A filter pad, particularly for a protective hood or smoke mask, has a flow distributor and an adjacent underlying filter layer. The flow distributor, which is impermeable or substantially impermeable to gas, diverts gas flow and directs flow in the underlying filter layer thus increasing or maximizing resident time for filtering in the filter layer. The filter pad may include one or more flow distributors and one or more filter layers. The filter pad may be incorporated into a protective hood that is provided for the protection of individuals in the event of fire or other disaster. The hood includes a transparent, low flammability cover having an opening therein with the filter pad exposed through the opening, the hood being disposed over and completely around the head of a wearer with a bottom thereof extending to a neck of the wearer.