Cold War Crap
Soviet IP-5 Rebreather System
Manufacturer: State Factory
Model: IP-5 (SHIP-M)
Year: 1984
Production run:
Country of origin: U.S.S.R
Description:. IP-5 Underwater Rebreather - low Oxygen situations
Mask + Bladder Price: £9.99 + £5 postage
Oxygen Canister Price: £17.00 free postage
Vendor: seller bea27storee on eBay
Shipped from: UK
Mask + Bladder Price: £9.99 + £5 postage
Oxygen Canister Price: £17.00 free postage
Vendor: seller bea27storee on eBay
Shipped from: UK
What the Hell is it?
First things first, the IP-5 is not your standard Gas Mask ensemble.
In fact it's a lot more than that. The IP-5 is a closed system rebreather which allows the wearer to survive in a low Oxygen environment for up to 2 hour. - this includes underwater usage!.
First things first, the IP-5 is not your standard Gas Mask ensemble.
In fact it's a lot more than that. The IP-5 is a closed system rebreather which allows the wearer to survive in a low Oxygen environment for up to 2 hour. - this includes underwater usage!.
A traditional gas mask works by filtering impurities from the incoming air which has to include oxygen otherwise the wearer would suffocate.
The IP-5 does away with the need for Oxygen as it is fitted with an oxygen generating canister (sold separately)
More on how this system works later....
What's in the Bag?
The package arrived via courier in a large wrapped up bundle.
Here is what was found...
Haversack/s
This soviet crap weighs an absolute ton so a good strong Haversack to keep it safe and secure is essential.
This setup comes with two separate bags.
An inner canvas tie-top bag for keeping a wet mask and bladder away from everything else one presumes.
Then we have the main plastic coated canvas outer bag with shoulder straps etc.
Both are really nice quality and appear to be pretty hard-wearing.
Pipes and whatnot all over the place
What WASN'T in the Bag?
One vital part of the set was missing from the ebay listing - the bloody thing which makes the Oxygen!
Of course I had to buy one to make up the kit and crikey! was it expensive. It cost me more than the other stuff.
The reason? The chemical reagents and structure hiding deep within the canisters cost a small fortune to produce I'm told.
Oxygen Generating Canister RP-5M
Of all of the UK sellers of the IP-5, none it would appear, are willing to provide the all important Oxygen canister as part of the rebreather kit. - They have to be bought separately.
Warnings about not using them are all over the place.
It's almost like they don't want you to buy one...
There maybe a good reason for this.
Safety
The Oxygen generating canister has one critical design flaw.
If water should get inside the canister then it's quite possible it could catch fire killing the poor sod who's wearing it.
A violent reaction can occur when the chemical reagents come into contact with water.
So it's only dangerous if you get water down one of the canister ports (unlikely if you fix it together properly)
Sellers of the IP-5 are understandibly nervous about flogging the cans and stress that they are only for show purposes.
The package arrived via courier in a large wrapped up bundle.
Here is what was found...
Haversack/s
This soviet crap weighs an absolute ton so a good strong Haversack to keep it safe and secure is essential.
This setup comes with two separate bags.
An inner canvas tie-top bag for keeping a wet mask and bladder away from everything else one presumes.
Then we have the main plastic coated canvas outer bag with shoulder straps etc.
Both are really nice quality and appear to be pretty hard-wearing.
You get two bags with this setup
Face Piece
The face piece came rolled up and fastened within the Bladder.
It was in new unissued condition with just a light dusting of talc from storage. The size is a number 2 (medium) although this mask is slightly smaller than the normal size 2.
No exhale valve of course
The mask is made from the same latex rubber as the other Russian full cover hoods. Although similar to the GP-5 mask, it also features a fixed hose system, extra securing straps and doesnt have an exhale valve.
I like the look of this mask. It isn't the freakiest looking but it is different. The 'Grasshopper'
Rebreather Bladder
This strange looking life jacket is in fact the air bladder.
The face piece is attached to the large hose port at the front whilst the Oxygen canister is connected underneath via two smaller hose ports.
The bladder features various straps and harnesses which wrap around the body and hold everything firm.
As the whole setup weighs a considerable amount the straps are a really useful addition.
Pipes and whatnot all over the place
Also on the bladder are two unknown hose ports. These are bunged up with metal caps (see above pic).
I'm not really sure what these were for? Possibly for connecting up to an external oxygen supply for some reason? It's a mystery.
Instruction Pamphlet
This IP-5 kit comes with a plain looking Russian pamphlet.
I have absolutely no idea what any of it mean?.
Although I don't understand any of the wording it's nice to have the original instructions manual in the bag, assuming that it is instructions?
One vital part of the set was missing from the ebay listing - the bloody thing which makes the Oxygen!
Of course I had to buy one to make up the kit and crikey! was it expensive. It cost me more than the other stuff.
The reason? The chemical reagents and structure hiding deep within the canisters cost a small fortune to produce I'm told.
Oxygen Generating Canister RP-5M
Of all of the UK sellers of the IP-5, none it would appear, are willing to provide the all important Oxygen canister as part of the rebreather kit. - They have to be bought separately.
Warnings about not using them are all over the place.
It's almost like they don't want you to buy one...
There maybe a good reason for this.
New Russian Oxygen Canister RP-5M
Safety
The Oxygen generating canister has one critical design flaw.
If water should get inside the canister then it's quite possible it could catch fire killing the poor sod who's wearing it.
A violent reaction can occur when the chemical reagents come into contact with water.
So it's only dangerous if you get water down one of the canister ports (unlikely if you fix it together properly)
Sellers of the IP-5 are understandibly nervous about flogging the cans and stress that they are only for show purposes.
This is where the Canister goes
Fitting the canister to the bladder harness thing isn't particularly easy. The three strap fasteners are a real tight fit around the canister. I'm hoping the pouch will slacken up a bit over time.
With the canister fitted in place - Slung underneath the bladder harness, the IP-5 kit now looks complete
With the canister fitted in place - Slung underneath the bladder harness, the IP-5 kit now looks complete
Who were these issued to?
These kits were designed to be used by Soviet tank crews, Submariners or anyone escaping from a submerged piece of machinery
Research would suggest that these kits were also used for covert special forces use. No bubbles, no detection
These kits could also be issued to personnel entering low Oxygen level situations.
Research would suggest that these kits were also used for covert special forces use. No bubbles, no detection
These kits could also be issued to personnel entering low Oxygen level situations.
How does it work?
The rebreather canister scrubs exhaled air of impuritiies by way of a chemical reaction. Regenerated fresh oxygen is fed back up through the bladder and round the system again.
The canisters are known to get hot during operation due to the chemicsl reaction taking place inside.
I was going to test this system in the bath but thankfully these Russian lads have tested them already...
The canisters are known to get hot during operation due to the chemicsl reaction taking place inside.
I was going to test this system in the bath but thankfully these Russian lads have tested them already...
Russian Test Video #1
Russian Test Video #2
A real underwater rebreather! No scuba gear, no nonsense.
Overall then I'm really happy with this Soviet special.
There's no doubt that it's a rare beast. You don't tend to see many of these so it's worth bagging one when the opportunity arises.
I'm not taking it Underwater!
This thing is heavy!
Rating ✅✅✅✅✅ 5 out of 5
Incredibly rare, incredibly curious, incredibly good price.
This thing works in all sorts of situations - even scuba diving.
It's absolutely brilliant!