Beginners guide to Scuba Dive Masks and Snorkels

Diving masks serve as an interface between a diver and the water. They provide protection from water pressure, allow for better breathing through a regulator, and are often used to improve visibility underwater. Scuba diving masks come in many different sizes for adults and children.

Scuba divers can also wear special types of masks called snorkels that keep their head above the surface while they swim but do not require them to hold their breath. These type of masks have no mouthpiece so they cannot be used with regulators or tanks.

In this article we will examine thoroughly the following topics:

• What is a Scuba Mask
• Types of Masks
• How to Choose the Right Mask for You
• When to Replace Your Mask
• Tips and Tricks for Wearing a Scuba Mask Properly
• The Importance of Buying Quality Equipment
• Common Mistakes New Divers Make with Their Masks
• A Few Words on Snorkels vs Masks

What is a Scuba Mask

So, what exactly is a scuba diving mask? A scuba mask (also called a swimming or diving mask) is a face mask designed to be used for diving. Masks cover the eyes and nose, but not the mouth. The first diving masks were made of glass and used a metal mesh screen held in tension by means of convoluted rubber frames. Today, most are silicone rubber, although variants using other materials exist. Scuba masks can have one large lens, or two (usually an outer clear lens and inner green tinted one).

Types of Masks

There are several different types of masks that are available with respect to their level of optical correction. These include:

Mirror Image Mask

This type provides absolutely no optical correction for either distance vision or close-up vision. This is useful for correcting vision in only one eye or only at certain distances. Some divers are affected by a condition called the “wandering eye,” which manifests itself as an inability to focus on objects close up, and/or to keep both eyes focused on the same object at the same time. A mirror image mask can be used to correct this condition.

Masks with Differential Correction

Some masks provide more than single focal correction, but rather offer various levels of optical correction. These are often called “multi-focal” masks or “combination” masks and come in several varieties: Single lens combination mask – The inner lens is the primary lens for distance vision, while the outer lens is the primary lens for close-up vision. The advantage to this type of mask is that the diver does not have to switch lenses if he or she wants both distance and close-up correction (which may be necessary, for example, when using a computer underwater). This design also reduces fogging of the inner lens. Single lens multi-focal mask – In these masks, the various levels of correction are created by adding additional lenses and prisms. The advantage to this type multi-focal design is that it provides more focal points than a single lens combination mask. Double lens multi-focal mask – This type of mask offers the most optical correction of all types of multi-focal masks. In these masks, the close-up lens is placed on one side of the mask. All color correcting filters used in scuba diving masks are fused to the inner surface of the glass of a double lens combination mask.

Double Lens Mask

This type has its distance and close up lenses separated, usually by an intermediate water filled chamber. The advantage to this design is that the lenses can be made larger than in a single lens combination mask. This increases the area of the diver’s field of view, which will also increase his or her likelihood of detecting approaching objects or animals. The disadvantage is that close-up correction, if needed, must be switched out.

Double Lens Mask with a Fixed Diopter

In this mask, the close-up lens is mounted on a turret that allows for quick swapping of the distance and close-up lenses. This design also facilitates dry suit diving since water will not be able to enter into the mask when changing out lenses. The higher quality masks have features such as tempered glass, tempered mask lens, anti-fog lenses that minimize fogging under all conditions and ensure maximum underwater vision.

How to Choose the Right Mask for You

Choosing the right scuba mask is an important decision. The right one will offer a wide field of view, the best fit and comfortable seal on your face, as well as correct optical correction for you. Choosing between the different types of masks can be tough, so here are some things to consider:

1. What kind of diving are you doing?
2. What type of water temperature do you dive in most often?
3. How old are your eyes? (If you wear glasses, get an extra mask if one is required for distance correction.)
4. Do you have Astigmatism or other vision-related issues that a multi-focal mask can help?
5. Do you have an issue with a wandering eye that requires a mask with dual lenses?
6. . In addition to these considerations, here are some general tips about selecting the right mask:

