The scuba mask is your window to the underwater world. Being land dwellers, our eyes are not designed to view things in the water. The masks provide an air barrier so our eyes can function the same as on the land. Having a comfortable mask is key to being able to enjoy our dives.
Components
- Frame
- Lens
- Skirt
- Retaining Strap
Frame
The frame provides structure for the masks. This is where the lenses and skirt are mounted.
Lens
The lens is made from tempered glass. Tempered glass is much stronger than plain glass, and if it does break the pieces will crumble instead of creating harmful sharp pieces.
If you have eye glasses, masks can be purchased with lenses to meet your prescription.
The lens arrangement can vary from single lens or double lens and some have side panels as well. My favorite mask is the Cressi Big Eyes. The lens on this mask are angled inward to the face towards the bottom. This allows for better range of vision when looking down towards your BCD and other gear.
Skirt
The masks made for scuba must cover our nose so we can equalize the pressure as we descend in the water.
Clear or opaque skirts allow more side light into the eye, much like sun glasses. These types of skirts are often favored by underwater photography enthusiasts.
The black skirts give a more tunnel like view, which many prefer as it cuts down on reflection.
It is important the mask has a double skirt. This is seal running on the inside of the outer seal, save for under the nose. It helps prevent leakage as you smile or laugh when underwater.
Retaining Strap
This is the rubber strap looping around the head from the skirt. Some find using a slap strap helps prevent the hair from getting tangled in the strap. The slap strap is a wider neoprene sleeve that fits on the strap.
Selection
The most important thing to consider when choosing your mask is the fit. Leak free and comfortable masks are essential for diving enjoyment. Everyone’s face is shaped different, thus fit is very personalized. It is very important that you try on your masks.
The best way to test a mask’s fit is the “suction” method. First, put the strap in front of the mask, it is not used when fitting the mask. Next place the mask on your face as normal, and suck in slightly with your nose. If the mask stays on your face, it is a fit. The easier it seals to your face, the better the fit.
Also be sure to check the comfort of the nose pocket. It is important for me that it be easy to seal off my nostrils with just a light pushing up the bottom of the skirt when equalizing my ears. I also prefer less air space in my masks, as I find it easier to clear any water which may leak in.
Prevent Fogging
Preventing the mask from fogging during the dive is also very important. Fogging is caused by moisture accumulating on the inside of the lens. My preference for preventing fog on the mask is the tried and true “spit” method. Right before the dive, spit a liberal amount of saliva on the inside of the lens and spread it around to fully coat the glass. Then dip in the water and put on your face. Some people have more culture than I, and prefer to use the anti fog solutions you can buy at the dive shops or “borrow” from your buddies.
I also like to clean the mask lens with toothpaste on occasion. This is very useful with new masks, as they will often times have a coating on the lens from the manufacturing process that prevents my usual fog prevention method from working. It also makes the mask smell good!
Storage and Cleaning
When traveling, I always keep my mask in a plastic box, usually the one it came in when I purchased it.
Watch your mask when in the dive shop or on the boat! I have lost several good masks when others have carelessly dropped their equipment on top of them. Now, I usually keep the mask in the boot of my fin or hanging on my neck during preparation and travel.