Maybe. Given how tight it's strapped to the backpack, I have doubts about this having any real use as a gas mask, it's not handy to put on your face and put back in place given how it's firmly attached. Now one could still argue that it's for casual use on top of the mask he's already wearing, as in you turn your head a bit toward the towel thing, and with one hand you maintain that towel thing on your mouth/nose. Not very handy especially if you need both hands to do anything, but it's still doable that way I guess.