A guide to Masks and Snorkels
Having your own mask and snorkel is neigh mandatory for a diver of any skill level, simply because how the mask fits, how tight it is, and what the kind of field of vision that it provides directly affects your underwater experience. Having a mask that constantly fogs up, digs into your skin, leaks, and gives you pounding headaches is a sure way to destroy the best paid dive plans. Investing in your own mask and snorkel also completely eliminates the “ick” factor involved when you realise that a colony of green algae has decided to call your particular rental mask or snorkel home.
Choosing a Mask
The most important factor in choosing a mask is the fit. The mask must fit the contours of your face just right, and the way to test it is to hold the mask to your face and take a light breath. If the mask stays on your face, the fit is good. But if it falls off or your have to inhale repeatedly to make it stay on, the fit is not good and you should choose another mask. If your face has red marks after taking the mask off, mask is too tight, and you should also move on to another mask.
Other factors to take into account when buying a mask are:
Silicone or latex rubber
Most masks these days are made from silicone rubber, which is hypoallergenic and will not cause allergic reactions, unlike latex rubber. Silicone rubber can either be clear or dyed, and a good way to judge the quality of your silicone is to look at how fast the clear rubber yellows. The faster it yellows, the better quality the mask.
Most masks these days are made from silicone rubber, which is hypoallergenic and will not cause allergic reactions, unlike latex rubber. Silicone rubber can either be clear or dyed, and a good way to judge the quality of your silicone is to look at how fast the clear rubber yellows. The faster it yellows, the better quality the mask.
Size of the nose pocket
When choosing a mask, it is also important to choose one with a nose pocket that isn’t too big or too small for your nose. If it is too small, the mask will be uncomfortable to wear, while if it is too big, mask clearing will become an exercise in frustration. Also, photographers might want to note that masks with clear nose pockets let in more light, giving you a slightly better view, while opaque nose pockets let in less light and helps in allowing you to focus on a subject.
When choosing a mask, it is also important to choose one with a nose pocket that isn’t too big or too small for your nose. If it is too small, the mask will be uncomfortable to wear, while if it is too big, mask clearing will become an exercise in frustration. Also, photographers might want to note that masks with clear nose pockets let in more light, giving you a slightly better view, while opaque nose pockets let in less light and helps in allowing you to focus on a subject.
Lens type
Lens types are improving all the time. Today, divers can choose from a range of lens types. Normal glass, tempered glass and tinted lenses are all available, and new models that incorporate bubble viewers along the sides of the mask to improve your field of vision, as well as masks that come with prescription lenses.
Strap type
Last but not least, scuba masks come in single strap or double strap, depending on the level of comfort that you desire. Double straps offer more stability and comfort, but are also more expensive.
51 Scuba recommends:
Aeropec Frameless Mask: $48
This all-round mask is a good compromise between durability and price. Modelled after ScubaPro’s Frameless Series, it is designed to fit most Asian faces.
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Choosing a Snorkel
Because snorkels are very cheap and the difference in prices are not very large, we recommend that you do not buy a snorkel unless it has the following features.
Because snorkels are very cheap and the difference in prices are not very large, we recommend that you do not buy a snorkel unless it has the following features.
- A splash guard - This nifty device prevents water from splashing into your snorkel while you are swimming.
- A flexible hose - Having a flexible hose lets you angle the mouthpiece towards your mouth even though your snorkel might not be set at a proper angle.
- A purge valve - This feature allows you to purge water that collects at the bottom of your snorkel by forcefully exhaling.
51 Scuba Recommends:
Recommended Snorkel: $33 Gull leila stable - splash guard, flexi, purge valve
Check out our Guide to BCDs as well!
[...] out our Guide to Masks and Snorkels as [...]