Czech researchers turn snorkels into medical masks

Snorkel mask or medical protection?

Czech researchers added military-grade filters

to low-cost snorkeling masks available at sporting stores

turning them into makeshift respirators

(SOUNDBITE) (CZECH) VOJTECH PETRACEK , PRESIDENT OF CZECH TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY (CVUT) SAYING:

"We are distributing the masks to hospitals in Prague and in other places. We have made 2,200 pieces so far and this week we plan 10,000 more."

They aim to help with the shortage

of high level protection for hospital workers

(SOUNDBITE) (Czech) PAVLINA DANKOVA, HOSPITAL SPOKESWOMAN SAYING:

"Workers from the Department of Infectious Diseases are very excited, they say wearing the mask allows them to work and breathe easily, they can sterilize the mask and use it several times, the filter lasts for a long time. They also add that it lifts their mood - they feel like scuba divers, this is great."

Tests showed the new invention surpassed protection

of respirators that carry some of the highest grade filters