Gas mask

Gas masks are vital survival equipment for survivors in The Last of Us and The Last of Us Part II, used to avoid breathing in Cordyceps spores often found in enclosed places. Joel always has a gas mask on him, and will put it on when he enters a spore-infested place. Ellie does not need a gas mask due to her immunity, though she begins using one to keep her immunity a secret while living in Jackson.

In The Last of Us

A soldier wears one when Joel and Sarah attempt to reach the highway. The player obtains one in Boston, where Joel collects it, along with his backpack and 9mm pistol. As Joel travels across the United States, he will find spore infested places that he must cross in order to advance through an area. To avoid breathing in the spores, Joel puts on his gas mask when crossing through. Some of Joel's fellow smugglers will wear gas masks should they be near spores, such as Tess, two smugglers in an abandoned building and Bill although the latter didn't necessarily require as he was in the uncontaminated outside air.

Soldiers in the Boston QZ wear them as well when outside the protection of the walls, notably Ramirez and her partner, while a special HAZMAT section of the military wear gas masks along with other protection when searching infected buildings for civilians.

Some enemies (particularly among the hunters and bandits) that wear them have Molotov cocktails. This can be an early warning to the player and should always be targeted first, if possible. Some of the Fireflies in St. Mary's Hospital who chase Joel when he attempts to escape with Ellie wear gas masks.

In The Last Of Us Part II

Gas masks are also used in The Last of Us Part II. The player first obtains one as Ellie while patrolling Jackson. They also obtain one when playing as Abby Anderson in Seattle. Much like in the first game, the gas masks provide protection to the players from spores, especially in infected areas like Lakehill Seattle Hospital. However, Ellie does not actually need to wear a gas mask but did so because the fact she is immune was a secret. It was only when it broke in Seattle did Ellie reveal her immunity to Dina.

Enemies and allies use them as well, notably Dina, soldiers within the Washington Liberation Front and Lev.

Appearance

Most masks appear to be a variation of the FM12 gas mask, without the top straps and the lenses tinted green. Joel uses the right attachment for the filter (the FM12 having attachments on both sides) even though he is right handed, which is not useful aiming with long ranged weapons. The filter is not a standard FM12 filter.

However, other masks resemble the M40 gas mask that is used by the military. Some survivors, notably Bill wear this model instead of the S10. This useful feature allows the wearer to drink from a canteen without removing the mask.

Gallery

Joel wearing his respirator.

A soldier wearing a gas mask.

A trapped smuggler with a gas mask.

A soldier during the outbreak using his gas mask.

A soldier 20 years into the outbreak with a gas mask.

The M40 gas mask is similar to Bill's gas mask

Close up of Joel's gas mask.

Joel's gas mask alongside his 9mm pistol and flashlight.

Ellie and Dina with gas masks while exploring.