• Get fitted for the right size and type of mask. As soon as you purchase your first scuba mask, take it out of the package and try it on to see how it feels and fits. If you are not sure if a certain model will work for you, ask your scuba store’s staff member or stop in during your local dive club’s open house . A good fit is very important!
• Make the mask feel like part of your face by adjusting the skirt. Most masks come with a high quality silicone rubber “skirt” that offers you a perfect seal and feels like it is part of your body when you put it on. This means no more jaw, ear or cheek discomfort! If it isn’t comfortable, try adjusting the skirt so it fits better to your face — each mask has its own design and a simple tweak of the skirt can make it feel like a new mask. Many manufacturers offer replacement rubber skirts for their masks, so if you have trouble with yours, contact the company’s customer service or check their website for replacements.
• Use a high quality silicone-based lubricant to help keep your cornea from drying out. A well lubricated mask can reduce the redness and irritation that sometimes happens with masks that have a cheap, oil-based lubricant on them. Many divers experience problems with eye dryness from decreased tear production (the eyes don’t make enough tears), an increase in evaporation of water from the eyes (especially when you go from a warm room to the cold water), and from a reduction in blinking due to surface tension created by diving masks (the increased surface tension of the water creates less resistance for our eyes to move across it). In addition, there are actually tiny hairline cracks in the lens at the edges next to your eye that can occasionally let water get into your mask. If you have a problem with red/dry eyes, invest in some high quality silicone lubricant and apply it to your mask before each dive.
• Use a thinner lubricant for very cold water . Many divers who use high quality silicone-based lubricants find that they are not compatible with very cold water (under about 50 degrees F). If you are going to dive in cold water and use a silicone based lubricant, try using one that is thinner so it will not freeze on your mask. In the North Sea, for example, most divers use a thinner silicone-based liquid called Lube 52 (which also happens to be better for underwater cameras).
• The best masks are the ones that fit your face! Try on as many masks as you can and do some diving with different people’s masks if you have access to them. Then choose the one that fits your face best.
• Make sure there is a spare or replacement lens available for it. You never know when you might hit a rock and need a new lens. The best masks on the market today have at least one extra lens available for replacement.

When to Replace Your Mask

The truth is, no one is sure exactly how long a mask will work before it needs to be replaced. However, there are several factors that will increase the likelihood of requiring a replacement:

• If you get hit in the face by something or if you drop your mask during a dive. Both of these factors can lead to scratches on the lens that can cause it to break or crack.
• If the mask begins to leak . This is very important! Never ignore a leaking mask, especially if you get hit in the face with water from it. You should probably replace your mask if you have any problems using it on a dive and there are many benefits of replacing masks before they are completely worn out. For example, a new mask will often require less effort to clear and fit better so you can see through it more easily.
• If the lens starts to separate from the rest of the mask . Leaks are always caused by damaged parts of your equipment but this is only one potential source of such damage. Make sure you are not causing any excess stress on the weakest parts of your mask such as the lens, skirt or buckles when putting it on.
• If you notice some hairline cracks at the edges of your lens . This is another indication that something may be wrong with your mask and it should be replaced before there is a further breakdown in the integrity of the lens.
• If you get hit in the face by a wave or something else . The standard advice is to replace your mask when this happens if there is any visible crack or tear on it…but honestly who has time for that! Many divers have found that they can prevent the damage from spreading and causing a leak by using silicone-based lubricant on the area of damage. This will help to prevent further stress from being placed upon it and sometimes a quick application of grease prior to your dive can make all the difference (and also have other benefits which I mentioned in tip #3: “The Best Masks are the Ones That Fit Your Face”).
• When the strap or skirt no longer works properly . This should be obvious. If your mask is not secure on your face and you are having problems equalizing through it, then you have all the makings of an accident just waiting to happen.

Tips and Tricks for Wearing a Scuba Mask Properly

• Always make sure your strap is snug around your head . It should be tight enough to stay on but not so tight that it is uncomfortable.
• Make sure you use a lubricant (if the mask is silicone, I’d suggest using something like Lube 52). You may also want to try applying some grease or Vaseline to the strap material so it does not chafe as much when you are putting on your mask.
• Make sure the skirt is tight around your face . If there is any slack, the air will escape and you won’t be able to equalize properly or see where you are going.
• Put pressure on the mask when you are trying to equalize . This may be uncomfortable and even cause pain but it will help you clear your ears easier.
• Be careful not to drop your mask onto a hard surface. If you do so, do not reuse it without first inspecting it and replacing any broken parts.
• Do not try and adjust the mask while you are submerged . This can lead to serious injury or death.
• Try not to wear contact lenses with your diver’s mask. If you must, make sure there is tight contact between the lens and your eye in order to ensure that water cannot get into it when you dive (especially if you are diving deeper than 30 feet).
• Do not wear eyeglasses with your mask. There is no way to make this combination work and you are better off without them on a dive.
• Never touch the lens or otherwise try to clean it until after your dive. You will get oil from your hands all over it and it could cause damage in the long term.
• Never touch the inside of your mask. It is an easy way for dirt and bacteria to get into your mask and it can quickly cause it to fog up, which could be dangerous underwater (if you can’t see, then how do you know where the surface of the water is or tell what threats there are lurking

The Importance of Buying Quality scuba diving Equipment

You should take a lot of care when choosing your first scuba mask. Consider the above tips and be sure to check out reviews online from other divers for suggestions on what works and what doesn’t. There are many high-quality masks available that will never let you down, however if you buy one which has several problems with it (such as it leaks, breaks easily or just doesn’t fit right) then you are likely to have a poor experience underwater and may not be that eager to dive again. In order to ensure that you will continue to enjoy diving in the future, spend an extra few bucks on your mask so you don’t have regrets later on!

