Tips and Technics To Help You Find The Scuba Mask That's Right For You.

Lobster as seen through a scuba mask underwater

The scuba mask enables us to observe up close the many amazing and beautiful things the worlds oceans have to offer. From many types of coral to beautifully colored fish, a mask allows us to view life under the sea. Because a good mask is an important part of a diver's scuba gear, care should be taken in choosing the right mask.

Because everyone’s face is different, scuba masks come in many shapes and sizes. Divers can choose either a single or double pane style. The single pane is one continues pane. This is good if you do not want your vision impeded when you look side to side. The double pane offers a pane for each eye. Some divers like this style because it is much like wearing sunglasses.

The shape of the silicone skirt on the mask must provide a good seal and a comfortable fit. Nothing can ruin a dive quicker than a leaky or uncomfortable mask. To check for a good fit, simply hold the mask against your face without the strap. Then breathe in through your nose and remove your hand. The mask should remain on your face without help. Also, you should not feel any air coming in around the skirt.

Make sure your mask has a good strap. A strap should fit comfortable on the back of your head and be easy for you to adjust. Remember that the strap does not have to be too tight. A red line around your face from the seal of the skirt is a sure sign that the strap is too tight.

If you wear glasses, don't worry. Most dive shops offer mask with prescription lens for divers with minor vision problems. Some divers prefer to have lens made for their own personal prescription.

Green Moray seen underwater through a scuba mask

Maintaining Your Scuba Mask

You have found just the right scuba mask. What now? There are a few things we need to do to ensure our mask has a long life. You will notice an oily film on the lens. This is to protect the lens during shipment. If you do not clean the lens, it will always fog when you dive. The best way to clean the lens is by placing a small drop of toothpaste (paste not gel) in the lens. With your finger, rub the paste over the lens making sure you cover the entire surface of the lens. Do this on both sides. Rinse with clean water. It may take several times before the oil is completely gone.

Before we dive, we need to defog our mask. After spending lots of money on every defog solution known to man and spitting in my mask until my mouth felt as dry as the desert, I found the best defog solution was a cheap no tears baby shampoo. Place one or two small drops on each lens. With your fingers, work the solution around the inside of the lens. Rinse with fresh water. It works every time.

Here are some tips to make sure you have your scuba mask a long time.

1. Never lay your mask face down on any surface. It’s too easy for someone to step or sit on your mask or to scratch the lens. To protect your mask, keep it in a hard case when you are not using it or wear it around your neck if you are in between dives.

2. Always rinse your mask with clean, fresh water after every dive. This will help prevent any salt residue from building up. Always make sure your mask is completely dry before you store it.

3. Always store your mask in a hard case out of direct sunlight. This will keep the mask clean and prevent the lens from getting scratched. Direct sunlight will cause the silicone to degrade after a period of time.

4. From time to time repeat the toothpaste treatment.

A scuba mask opens our eyes to new and amazing world. It is important that it doesn’t leak; it is comfortable and is easy to use.

Dive smart. Dive safe.

Return from scuba mask to scuba diving equipment

footer for scuba mask page