The present invention is directed to an air purifying escape hood that protects a user from acute environmental hazards by filtering contaminants and providing breathable air for a time sufficient to escape the hazard. The air purifying escape hood comprises a hood assembly that covers the head of the user and a filter assembly that filters contaminants and provides a flow of purified air to a user. The air purifying escape hood is particularly useful in protecting a user from smoke, allowing the user to safely escape a burning building and is further useful for protection against non-smoke related particulates, chemical and biological contaminants, and radiological/nuclear contaminants.