For the first time in a long time, patients could actually see my face. They could see when I smiled. They could see when I cheered them on as they got better. And they could see me when I sat with them while they took their last breath. I was no longer just a masked up, faceless being but a woman who wanted the best for my patients. Faces (and expressions) are so important in life and masks took that away from us. But the PAPR restored humanity. It restored the way we, as nurses, cared for our patients.

In November 2020, I ended up getting COVID and dealt with post infection respiratory and cardiac issues for a while, which made wearing an N95 super difficult. The CAPR® became my saving grace then because I was able to provide care to my patients while wearing the CAPR® and be able to breathe easier while still being protected. I also like that my patients are able to actually see my face and my expressions compared to being hidden behind a mask. I could not imagine having emotional conversations with someone whose face is hidden behind a mask and how hard that would be.

The MAXAIR® CAPR® was, and continues to be, a godsend. It filters 99.97%, without the need for another smothering mask. It has delivered cool, filtered air at variable speeds for entire 8 hour shifts. It's not loud or heavy. I was deployed from the Operating Room to the ICU, DOU and patient floors into rooms that sometimes had three COVID-19 positive patients/room. I was much more comfortable, and much less anxious, wearing my MAXAIR® CAPR®, and have stayed healthy since the initial surge in COVID-19 cases.

I just spent six or seven hours out at fire job. Not only working the fire job doing pack out, but training. And I gotta tell ya, I've come back feeling pretty refreshed. I felt like I had an air conditioner on my head, these units are so lightweight. It felt like a bicycle helmet. Like I almost didn't have anything on. We do some of the most uncomfortable work you can do. And I don't plan on doing a fire job ever again without having this unit.

I had the pleasure of training with Jeff Jones recently and was exposed to the MAXAIR® for the first time. I was extremely surprised how light and comfortable the apparatus was and how after just a few minutes feeling like I was not wearing anything at all. I grew up in the industry wearing a full-face respirator and the MAXAIR® seems like light years ahead of the competition.