8 Common Mistakes New Divers Make with Their Masks

The first thing you should know is that it can be tricky to get a mask to properly seal against your face at first. Below are some of the most common mistakes made by new divers when they put on their own masks for the first time:

• Not tightening the strap enough around the head . This allows all of the air inside of the mask to escape.
• Not having the skirt (rubber part of the frame that seals against your face) tight enough . This allows water in through any gaps left by an ill-fitting mask.
• Having too much slack in the strap when putting it on or during a dive . If there’s too much play in the strap, it can be knocked off your face or even damaged by hitting something.
• Taking off the mask during a dive , especially when you are learning how to equalize . You could break your own eardrum in the process if you take your ear out of water while not properly equalized and there is a risk that you can end up suffocating if you put your mouthpiece inside the mask while removing it.
• Not taking off your mask (and not being able to see underwater) while making adjustments on your regulator . This could result in a situation where you accidentally remove something or unscrew it too far, causing leaks which are dangerous and can even lead to an emergency evacuation.
• Not making sure your mask strap remains on your head during an emergency ascent . This could cause the mask to fly off of the diver’s face and land in a dangerous place (such as into the path of another diver, or back down to the floor of the ocean).
• Picking up your mask during a dive to check it out. Never do this, as you could drop it.
• Not wearing your mask correctly when you are not underwater . This allows the moisture from your breath to accumulate inside of the mask frame which will cause fogging.

A Few Words on Snorkels vs Masks

If you really want to have fun underwater, then do yourself a favor and spend that little extra money on a mask which will work well for your face. You can even take a look at snorkel sets if you’re not ready for scuba just yet – these are usually cheaper than masks and can also be used with scuba gear, making them a good place to start.

With that said, there are many reasons why snorkels (and masks) are the better choice over using nothing at all, especially if you’re only looking to try things out for the first time:

Snorkels let you breathe while submerged under water so you can have fun underneath the surface of lakes (for example). It’s not even hard to figure out how a snorkel works, as they are very simple devices – you just put it up to your mouth and inhale through it while submerged. You can then exhale though your nose or mouth to get rid of any water that enters into the tube – it’s really that simple!

Snorkels offer an awesome added sense of security. Whereas traditional scuba divers have to rely on a buddy or dive master in some cases, snorkelers can generally continue enjoying themselves underwater for as long as they want without having to worry about anything. You’ll be more comfortable and confident while snorkeling , which could lead to you enjoying yourself more than if you aren’t using something while underwater.

Masks are great because they protect your face and eyes from getting dirty or damaged, giving you a ton of added comfort as well as safety! Masks keep the water out of your mouth too, making it so that breathing underwater is a lot more comfortable and stress-free than breathing out of your mouth while submerged.

Scuba Masks come in all shapes, sizes and prices so they are better for finding the best fit for your face shape! Snorkels don’t do you this courtesy because they have one very generic design that works well on most faces.

So What’s The Difference Between These 2 Devices?

Snorkel vs mask is a question that many divers find themselves asking in the process of learning how to dive and how to snorkel . Many people use these devices interchangeably, but there are definitely differences between them.

Masks have a few key advantages over snorkels, such as the fact that they are more comfortable for a lot of people, especially those with masks on their face already since they’re used to wearing them. Masks fit on your face better and are designed to be able to keep out more water from getting in when you use a snorkel (since they have fully-sealed designs and are made out of hard plastic).

Snorkels also have an advantage on the fact that they can be used in a variety of different situations and environments. Snorkels can be used when you’re swimming near boats, where masks would not work very well as they require calm waters without any waves or chop coming up against you.

Another thing that masks have going for them is the fact that they are cheaper than snorkels – not only do many people find them to be more comfortable, but they cost less as well! So if you’re looking to spend less on gear, then a mask would definitely be what you want to pick up instead of a snorkel.

If you’re looking to go snorkeling for the first time and don’t really know what gear to pick up, then I would definitely recommend picking up a mask instead of a snorkel set – masks are cheaper and they offer more comfort in many cases. With that said, though, if you’re looking for a cheap way to try out snorkeling for the very first time, then you should definitely go with a snorkel since they cost less than masks and are generally easier to find.

Conclusion

You certainly don’t want to go out and spend your hard-earned cash on anything less than quality gear, especially if you plan to scuba dive for real. Picking up a flimsy mask or snorkel that is made of cheap materials could spell disaster in the event that you need it most!

The last thing that any diver wants is to be underwater far from shore with limited visibility and no way to catch their breath because their gear broke down on them. As such, make sure you only pick up quality gear when purchasing your next diving device (mask or snorkel)!