[SAump]

I didn't like the dangling throat protector swinging off the bottom bar of my mask. So I attached it to a bar near the chin and held it firmly in place. Now I have been hit at least a 1/2 dozen times to the top of the mask, the center and the bottom and I have three different reactions.

1) the top of the mask - every now and then the top bar of the mask slams into my head and this hurts. Other than visual symmetry and tunneling vision, I can't figure why so much useless padding is inserted beneath the top bar. I wish they would redesign padding between the top bar and one's head. I have learned to make sure to adjust the mask slightly higher to get more use from the top edge of padding than I get from the bar. It hurts a second but I recover quickly. The pain goes with the job.

2) the center of the mask - often the most frightening. Once the initial shock and flinch wear off, I get an internal laugh out of it because I admit I was scared of something that didn't really hurt at all. My mindset begins to question the damage to the integrity of the face cage because what I don't know may hurt me later. I now worry more about the next one, than the last one. The worry goes with the job.

3) the bottom of the mask with added throat protector - often the loudest and a win win. Once I added the throat protector, I worry less about this area of the mask. The hard plastic TP, the metal bars, and the padding combine to provide the best possible protection. It doesn't hurt, I don't flinch, and I know that cheap throat protector adds to the overall strength and integrity of the mask. Let's strap it on.