Everything You Need To Know About Diving Masks
A diving mask is, arguably, the most important piece of equipment you’ll ever buy for freediving. We give you everything you need to know.
Freediving is meant to be performed unassisted by any sort of breathing apparatus. It is wonderful because you can begin doing it anytime, at any place that has water to dive into. However, many people agree that the dive is mostly pointless if you cant enjoy the underwater scenery. What is the point of freediving if you can’t see anything. That is why it is so crucial to select a diving mask that is right for you. In this article, we examine the features that today’s diving masks have to offer and everything you need to know in order to make the best selection for your own freediving experience.
What To Consider Before Buying A Diving Mask
When it comes to freediving equipment, it is important to select what is right for you. This means that the perfect diving mask may not necessarily be the same model that your fellow divers have recommended to you. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the diving mask that is best for you.
Fit – This is one of the most important things to consider when selecting a diving mask. A mask that doesn’t fit correctly and is, therefore, uncomfortable can result in prolonged pain while freediving. The discomfort that is caused by a diving mask that doesn’t fit correctly is amplified when you factor in the amount of underwater pressure that is exerted upon it. What begins as a diving mask that is slightly uncomfortable can develop into an excruciatingly painful piece of equipment as underwater pressure shoves it tight against your face.
Before you commit to a diving mask, be sure to actually test it against the contour of your face. This doesn’t mean that you just put it on your head and see if it fits. You really need to attempt to simulate the conditions that you will encounter underwater. You can do this by pressing the mask firmly against your face to simulate the underwater pressure you will experience while freediving.
Additionally, you don’t want to select a mask that fails to make a complete seal against your face. The most comfortable diving mask in the world will be useless if it leaks water. You can examine a diving mask by placing it on your face without securing the strap around your head. Inhale through your nose and suck the mask against your face. If you are unable to inhale oxygen through your nose and if the mask remains mounted on your face while you attempt to breathe in, this means that you have a tight seal that will prevent water from entering while you are diving. As you can imagine, different diving masks work differently across the spectrum of divers. Everyone’s face is different so you need to make sure the mask you select fits you appropriately.
Nose Cover – Depending on the route you decide to go with your dive mask, you can select a model with or without a nose cover. Many dive masks are constructed with
For more information about equalizing while freediving, check out our link HERE.
There are, however, benefits to selecting a diving mask without the nose cover. As you spend time beneath the water, warm air from your sinus cavities can exit your nose and fill the cavity of the diving mask via the nose cover. This, in turn, can create a “foggy windshield” effect on your mask, which can inhibit your ability to see through the glass. You and alleviate this risk by selecting a diving mask without a nose cover.
Additionally, diving masks that lack nose covers and only cover your eyes tend to have a smaller amount of space in them than the counterparts with nose covers. This means there is a smaller area that is covering your face which, in turn, equates to less overall pressure being exerted by the mask onto your face in comparison to the larger diving masks with nose covers. If you are someone who struggles the discomfort from diving masks while freediving, a mask without a nose cover might be a helpful solution.
NOTE: There is little difference between a diving mask without a nose cover and a goggle which only covers the diver’s eyes. You may often see a product advertised as a diving mask but then in the description, that same product is referred to as a goggle. The benefits of the product are the same, regardless of how it is referred to.
Viewing Area – This is something that a lot of people forget to consider when selecting a proper diving mask. Not every diving mask has the same viewing area and you need to be aware of what you are selecting before making your purchase. Some diving masks have a full 180-degree viewing area. This means that when you are wearing the mask, you can keep your head still and move your eyes from their farthest point left to their farthest point right and have a completely unencumbered field of vision. This is an important feature to have when freediving because it allows you to enjoy the full spectrum of the scenery around you. Additionally, with a greater field of vision
There are, however, many diving masks that have a more limited field of vision. Some masks have solid plastic along the edges and clear glass only on the front viewing part of the mask. This means that you can see everything that is straight ahead of you, but you will need to move your head left and right more frequently in order to observe your surroundings.
Snorkel Attachment – This is another option you will come across when you are shopping for a diving mask. Many diving masks come equipped with either a snorkel already attached or with the capability of attaching a snorkel later. This can be either beneficial or detrimental to your diving experience depending on your intentions. If you plan to spend time floating at the surface of the water and observing your surroundings from on high, then a snorkel may be a good investment. However, snorkels add drag and resistance as you dive, which means that the depths of your dives and the speed at which you swim will be compromised. If you plan on spending the majority of your time actually diving beneath the surface of the water, you might want to consider opting out of this feature.
Full Face Masks – These masks have grown in popularity in recent years. As the name implies, these masks cover your entire face as opposed to just your eyes and nose. They have a snorkel attached to them to allow for respiration at the surface of the water. The water seal of the mask runs along the outer edge that presses against your face. This design allows for a better barrier against water. Since your entire face is sheltered within the mask, the contraction of the muscles in your face won’t break the water seal of the mask which is sometimes the case with diving masks that only cover the eyes and nose. Many divers report water leakage in their eye masks whenever they smile or squint their eyes. This is often a sign of a poorly fitting mask but it can also be alleviated with the purchase of a full-face diving mask.
Low Volume Mask – Some diving masks advertise a low volume design. This means that the amount of space behind the lens and in front of your eyes is minimal by comparison to many other diving masks. The benefit of the low volume design is that the lesser amount of air within the mask translates to lesser pressure discrepancies while diving. Also, with the lens being situated closer to your face, you can usually expect to see a wider angle on your surroundings. This better field of vision commands a certain degree of popularity among freedivers.
Goggles – These still have a significant following among freedivers. They differ from diving masks in that they solely cover the eye sockets of a diver whereas a traditional diving mask actually covers at least the top half of the freediver’s face which may or may not include the diver’s nose. The benefit of goggles is that they cover the absolute minimum surface area of the freediver’s face. This means that in greater depths where increased amounts of underwater pressure are experiences, there is little direct pressure applied to the divers face in terms of the overall area. Also, since the air volume behind the lenses of the goggles and in front of the diver’s eyes is so minuscule, freedivers don’t feel the urge to equalize pressure within their goggles.
Recommendations
As we mentioned earlier, the perfect diving mask is something that you will have to try on for yourself. What might be a perfect fit for someone might actually fit horribly on someone else. Be sure you are checking your selection against the points we mentioned earlier. However, the following examples are just a few that will get you started on your journey to select the perfect diving mask.
Traditional Diving Mask – As you embark on your quest for the perfect diving mask, the vast majority of models will have a housing cover for your nose to protect against the unexpected influx of water. One of the finer models among this more traditional line of diving masks is the Cressi Liberty Duo Scuba/Snorkeling Mask (Amazon ASIN: B07B87V5H5 ). Cressi is a dominant name in the word of freediving and their diving masks are among the best. The soft silicone skirt is versatile enough to fit a wide range of face shapes. This mask is built for both comfort and durability and it offers a wide viewing range.
Low Volume Diving Mask – If you are going with a low volume diving mask, you need to select one of the best. You can’t go wrong with a
Full-face Diving Mask – The
Goggles – The Aqua Sphere Seal 2.0
As with any other freediving product, it is important to do your research. Proper fit is paramount when selecting a diving mask. An improper fit can lead to discomfort and water leakage. Both of which will compromise your freediving experience. Keep these tips in mind when selecting your diving mask and you will have a fantastic freediving experience.