How to Make an Isolation Suit

Isolation suits are used to protect the body in emergency situations.

Making an isolation suit is a creative way to make a "toxic" entrance to a costume party or event. Isolation suits are worn by bio-hazard crews and professional scientists dealing with toxic chemicals and other agents. The trick to making an isolation suit is to incorporate the plastic mask that covers the face. Once your suit is created, you can carry an "emergency" bag with you to act as a carrying case for emergency tools.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• White or yellow hooded jogging suit pull-over jacket (or windbreaker)
• Marker
• Scissors
• Polyethylene plastic
• Straight-knife
• Grommet (2)
• Grommet pliers
• White or yellow jogging suit pants
• White or yellow rubber gloves
• Black boots
• White or yellow plastic bag (2)
• Yellow or red duffel bag

Instructions

1. Measure the width and the height of your hood. The measurements will be used to create your face mask. Add 4 inches to the width dimension to extend your plastic face mask behind the hood opening.

2. Cut a piece of polyethylene plastic to the dimensions from Step 1.

3. Measure 4 inches up from the neck line on the hood opening on the left. Measure 1 inch to the left -- onto the body of the hood. Mark an X on the hood at this spot. Repeat for the right side. Cut a 3/8-inch hole in to fabric at the X marks.

4. Measure 4 inches up from the neck line on the left side of the plastic face mask. Measure 1 inch to the right -- onto the body of the mask. Mark an X on the mask at this spot. Measure 4 inches up from the neck line on the right side of the plastic face mask. Measure 1 inch to the left -- onto the body of the mask. Cut a 3/8-inch hole at each X mark.

5. Fit the face mask into place so the holes on the hood overlap the holes on the mask. Push the main grommet piece up through the left side hole. Place the grommet piece cover over the main piece. Use the grommet pliers to fasten the grommet and secure the left side of the hood and mask. Repeat for the right side. The mask is now fastened into the hood.

6. Put on the jogging pants. Put on the black boots. Place the left boot into a plastic bag--white or yellow to match your suit. Tie the back around the boot. Repeat for the right boot. Tuck plastic ties into each boot. Pull the cuff of the jogging pants over each boot.

7. Slide on your pullover jogging jacket. Adjust your head in the hooded mask. Put on your rubber gloves and pick up your "emergency" duffel bag. You can breathe easily in the hooded mask because air will filter easily around the openings of the plastic.

References

• Science Photo: Pharmaceutical Worker in Isolation Suit Shower

Resources

• Apartment Therapy: How to Install a Grommet
• Google: Dritz 1P Grommet Plier Kit 3/8