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"DIY" face shield to prolong N95 mask life cycle

Usually our efforts are focused towards solving digital problems via technology but with this global pandemic that we are all facing we have shifted our efforts towards helping the heroic medical staff across the globe with an idea that can provide a working solution to an existing problem. We are offering a do-it-yourself face shield solution made from common materials that can protect and prolong the usage of the N95 mask.

The global medical industry is facing one of history's most trying times, they need the support, supplies, and encouragement to properly perform. Manufacturers of these supplies are unable to meet the demand created by COVID-19, facilities across the globe are reporting a massive shortage that can not be addressed with the necessary speed needed to provide adequate protection for these medical professionals. Our idea is not ideal but neither is our current situation, let us call it innovation under pressure. This idea can be a makeshift solution for a medical professional without the necessary equipment on site, with no other options, one could use this DIY method to make a face shield within minutes using products readily available. If you think this idea can help a single member of the global medical staff be better protected while treating someone's loved one and gives them the ability to continue treating others then please take the time to share this link. We need to work together as one to continue to protect the local communities and the great people that make them up.

Purpose:

We are only able to digest so much talk before action must be undertaken no matter how little or outside-the-box our thoughts may be. Here we propose a repair, recycle, reuse solution that those without protective face shields will have the ability to make from common recycled materials. Our goal for this effort is for it to be fast and easy so hopefully somewhere this can offer transparent reassurance for those critical medical professionals to continue to help those in need and Stay Healthy!

This is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license
We make no assertions or guarantees in using this idea

Materials Needs:

1x 2 or 3 liter plastic soda bottle

1x razor blade knife

1x scissors

1x rubber band

1x cotton ball

1x nail polish remover

Step one:

Remove the label from the bottle. If there is adhesive remaining on the bottle use the cotton ball and nail polish remover to clean the label adhesive from the plastic within the vision area.

Step two:

Remove the top of the bottle at a point preserving some curvature as the purpose of this concave curvature is to prevent the mask from sliding down the face. The cut should offer adequate lower coverage which is ideal to protect N95 masks from fluids thus extending the masks usage.

Step three:

Cut the bottom of the bottle off at the binding seam where the bottom starts to curve in. One can be creative and leave a small lip of curvature should value be realized in additional coverage from leaving this small curved portion intact.

Step four:

Cut a vertical line directly from top to bottom of the bottle shell. This is illustrated in the picture with the piece of paper placed through the cut.

Step five:

Cut two “ear flaps” on each side of the bottle one inch in from the cut made down the center of the bottle shell. The location of these “ear flaps” should roughly line up with the user’s ears for the purpose of comfort and fit. Slide the rubber band from the outside of the bottle under each “ear flap” that has been cut. With the rubber band on the outside this will spread the retention pressure across more surface area of the plastic which can be susceptible to tearing near cut points.

Step six:

As seen in the image this solution works with both glasses and a mask in place. For those with the question of surface pressure this exists around the top of the shield on the forehead within the concave shape of the top of the bottle. These pressures will likely reside directly on the forehead if a smaller two liter bottle is used and the concave bottle portion is sacrificed for more lower area coverage.

The team @ SolvingDigital.com would like to take the time to thank all the medical professionals and first responders that have all hands on deck around the globe providing efforts to ensure our safety today and our future tomorrow. Our plan is to apply more focus to other ideas that could support and do our part to help in these trying times caused by Covid-19. Follow us and stay tuned, our problem solving efforts are usually technology focused but in the essence of time and need, we are stepping outside our box, we hope you are doing the same. Stay Safe & Stay Healthy!

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