Numpty question - masks

Scubascooby · 22nd November 2006, 09:29

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.

Well said that man. I've been teaching people this for almost 20 years and it works.

You have to buy a mask that fits your face. Take a snorkel with you to the shop so that you can mimick having the mouthpiece in place as this will alter your face shape around the top lip and nose.

viscya · 22nd November 2006, 15:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by colinicky)

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 .

I'll second the "wait a bit" response.

My mask has always leaked. Since I have a mustache, it is difficult to not leek. On OC, I would keep positive pressure in the mask which kept it dry, but produced a fine stream of bubbles. During Mod-1, my instructor pointed out the bubbles, but I held onto the mask due to the prescription lenses. I figured I'd eventually get a new mask with my new prescription, then use the current mask as a backup. After 6 months on CC, the leek is gone. In my case, it was a matter of being more relaxed with the unit.

22nd November 2006, 09:29	#21 (permalink)
Scubascooby Better Off Out of the EU Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Great Britain Posts: 388	Re: Numpty question - masks 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. Well said that man. I've been teaching people this for almost 20 years and it works. You have to buy a mask that fits your face. Take a snorkel with you to the shop so that you can mimick having the mouthpiece in place as this will alter your face shape around the top lip and nose. __________________ "dove" is NOT the past tense of "dive" Better off OUT of the EU ! www.hugsac.org.uk
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22nd November 2006, 15:14	#22 (permalink)
viscya Wrecking Crew Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Marlton New Jersey Posts: 138	Re: Numpty question - masks Quote: (Originally Posted by colinicky) 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 . I'll second the "wait a bit" response. My mask has always leaked. Since I have a mustache, it is difficult to not leek. On OC, I would keep positive pressure in the mask which kept it dry, but produced a fine stream of bubbles. During Mod-1, my instructor pointed out the bubbles, but I held onto the mask due to the prescription lenses. I figured I'd eventually get a new mask with my new prescription, then use the current mask as a backup. After 6 months on CC, the leek is gone. In my case, it was a matter of being more relaxed with the unit. __________________ "There is nothing majestic or dignified about being left to silently rot and collapse under heaps of old fishing net forgotten and unappreciated in dark and unvisited waters." DrMike
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