Numpty question - masks

colinicky · 21st November 2006, 06:50

IMHO I would wait untill I had the course & some dives out of the way before you change ,I went through the same problem on my course & for about the first 6 dives afterwards .It all came down to me not being as confident & relaxed as on OC .I persevered with the same mask as it had prescrition lens in .Now even with dives upto 2 hours on the unit I very rarely get any water in the mask .

**nigelh** · 21st November 2006, 09:27

Like we teach them in Scuba 101...

Go to the shop.
Start at the cheapest mask in a colour you can stomach
Work up until you find one that fits your face.
'Fit' is that you can make it stick with the very minimum of nose suck.
After the first five you'll get the idea of 'minimum'. It is a lot less than most people think.

Buying by brand name or by post/internet is a total lottery.
You probably get a wonderful mask but it might fit if you're lucky.

Then don't do the strap up too tight.
This is the main cause of leaking masks that used to fit that I know.

Woz · 21st November 2006, 11:31

I use an X-Vision as my main mask and an Atomic in my pocket as a backup. However I find the X-Vision is not tolerant if you don't shave and you get a dribble into the mask. The Atomic fits well but doens't give as good a field of view.

I had a "bad mask day" on Sunday. Mainly 'cos it was last minute "chuck the kit in the car" and I didn't have time to shave. Still. Gave me lots of mask clearing practice. Not that I need it.

Ben Field · 21st November 2006, 11:57

Quote: (Originally Posted by Steve)

Buy 2

I'd (ha ha) 2nd that.... its part of your loop so carry a decent spare.

BEN

mstroeck · 21st November 2006, 12:47

Just because nobody has mentioned it yet: I love my Cressi Sub Superocchios to bits. I originally bought one as a spare to carry in a thigh pocket, but it fit so well it ended up as primary. So I had to get a second one :-) Tiny internal volume and the best fit on my face of all the masks I've tried. Your milage will vary regarding fit, of course.

decoweenie · 21st November 2006, 13:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by mstroeck)

...I love my Cressi Sub Superocchios to bits...

I do too. I have carried mine as back-up for years since it is so small.

But the main mask has always been the SP Frameless, also for years, since nothing else has the better mixture of view and volume.

However, after one of my SP Frameless mask finally gave out forcing me to go to the back-up. It worked, but wasn't in good condition from being unused for so long.

After that I bought a bunch of no-brand Frameless masks (identical except for SP logo) at 1/2 price each. And start using the same mask for back-up.

After all, it only takes up a tiny amount more of space in the pocket but it is the same identical mask so I could swap them around for equal exposure/use.

The comment about selecting one that fits is very valid as each individual face is different, so can't expect one to fit all.

6Gill · 21st November 2006, 13:57

Agreed!

Quote: (Originally Posted by nigelh)

Like we teach them in Scuba 101...

Go to the shop.
Start at the cheapest mask in a colour you can stomach
Work up until you find one that fits your face.
'Fit' is that you can make it stick with the very minimum of nose suck.
After the first five you'll get the idea of 'minimum'. It is a lot less than most people think.

Buying by brand name or by post/internet is a total lottery.
You probably get a wonderful mask but it might fit if you're lucky.

Then don't do the strap up too tight.
This is the main cause of leaking masks that used to fit that I know.

Pierre Farrugia · 21st November 2006, 14:04

Hello,

After seeing a lot of pics here of rebreather divers using Scubapro frameless masks, I bought from e bay a Beaver Atomic and can say it's the best mask I ever had. Very good seal, and great field of vision, dead black and super sexy, which is a must

It's the one used in my Avatar

tflaris · 21st November 2006, 17:49

ScubaPro Frameless "the original" and the Atomic Frameless both very nice, low profile and low volume.

onthetrain · 21st November 2006, 19:09

Guys, thanks very much for all your answers. Maybe not such a numpty question after all

I figure that the main problem causing the leak is the change in facial shape from holding an O/c 2nd stage to the loop. Maybe also not quite as relaxed as normal so probably frowning a lot whilst staring at handsets

Consesnsus seemsto be for a low volume frameless mask. I tried a couple on in my friendly LDS the other day, one was an oceanic and another a Beaver frameless I think.

My other LDS does Mares & Cressi so I'll try them too. I expect underwater explorers at Portland does Scubapro so may try one of those at the weekend if I manage to get in the sea. It's time my old one was consigned to the bin anyway, definitly seen better days.

