Scuba Mask Defog

[meierdierck]

You gotta eat pepperoni the night before. Not only will it keep the fog off but it attracts fish!

my OW instructor was a crusty old school type, and he swore that drinking a regular coke, not diet, before you spit was the best solution, I think it actually helps, better than my usual coffee spit anyway,

 

[meierdierck]

I forgot to pack my defog once and none of the other divers had any. They all used spit which is what I ended up using also. It was the only time my mask ever fogged up on a dive. I guess my spit doesn't work, next time I'll try someone elses'.

I have found that once you start using defog, you have to scrub all of it off to use spit, I have never used defog, but a helpful DM put it in my mask once during a class, and it was 2 weeks before it stopped fogging up, scub it with a mild soap, or toothpaste and then spit will work for you, and I have never forgotten it at home..

 

[lolopueo]

Fog is actually caused by the difference of the surface temperature on the inside surface of the mask lens and the air in the lens. When the surface of the lens is colder than the air, the moisture in the air condenses on the lens and fogging occurs. Dirt does not cause fogging though may impede visibility.

 

[Docc]

My mustache makes my mask leak. A leaky mask is not a foggy mask. Problem solved.

 

[diverdoug1]

This thread has some funny posts, but on a serious note........ On a dive boat that has a rinse bucket for masks, I would suggest not using it (even if the water is changed frequently). This is a perfect vector for spreading pathogens (cold, flu, conjunctivitis). Just rinse your mask in the water you will be diving in.

 

[Buoyant1]

If you use a tinted mask it would be best to read any manufacturers warnings first. Manufacturers like Seavision specifically tell you not to clean the mask with an abrasive. Otherwise, I usually just clean the mask with toothpaste when I first get it to get any of the packing goop off and then just use baby shampoo. Spit doesn't seem to work for me.

yeah...SeaVision says to just use the defog that comes with the mask to clean it...do it like 3-4 times....After that I just use generic baby shampoo diluted....works great!

AND agreeign with the person that posted don't use a boats rinse bucket...I got a nasty chemical burn in my eye last year doing that...never again! I'll take a bottle of water to rinse my mask out from now on!!

 

[XTheOwl]

Hehe, very nice posts.

On a more nerdy note, I had thought that while the surface temperature difference between the mask glass and the air around your face is the primary reason for fog, dirt or impurities on the lens could serve as nucleation sites for water droplets to form and make it fog faster.

I think defogger (and any other surfactant such as dishsoap or shampoo) lowers the surface tension of the water and lets the water lay down into a thin film on the glass surface rather than the billions of tiny water droplets that comprise fog.

So I guess the trick is to find a non-stinging surfactant in your favorite flavor.

Not sure why spit works, although im guessing its a surface tension thing again.

 

[Belmont]

yeah...SeaVision says to just use the defog that comes with the mask to clean it...do it like 3-4 times....After that I just use generic baby shampoo diluted....works great!

AND agreeign with the person that posted don't use a boats rinse bucket...I got a nasty chemical burn in my eye last year doing that...never again! I'll take a bottle of water to rinse my mask out from now on!!

I also got a chemical burn from some dish washing liquid in the rinse bucket. Never will I use anything but baby shampoo or spit.

I carry a small eye drop bottle and I just apply a tiny bit on the lens and spread it with my finger. It's even better if you let it dry before a quick rinse with bottled water. Doing so your mask is coated with enough shampoo to last two dives, or one with many floods.

As far as dirt on the lens: it does not create fog but it serves a starting point for fog to start building on.

Many years ago when I was a student I drove a cab. When it rained after a long dry spell the windshield would be covered with a greasy film. To prevent wipers from spreading that foggy film and causing a very annoying glare from incoming traffic lights we would pour regular Coke on the glass. Could Coke be a good fog-proofer for masks?

 

[stairman]

Corona works but please dont drink and dive!

 

[jupitermermaid]

Yep....Corona helps bottom time, too. Hic