How to make your own mask.
by Helpful Engineering Comms Team Volunteer, Linda Yan.
Globally, we are facing a severe face mask shortage as we scramble to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Coupled with the recent CDC recommendation in the United States to wear “cloth face coverings in public settings,” finding a commercially made face mask can be near-impossible.
Fortunately, a simple face mask can easily be made with materials that you likely already have. Here is a compilation of face mask designs from CDC guidelines, reviewed by healthcare professionals and others with varying levels of difficulty.
If you are making face masks, please consider reaching out to your local hospitals to see if they are accepting cloth mask donations as many are currently facing major shortages of protective equipment for our frontline healthcare workers.
From the CDC… “CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.”
Additional CDC guidance for wearing and cleaning homemade cloth face coverings:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
Quick Cut T-shirt Face Covering
Quick, no-sew mask.
Source: CDC
Difficulty: Low
Bandana Face Covering
Quick, no-sew mask made with a bandana, coffee filter, and hair ties.
Source: CDC
Difficulty: Low
Sewn Cloth Face Covering
Basic sewn mask.
Source: CDC
Difficulty: Medium
Fabric Face Mask*
Basic sewn face mask for use in nonclinical settings.
Source: Kaiser Permanente
Difficulty: Medium
A.B. Mask*
Fabric mask that can also function as a N95 cover .
Source: Instructables (created by nurses)
Difficulty: High
Crisis 3-Layer Mask*
Designed for use by healthcare professionals in cases of face mask shortages.
Source: The Masks Now Coalition – Meets CDC guidelines
Difficulty: High
Additionally, these designs are not specifically reviewed by healthcare professionals but are an option to consider…
Surge Mask*
Designed to wear as a standalone mask for droplet protection and filtration. The Surge design provides a water-resistant alternative to cotton masks, optimized for ease of construction by home crafters.
Source: MakerMask
Difficulty: Medium
Criss-Cross Mask With Filter*
Easily adjustable face mask with replaceable elastic feature.
Source: Aussie Face Mask Project
Difficulty: Medium
N95 Cover Mask*
Designed to wear over other masks as a droplet cover to reduce the level of moisture reaching the primary mask. This can help prolong the use of commercially available N95 masks.
Source: MaskerMask
Difficulty: High
Here is the CDC guidance for wearing and cleaning homemade cloth face coverings:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
*The designs for these cloth face masks are presented As-Is. The goal is to present designs that can foster further discussion and be utilized in countries that permit this product. These are not finalized designs and do not represent certification from any country. You accept responsibility and release Helpful Engineering from liability for the manufacture or use of this product. This design was created in response to the announcement on March 10, 2020, from the HHS. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who issued a declaration pursuant to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.
Link to Prep act. :https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/legal/prepact/Pages/default.aspx
ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS, IMPLIED AND STATUTORY, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED. THIS DEVICE (INCLUDING ANY ACCESSORIES AND COMPONENTS) IS PRESENTED ‘AS IS.’
