Your dive mask is one of the most essential items of gear and one which can drastically affect your comfort level underwater. If you are thinking about buying your own mask, you have some decisions to make. First and foremost, it will help if you try on a few different styles to compare them and see which you like most. Once you become familiar with the components of a mask, take these questions into consideration. Some of the answers are obvious, and others are personal preferences.
That’s why we’ve created this list of comparisons to help guide you through buying your first mask for scuba diving.
1. Buy vs. Rent
It is recommended that divers buy their own masks since a mask needs to fit your specific face and facial contours. Renting a mask however, is a useful option if you forget your mask or don’t have room to travel with one.
2. Scuba Masks vs. Snorkel/Swim Masks
In order for a mask to be suitable for diving, there are a few requirements. First, it needs to have strong tempered glass that can withstand the pressures of diving. Second, because the airspace in a diver’s mask will need to equalize upon descent, a mask for scuba divers needs to have a silicone skirt that encloses the nose.
3. Fit and Comfort vs. Color
The winner of this comparison is always fit and comfort. The skirt of the mask should wrap around your eye area without any gaps. Find the mask that fits you best, and then pick your color from there. To make sure you have a properly fitting mask speak to your Dive Shop representative about different techniques on finding the perfect fit. Here is one method used:
4. Transparent vs. Colored Silicon
This decision depends on your personal preference. A clear silicone skirt will allow for more light. A clear mask skirt is a popular option for beginners who like an open feeling and more peripheral vision. Opaque dark silicon is often a choice for underwater photographers because it reduces glare.
5. Silicon Strap vs. Neoprene Strap
Most divers will find a neoprene mask strap more comfortable – especially those with long hair. If you don’t have hair or have problems with your strap slipping, silicon mask straps are the best option.
6. High vs. Low Volume
Mask volume refers to the amount of air space inside the mask. High-volume masks offer a feeling of openness and extend peripheral vision. However, they take a little more effort to clear. Low volume or low-profile masks sit closer to your face and can be quickly cleared of water.
7 Tips for Caring for Your Scuba Diving Mask:
- Scrub the interior lens of your dive mask after purchasing it with toothpaste or a non-abrasive cleaner to prevent unwanted fogging.
- Over-tightening a mask will cause mask leakage.
- Bugs eat silicone, make sure to store your mask in a plastic mask box.
- If your mask continues to fog, use a gentle liquid soap on the inside of the lenses and rinse prior to each dive.
- Consider prescription lenses or optical inserts if you normally wear prescription glasses.
- Rinse your mask thoroughly with fresh water after each use. Keep out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
- Avoid scratching your dive mask by never placing it lens-side down.
Now that you have compared these different options, you’re ready to buy a mask that best suits your needs.
Visit your PADI Dive Center or Resort to look at masks: Dive Shop Locator.
