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Diving Mask: A Beginner’s Guide

Diving Mask: A Beginner’s Guide

Diving mask is one of the essential equipment that you’ll be needing when you start this activity, either you do scuba diving or free diving.

What is a diving mask used for?

It is clear that diving masks are used widely to have a better and clear view when you are underneath the water. In addition to this, it also provide protection that encloses your nose and equalizes the pressure when you go deeper in the water. With these things done by the use of diving masks, you’ll be able to enjoy and give you more leisure time to see the beauty of marine life.

The main component of the diving masks is that the space between the eyes and the glass will give an air space that will help the eyes to focus close to normal. Without it, your eyes will have a direct contact with water, let alone salt water, that will hurt your eyes. And it will be impossible to focus on the light as your retina will be refracted from different angles.

Also diving masks is designed to work for people with weak eyesight or impaired vision. The can also have corrective lenses or contact lenses inside.

How do I choose a diving mask?

There are two types of diving masks you have to consider in choosing, it is as follows :

Full Face Mask

This type of mask covers the eyes, nose and mouth that is used as a part of a breathing apparatus or seals the whole of the diver’s face from the water and contains a mouthpiece, a demand valve for constant flow gas supply that provides the diver with breathing gas.

The use of the full face mask is not only for underwater vision but also a provision of breathing gas and sometimes communications for underwater divers.

Half Face Mask

This type of mask covers the eyes and nose. Most of the time it is used for snorkeling.

Here are things to consider in choosing the right diving mask:

Lens

Tempered glass or lens is recommended for diving masks. With a tempered glass, it will be safer when the actual glass shatters as it collapse into tiny, blunt pieces of glass rather than sharp shards. Don’t buy a mask that uses materials such as polycarbonate lenses and the likes.

Volume

Mask volume refers to the amount of air space inside the mask. There are 2 types of volume in diving masks which are low volume and high volume masks. A low-volume usually means any mask that sits close to the face (sometimes called low-profile instead). For a free or breath hold diver, the low volume mask allows you to dive deeper, given everything else remains unchanged. The low volume mask is best for deep free diving. Although high volume mask will give you more space for vision, it will be harder to clear and equalize compared to low volume masks.

Design and Materials

The skirt of the masks is usually made of rubber or silicone. But for those with skin allergies, you can choose materials made with hypoallergenic silicone-based skirts. There is also an option to choose between a frameless masks or traditional framed masks. Frameless is becoming popular nowadays but some people find it difficult and requires a lot of clearing. So a traditional one is still preferable. You also have to consider the 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.

How much does a dive mask cost?

It completely depends on the brand and the specifications or features. A basic type of mask with good quality can go for around $45. But if you’re looking for a better or let us say best quality type of mask, prices can range from $150 or even more.

Conclusion

Underwater diving is one of the most adventurous activities you can do to interact with the marine environment. Either you make this as a leisure activity or professionally, having a good type of diving mask is a must. Considering a quality type of mask will be ideal as this will also give you comfort and enjoyment while you’re underwater. Good thing you’re able to read this article that will help you a lot with this. Now, you can buy your own diving masks and start diving!

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