complete disoriontation.
The last thing you will be thingking about is the oxygen mask.

And the survivalabilty of the fetus would be reduced....... oops wrong thread....:0

 

[JohnnyP]

...

I am flying a kingair 200 with a full beard, no one seems to have a problem with it. Its well trimmed, etc. I just dont think that my beard would have any noticable effect on the final outcome pending use of the 02 system.

But then again, I could be absolutely completely wrong.

 

[Dave J]

Take a look at your 02 mask if it is a scott mask or its holding box. If I remember correctly somewhere on it it mentions. Mask will not seal with a beard. Besides you might want to clean the dust out of it anyway.

 

[CloudyIFR]

I've been in the altitude chamber three times, two civilian rides to 24,000' and the military ride to, well can't quite recall but 34,000' comes to mind. Anyway, the difference is in the higher altitude you have to pressure breathe, I found it very uncomfortable and this is where I really think you'll find the issue, but I really don't know, it's just an uneducated guess.

Curtis