A mask or shield comprising a flow of positive pressure air directed through substantially opposing jets that creates a stream of laminar flow filtered air to create a turbulent air pocket therein for supplying filtered breathing air to a wearer's face and to exclude outside unpurified air. Also a mask or shield comprising a flow of positive pressure air directed via a powered impeller unit that is configured to distribute positively pressurised filtered breathable air inside the face mask in a substantially 360° plane or arc substantially parallel to the internal surface of the face mask and to exclude external unpurified air. The mask is separated from and does not form a seal around a wearer's face unless required such as in a deadly environment or malfunction.