How to fit a mask 101

I know from experience, it’s no fun diving with a mask that either constantly floods or fogs. No two faces are the same so it is important to get some help when searching for a mask. A few pointers i can give include; when you pick up a mask, notice there are 2 skirt seals – inner and outer. This seal has needs to completely seal around your face – especially your temples. When you hold the mask against your face, get someone to look to make sure the inner seal does actually seal against your face. Please note, you do not need to use the strap at this stage it is the water pressure that holds it against your face; only useful underwater.

Make sure you do not have any hair under the skirt and when you suck in through your nose there is minimal non-painful or no contact of the mask in-between your eyebrows. The mask should make gently contact with your face then only for a few seconds, then you can put the strap on to hold it in place.

My Cressi Mask

There are two colours in the skirt you can get  – black or clear. There are many positives and negatives associated with both; in the end it comes down to personal preference. For me, i do not like using a black mask if i have intros or OW students – it makes your view even more narrow as it blocks your side view and it makes your job to keep a hawks eye on your students that little bit harder. However, the black mask does hide any bacteria and mess you leave behind!

Once you find the correct fitting mask, you will need to scrub the inside of the lens before you use it. This is because there is a chemical used in the manufacturing process that leaves a film  on the lens that will cause it to fog. To get rid of it, the easiest way is to scrub the lens with two fingers using either toothpaste of Jif for about 10mins each lens. Rise the mask thoroughly with fresh water.

From there before each dive make sure you either spit (but it does create bacteria) or use a defog solution or baby shampoo to prevent fogging throughout the dive.

 

Enjoy exploring our wonderful underwater world!