| How To Choose A Dive Mask | | | | exception to this would be if you are free diving - |
| In this article I will explain what is important, and what is | | | | where you only have one lung full of air. |
| not when choosing which dive mask to buy. I will cover | | | | Single vs Double Lens Dive Masks |
| mask material, single/double lens masks, prescriptive | | | | A double lensed dive mask comes with (obviously) |
| lens masks, purge valves, volume and straps. I will also | | | | two lenses, seperated by a plastic bit of frame, |
| explain why you might need a full face mask such as | | | | whereas a single lens mask doesn't have the plastic bit |
| the Poseidon Atmosphere. | | | | over your nose. The biggest disadvantage of getting a |
| Getting The Right Fit | | | | single lens mask is that you can't get prescriptive |
| The way to see if a mask fits you is to put it onto | | | | lenses for a single lens dive mask. |
| your face without the strap on, and inhale through your | | | | If this is not an issue for you then single lens dive |
| nose - if you feel a good seal then you have a good | | | | masks can offer a less claustrophobic feel. If you truly |
| fitting mask! | | | | want the best field of vision, then a dive mask with |
| Dive Mask Material/Skirt | | | | side windows is a great option - Apeks and Cressi |
| Almost all dive masks have some sort of plastic | | | | both make this type of mask and I can personally |
| frame, with a skirt that is either silicone or rubber - | | | | recommend the Cressi Penta Dive Mask. |
| silicone is MUCH the more common because it is | | | | If you DO require prescriptive lenses, most Tusa dive |
| softer and provides a better seal on your face. | | | | masks can take prescriptive lenses. |
| You generally have the option of a clear or black skirt; | | | | Dive Mask Straps |
| clear offers a better field of vision whereas black is | | | | Whilst this is a trivial part of the mask I can't emphasise |
| better for photographers because they don't get | | | | enough how much easier things will be if you get a |
| distracted by light coming in from the sides. Don't even | | | | slap strap for your dive mask - especially if you are a |
| think about getting a really cheap mask with a plastic | | | | girl or have long hair. |
| skirt, no matter how cheap they are. | | | | Full Face Dive Masks |
| Purge Valves & Volume | | | | A full face dive mask is one which has an integrated |
| A few dive masks offer a purge valve under the nose | | | | regulator, and covers your entire face - a lot of full |
| - the idea being if the valve is at the lowest point (it | | | | face dive masks have some form of communications |
| usually is) you only have to exhale through your nose | | | | system integrated. The reason that these dive masks |
| to get rid of any water that has leaked in. Personally I | | | | offer all of these features is they are designed for |
| consider this a waste of the �5 to �10 you will | | | | commercial and specialist use - TV divers will generally |
| spend for this - if your mask leaks *that* much, then | | | | use them, and commercial divers that dive in dirty or |
| the problem is that it doesn't fit properly.. or you have a | | | | very cold conditions. |
| huge moustache! | | | | When using a full face mask most divers will go |
| A lot of dive masks advertise being low volume, and | | | | through more air, and of course they are a lot harder |
| the lower the volume the easier it is to clear of water - | | | | to get on/off. Generally a full face dive mask is |
| whilst this is true I wouldn't pay more for a mask with | | | | inappropriate for most recreational scuba diving |
| marginally lower volume as you won't notice the | | | | How to choose a dive mask was written by Dave |
| difference, and your lung volume is *massive* | | | | Huscroft - a leading contributor to One Stop Dive - a |
| compared to any dive mask volume! The only | | | | leading website for scuba diving advice. |