How to Choose a Diving Mask
Why Do You Need a Diving Mask?
The diving mask is an essential piece of equipment when it comes to any type of diving, regardless of whether you are an expert or a novice. The scuba diving mask gives you clear vision, keeping your eyes dry throughout your dive in the salty water of the sea. You cannot dive without a diving mask as marine water gives a burning sensation to your eyes, making it impossible to keep them open underwater. Even in freshwater, it’s impossible to see around without a diving mask when it gets murky. Therefore, you always need to pick a scuba diving mask of the right fit to enjoy a good dive. Diving masks can either be bought or rented from reputed dive shops upon your requirement. However, choosing one for you for the first time can be stressful if you don’t have enough knowledge about diving masks. Read on to learn how to choose the best diving mask for you.
Pro Tips to Choose the Right Diving Mask
When choosing a scuba mask, it is crucial to choose a high-quality one to enjoy a safe dive. Snorkel masks are not equivalent to dive masks, and you should never dive while wearing a snorkel mask. To withstand the challenges of scuba diving, dive masks are built of more robust materials and put through rigorous safety testing. Consider the type of diving you’ll be undertaking and your own diving priorities before you shop for your first dive mask. There are numerous accessible mask designs, and each offers particular benefits. Prioritizing your needs before you go shopping will make it much simpler to choose from the wide range of options. Here are the most important factors that you should consider when you walk into a dive shop to buy a scuba diving mask:
1. The Cost
The cost you have to allocate for a diving mask depends on its brand, type, and quality. In general, the price of a scuba diving mask can vary between $50-350. The full-face diving masks can be even more expensive and exceed $1000. The same goes for customized prescription masks also. However, if you are only a recreational diver and don’t spend most of your time diving, a middle-range diving mask that is good, yet not so expensive would be sufficient. If you find it difficult to invest in a brand new scuba mask, you can also try finding a second-hand one for a less price. Nevertheless, the price isn’t the only factor that defines the quality of a diving mask. Therefore, consider the recommendations of your dive shop staff and select what fits you the best.
2. The Fit
The most important factor to consider when buying a diving mask is its fit. A well-fitting mask will keep water from getting inside and allow for a comfortable dive without the need to continuously clear it. Scuba diving masks are available on the market in a wide range of shapes and sizes as people come in different shapes and sizes. When evaluating the fit, paying attention to the nose pocket or enclosure is crucial. While the right form prevents water from entering the mask behind the nose, a flexible nose pocket makes it simple for divers to pinch their nose and equalize. This is crucial for helping novice divers who could become anxious if they feel any water around their nostrils. To select the mask that fits you best, it’s necessary to experiment with a range of styles.
How to Ensure the Right Fit (Size)
You can choose the mask of your fit by following these steps,
1. Keep the mask pressed up against your face without fastening the strap behind your head. Allow the strap to dangle loosely and away from traffic. Ensure that no hair is touching the mask.
2. Inhale through your nose, hold your breath, and shake your head or gaze up and down to check if the mask is still in place. A properly fitted mask will remain on your face until you breathe out.
3. Try the mask once more, but this time, fasten the straps to check if it is snug or comfortable on your face. Pay close attention to any pressure or contact applied to the nose’s bridge. A properly fitted mask shouldn’t hurt your face.
4. In order to determine whether the mask is still comfortable, try wearing it for a few minutes.
Keep mask straps loose for the best comfort because a mask should fit your face underwater without strap pressure. Tightening the straps on a mask in an effort to make it fit better would only make the diver uncomfortable. Once the mask is sealed on, the water pressure will hold it against the face.
3. The Skirt Color
A mask skirt is a silicone piece that surrounds the lenses and seals to the face. They typically have varied advantages and are available in clear, black, or white. Clear mask skirts allow more light to enter the mask, however, black skirts are less reflective and don’t cause any distraction from the movements or light patterns in the environment. Although white masks are less common, they photograph nicely underwater. Black skirts have the little advantage of hiding dirt, which keeps them looking nicer for longer than transparent or white masks.
4. Number of Lenses
Scuba diving masks come in 3 types: single lenses, double lenses, and multiple lenses. They can be found either in frames or frameless.
(i) Single-Lense Mask
They offer a broad, unobstructed view and retain binocular vision, which helps in understanding the depth. They allow divers to effortlessly squeeze their noses for equalizing and are suitable for divers who prefer a broad vision. Versions with and without frames are both available.
(ii) Double-Lense Mask
They have a low volume and frequently feature tear-shaped lenses. These lenses offer a downward perspective that is excellent for seeing gear and a broad view over the main lens part. Low volume means that less air is required to equalize and clear the mask.
(iii) Multiple-Lense Mask
Along with the main lens, this mask also has smaller lenses on the sides. They offer excellent light entry and the widest field of view. Divers who experience claustrophobia will benefit from wearing these masks.
4. Mask Volume
As discussed above, using a smaller volume mask makes mask equalization and mask clearing easier. You can find a plethora of incredibly small, low-volume masks that have a wide-angle view on the market.
5. Snorkel Attachment
Snorkels are handy for extended surface swims or for snorkeling from a liveaboard when you spot anything interesting during a surface period, even though not all divers use them. It is important to verify whether the mask you select has a snorkel included or whether a snorkel can be easily attached.
6. Mask Straps
A neoprene mask strap with Velcro closures is worthwhile getting. These straps prevent hair tugging and tangles. These are comfortable and also easy to use.
Extra Tips for Divers
Not all divers are the same. Here are a few additional tips for divers who wear glasses or have a moustache.
- A two-lens mask that can be customized with prescription lenses may be preferred by divers who must wear corrective lenses. There are many companies that sell ready-made corrective lenses.
- When selecting a mask that fits well, having a moustache needn’t be a problem. Just like any other diver, divers with moustaches can choose a mask that fits well. To avoid the mask leaking during the dive, they might want to take additional precautions. A good mask seal can be achieved by shaving the area underneath the nose or applying silicone grease to the mask skirt where it contacts the moustache. Moustache divers like low-profile masks with supple silicone skirts. If money is not an issue, divers can even think about wearing a full-face mask, but this is not normally necessary.
Where to Buy a Top-Notch Diving Mask in Singapore?
Are you looking to buy a top-notch scuba diving mask? Being a pioneer in the industry, Scuba Warehouse Singapore offers you the best scuba masks in the Singaporean market. At Scuba Warehouse Singapore, you can choose from a wide variety of high-quality scuba masks manufactured by top scuba gear brands such as Apollo Bio-Metal Premium Mask, TUSA Zensee-Pro M1010S Mask, Apeks VX1 Mask, and Gull Anelia Mask.
Scuba Warehouse SG offers diving masks under a broad range of prices and you can pick what suits the best under your budget. In addition to the common diving masks, you can find scuba full face masks, prescription dive masks, face snorkel masks, and other diving mask accessories at Scuba Warehouse at affordable prices. If you find it difficult to make a choice, you can always seek assistance from expert staff members when selecting your mask. Visit Scuba Warehouse Singapore and get the best scuba diving gear for a safe and enjoyable dive today!
