How To Choose A Dive Mask

[@ephilippos]

Great video with great advice; prob now due to Covid-19 is that scuba gear shops do not allow fitting of a mask on a potential client’s face prior to buying; guess we have to wait to buy a fitting mask until this caution is lifted...

[@Gefilta]

Thanks ! Very informative . Does Boyle’s law apply when just snorkelling and diving shallow water? Just wondering about strap tightness in these conditions.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello boqopod, great question. Yes, it does. Boyles law is in effect, even here at the surface. Anytime we gain any pressure above 14.7psi, normal atmospheric pressure at sea level, the volume will decrease. So simply by putting your face in the water, your mask will get tighter. We encourage all divers and snorkelers to never over tighten their mask.

[@Gefilta]

@@LakeHickoryScuba great thanks very much for getting back to me. There must be a problem with the fit then. It does stay on when I breathe in through my nose on land and it is ok at depth but on the surface and duck-diving it leaks.

[@Gefilta]

@@LakeHickoryScuba just wanted to say thanks to you I went and bought a new mask. Made sure it fit all the way round while looking up without strap, then suctioned on looking ahead. fits great and what you said is true , can now dive with no leaks and loose strap.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

That is awesome to hear boqopod. Glad you found a mask that fits perfectly for you.

[@joemoses56]

Hi, thank you so much for your very informative video and your patience in presenting the video, you are a good teacher, i do appreciate for that. i am from India and like to dive a lot. I bought a mask made by WHALE . I used to swim without a problem but recently water is leaking into the mask I have shave my moustache one mm but it is still leaking. some advised me to use vaseline. Thanks for your time.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Vaseline has worked for me in the past as well. Plain Chapstick is another great option.

[@rybiii]

hi, what mask would you recommend for a narrow female face? Its tough to get a mask these days when lockdown doesn allow me to go gout and try :( thanks

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello rybiii, Mares makes a mid frame series in their X-Vision line. These tend to work great for divers with smaller profile faces. Give them a try, and hopefully it will work for you.

[@tonton-xm4dd]

Is it possible to color the strap of the googles/mask?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello @tonton-xm4dd. I'm sure there is a company out there that manufactures colored straps. You can also get a colored strap cover to go on top of it as well.

[@tutu8482]

Hi, nice video. But why the Head marlin mask had double layers under the nose purge valve? When under the water, the pressure will push the outer layer onto the inner layer, so using nose to blow out is very difficult, because you have not only to against water pressure but against 2 layers pushed together. So why the design is like that? Can I cut off the outer layer? Thanks.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

I can't speak for the design by Head Sports, but we haven't had any complaints. People tend to enjoy the mask, and none seem to have trouble clearing or equalizing the mask.

[@plcnoob]

Can you do another video on detailed mask sealing techniques for people with facial hair.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Absolutely, I will try my best to get it done by the end of the week. Until then here is a link to one of our older videos talking about this exact issue. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5yne4Sfnsmfmtk

[@Tyler-sq4lt]

My mask seems to work fine without a snorkel. But, when I use a snorkel I get a leak in the nose. The suction test works fine for me with my mask too. Any suggestions for me?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Tyler The first thing I would do is determine if the snorkel is the problem or if simply the placement of the snorkel is the problem. Traditionally people tend to place the snorkel in front of their ear on the side of the mask. This tends to not be the most ergonomical place to use it. First when you lean forward to place your face in the water, the snorkel will tilt forward and the top will be parallel with the water. This will also cause the snorkel to pull on the side of the mask, which can cause it to leak. A simple solution is to slide the snorkel further back behind your ear, so that when you lean forward, the snorkel is positioned so that it is perpendicular the the water's surface. This will take all the stress off the mask, and make it easier to breathe. If this does not work, then I would look at getting a different style of snorkel, either one bigger or smaller. Experiment with different ones until you find the one that works for you. Even though we train to always put your snorkel on the left side, try it on your right and see if it works for you. The good thing about Scuba Diving, regardless of what others say about philosophy of scuba, you have to do what works for you and what makes you feel comfortable underwater. The last thing I will suggest is if you do buy a new snorkel, look into a folding style one, that fits nicely in a pocket. It's there if you need it, but it won't cause trouble while underwater. I am a firm believer that a snorkel has its place and is important to divers at the surface, but underwater, they are useless. Hope this helps.

[@Tyler-sq4lt]

LakeHickoryScuba Thanks for the response. I will try your suggestion. I was thinking also maybe the seal was breaking, because my upper lip moves when I place and use the snorkel mouthpiece in my mouth. Would applying some Vaseline to the skirt near my nose help keep the seal?

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Possibly, be worth a try.

[@skippertips]

Outstanding presentation! Thank You.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Thank You for the kind words, and You are welcome.

[@spade0655]

I have a big head I like how the mares one vision looks I wonder if it would fit me

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

The One Vision comes in 2 different sizes. Standard and Sunrise. The Sunrise is designed for larger faces.

[@spade0655]

LakeHickoryScuba...awesome thanks for the info I'm gonna look in to that one.

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Spade Spade You are welcome

[@noahs8366]

Would a one vision mares mask fit me Im 11

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

When picking out a new mask, the best way to do it is to try it on. Unfortunately, I want be able to tell you over the internet which one fits you. Have you parents take you to your local dive shop and start trying some on. Happy Diving.

[@andywu1813]

Hello,our company specializes in R&D and production of custom OEM swimming, diving, snorkeling ski goggles equipment.If you need these products. We support samples and customization, welcome to consult and visit, thank you。

[@LakeHickoryScuba]

Hello Andy Wu, thank you for the offer. If you would like to come by the shop we would be happy to set up an appointment with you.