21st November 2006, 06:50	#11 (permalink)
colinicky RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: uk Posts: 681	Re: Numpty question - masks IMHO I would wait untill I had the course & some dives out of the way before you change ,I went through the same problem on my course & for about the first 6 dives afterwards .It all came down to me not being as confident & relaxed as on OC .I persevered with the same mask as it had prescrition lens in .Now even with dives upto 2 hours on the unit I very rarely get any water in the mask . __________________ Colin I trust my rebreather completely , I just don't trust the user onwards & downwards
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21st November 2006, 09:27	#12 (permalink)
nigelh New member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Brighton, Sussex, UK Posts: 883	Re: Numpty question - masks Like we teach them in Scuba 101... Go to the shop. Start at the cheapest mask in a colour you can stomach Work up until you find one that fits your face. 'Fit' is that you can make it stick with the very minimum of nose suck. After the first five you'll get the idea of 'minimum'. It is a lot less than most people think. Buying by brand name or by post/internet is a total lottery. You probably get a wonderful mask but it might fit if you're lucky. Then don't do the strap up too tight. This is the main cause of leaking masks that used to fit that I know. __________________ nigelh
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21st November 2006, 11:31	#13 (permalink)
Woz Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nottingham Posts: 186	Re: Numpty question - masks I use an X-Vision as my main mask and an Atomic in my pocket as a backup. However I find the X-Vision is not tolerant if you don't shave and you get a dribble into the mask. The Atomic fits well but doens't give as good a field of view. I had a "bad mask day" on Sunday. Mainly 'cos it was last minute "chuck the kit in the car" and I didn't have time to shave. Still. Gave me lots of mask clearing practice. Not that I need it. __________________ Still punting shiny diving tatt to gullible divers www.kitfondle.co.uk
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21st November 2006, 11:57	#14 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,775	Re: Numpty question - masks Quote: (Originally Posted by Steve) Buy 2 I'd (ha ha) 2nd that.... its part of your loop so carry a decent spare. BEN __________________ Know your PPO2, Pre-breath, Use checklists, Validate cells at 6mtrs, Use pure O2 at or near surface, Use a BOV, Don't dive Solo, Change Slime and Cells as recommended by Manufacturer and RTFM! Beware Fridge Suck! www.hugsac.org.uk
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21st November 2006, 12:47	#15 (permalink)
mstroeck New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 32	Re: Numpty question - masks Just because nobody has mentioned it yet: I love my Cressi Sub Superocchios to bits. I originally bought one as a spare to carry in a thigh pocket, but it fit so well it ended up as primary. So I had to get a second one :-) Tiny internal volume and the best fit on my face of all the masks I've tried. Your milage will vary regarding fit, of course. __________________ Michael Ströck
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21st November 2006, 13:03	#16 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,487	Re: Numpty question - masks Quote: (Originally Posted by mstroeck) ...I love my Cressi Sub Superocchios to bits... I do too. I have carried mine as back-up for years since it is so small. But the main mask has always been the SP Frameless, also for years, since nothing else has the better mixture of view and volume. However, after one of my SP Frameless mask finally gave out forcing me to go to the back-up. It worked, but wasn't in good condition from being unused for so long. After that I bought a bunch of no-brand Frameless masks (identical except for SP logo) at 1/2 price each. And start using the same mask for back-up. After all, it only takes up a tiny amount more of space in the pocket but it is the same identical mask so I could swap them around for equal exposure/use. The comment about selecting one that fits is very valid as each individual face is different, so can't expect one to fit all. __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM Last edited by decoweenie : 21st November 2006 at 14:14.
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21st November 2006, 13:57	#17 (permalink)
6Gill Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 112	Re: Numpty question - masks Agreed! Quote: (Originally Posted by nigelh) Like we teach them in Scuba 101... Go to the shop. Start at the cheapest mask in a colour you can stomach Work up until you find one that fits your face. 'Fit' is that you can make it stick with the very minimum of nose suck. After the first five you'll get the idea of 'minimum'. It is a lot less than most people think. Buying by brand name or by post/internet is a total lottery. You probably get a wonderful mask but it might fit if you're lucky. Then don't do the strap up too tight. This is the main cause of leaking masks that used to fit that I know. __________________ "It's a shame ignorance isn't painful!"
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21st November 2006, 14:04	#18 (permalink)
Pierre Farrugia Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Malta Posts: 636	Re: Numpty question - masks Hello, After seeing a lot of pics here of rebreather divers using Scubapro frameless masks, I bought from e bay a Beaver Atomic and can say it's the best mask I ever had. Very good seal, and great field of vision, dead black and super sexy, which is a must It's the one used in my Avatar __________________ Pierre Farrugia My wife told me " If you don't quit diving I'm going to leave you" My reply " God, I'll miss you" www.atlam.org www.divemed.com
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21st November 2006, 17:49	#19 (permalink)
tflaris God save the Queen Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Neptune Beach, Florida Posts: 274	Re: Numpty question - masks ScubaPro Frameless "the original" and the Atomic Frameless both very nice, low profile and low volume. __________________ "Except for this one, I have come to the conclusion that all generalizations are false" -Jim Hayes
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21st November 2006, 19:09	#20 (permalink)
onthetrain New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: POOLE Posts: 62	Re: Numpty question - masks Guys, thanks very much for all your answers. Maybe not such a numpty question after all I figure that the main problem causing the leak is the change in facial shape from holding an O/c 2nd stage to the loop. Maybe also not quite as relaxed as normal so probably frowning a lot whilst staring at handsets Consesnsus seemsto be for a low volume frameless mask. I tried a couple on in my friendly LDS the other day, one was an oceanic and another a Beaver frameless I think. My other LDS does Mares & Cressi so I'll try them too. I expect underwater explorers at Portland does Scubapro so may try one of those at the weekend if I manage to get in the sea. It's time my old one was consigned to the bin anyway, definitly seen better days.
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