How to properly wear a Type IIR face mask？

1. Properly Wearing a Type IIR Mask

Step 1: Preparation
Wash your hands: Thoroughly clean your hands with soap and running water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, before and after touching the mask.

Step 2: Orientation
When removing a new Type IIR mask, you need to identify three key parts:
Nose clip: There is a flexible metal strip at the top edge of the mask that fits snugly over the bridge of the nose.
Inside and Outside: Type IIR masks are typically divided into:
The dark side/waterproof layer is the outer layer: usually blue or green, used to block droplets.
The light side/water-absorbent layer is the inner layer: usually white, used to absorb moisture and droplets exhaled by the wearer.
Simple way to remember: The dark side faces outward, and the light side is against your mouth and nose.
Top and Bottom: The end with the nose clip is the top, and the end without the nose clip is the bottom.

Step 3: Wearing
Hold the mask by the ear loops or straps. Place the mask over your mouth, nose, and chin, fully expanding it.

Step 4: Secure and Shape
Secure the ear straps: Loop the ear straps around your ears, or first tie the lower strap behind your neck, then the upper strap around the center of your head.
Pressure the nose clip: Use your index and middle fingers to press the metal nose clip strips along the bridge of your nose, from top to bottom, until they fit snugly against your nose and face. This is crucial for preventing air leaks!

Step 5: Adjust and Check the Fit
Stretch the mask downward, ensuring it completely covers your chin.

Important Check: Cover the mask completely with both hands and exhale quickly. Feel it:
If you feel air leaking from the edges of the mask (especially on the sides of your nose), the nose clip is not secure or the mask is not properly fitted and needs to be readjusted.
After adjusting, avoid touching the outside of the mask.

Step 6: Remove and Dispose
Wash your hands before removing the mask. Only touch the ear loops/straps: Never grab the outside of the mask directly with your hands, as this may be contaminated with germs.
Earloop: Hook the ear loops directly with your fingers and remove.
Tie-up: Untie the lower strap first, then the upper strap.
Pinch only the ear loops with your fingers and discard the mask in a covered trash can.
Wash your hands again: Wash your hands thoroughly again immediately after removing the mask.

2. Important Notes (Common Mistakes Corrected)

Never expose your nose: This is the most common mistake. A mask must cover both the mouth and nose; otherwise, it will not provide adequate protection.
Never reuse: IIR-type masks are single-use.

Replace the mask immediately if:
The mask becomes damp, contaminated, or damaged.
After use in high-risk environments such as healthcare facilities.
Generally, cumulative wear time should not exceed 4-8 hours.
While wearing the mask: Do not pull the mask up to the chin and then back on, as this can cause cross-contamination between the inside and outside of the mask. Check the expiration date: While most IIR masks have a long shelf life in a dry environment, their filtration efficiency and protective performance may decrease after expiration, making their use unrecommended.
Double-layered masks are ineffective: Wearing two masks does not significantly increase protection and may actually affect the seal and increase breathing resistance.