UPDATE: This design works best if made out of Vinyl Fabric and with an open center for ponytails.

Vinyl Fabric is not notch sensitive (as it is fabric-reinforced), easily sanitized, UV-resistant, durable, flexible and elastic (so it form fits and is comfortable), and it will not support a flame as it is PVC.

This tutorial makes the most simple form of adjuster for N95 masks. These can be laser cut, die-cut, or easily made at home with an Exacto knife. The adjusters also comfortably distribute the force on your head like the head-cradles on fancy gas masks.

Our brave nurses and doctors are risking their lives treating COVID-19 patients and then coming home to cut up faces because they have had to wear tight N95 masks for their whole shift. ( i.e. )

I noticed this myself as I have been wearing these for long shifts in a vet hospital and come home with a cut or abrasion on my face every day. To fix this, I made a template for adjusters for these masks.

Supplies

Thin and flexible plastic or foam sheet

Exacto Knife, Laser Cutter, or Vinyl Cutter

Printer

Step 1: Print This

Step 2: Tape the printed template to your material of choice.

Step 3: With an Exacto knife, slice the 5 dark lines for the number of masks you plan to make. (I recommend making as many as you can so you can give the extras to hospital workers.) After this, proceed to cut along the dotted lines with scissors or the same knife.

Step 4: Cut the top elastic on the mask at the half-way mark. (You can also use masks with broken elastics)

Step 5: Pass one of the newly-formed elastics through one of the slits in the group of two. Pull it out the adjacent slit and tie it.

Step 6: Pass the other elastic through the first slit on the group of three. Then, push the elastic back through the third slit. Finally, put the elastic under the second slit pull until it is adjusted to your most comfortable length.

Note: These are designed so they can easily be laser cut or die-cut as they are 2D. I will also be coming out with a design for a 3D printable version much like what you see on most gas masks.