Questions about full face mask

[kat.hayes]

From what I've read with regards to a full face mask, they don't fog, they don't flood, you can talk with someone else if a communication device is installed, it is easier on your jaw since there is no regulator in your mouth.

1. How do you equalize?
2. Do you still need to descend slowly?
3. What are the drawbacks to using a full face mask besides the extra cost?

Thanks.

 

[HowardE]

1. They either have a nose block (device to push against your nose) so you can clear, or a mechanical "pincher" to pinch your nose.
2. Yes
3. There is increased anatomical dead space, and therefore a higher chance of CO2 buildup within the mask. While a good fitting oral/nasal device inside the mask will mitigate that, there is still more CO2.

I'm sure a ton of people will ask you, "why do you want one?" - Keep in mind, that is off-topic and don't feel obligated to respond to that kind of stuff

 

[Thalassamania]

1. You can also wear a nose clip that is strong enough to blow against and equalize, but weak enough to let you forcefully exhale through your nose, though this may defeat some of the reasons that you might use a FFM for.

2. There is no need to descend any slower than you would with a regular setup, you can descend as fast as you can comfortably clear.

3. CO2, for sure. Also weight on the surface (we used to have a rope to suspend the Superlight whenever the diver had to sit on the surface); bulkiness in general, the need to practice "special" hat specific procedures for removing it in an emergency to name a few more.

 

[Herb-alaska]

From what I've read with regards to a full face mask, they don't fog, they don't flood, you can talk with someone else if a communication device is installed, it is easier on your jaw since there is no regulator in your mouth.

1. How do you equalize?
2. Do you still need to descend slowly?
3. What are the drawbacks to using a full face mask besides the extra cost?

Thanks.

1. You use a nose block that is adjust to block your nose off when you push up on the mask
2. No need to change your descent for this mask.
3. Draw backs
tendency to use more air because you have a larger area and more wasted air
Completely different to clear as FFM . you have no eyes and you have no air when you are clearing
If you should you loose your mask you lost your air also
If you have a to share air you must change the mask as well
FFM do still fog just not as much and as often. My normal mask when treated right is just as clear as when I am using a FFM


Plus is that it is warmer. But I would not use a FFm for Ice diving becasue if you have a free flow in a FFM mask you have not only the reg issue to deal with but then you also have no eyes as well.

In my opinion the only reason to you would want to use a FFM is in a contaminated environment or where you have to have comms. Comms are not necessary most of the times and after you ahve them you will find that you don't use them like you thought you would. In PS diving the one thing I hate is always having a tender talking to me. When I am working it is like check in Fine and if I have issues Ill let you know but other than that let me do my job.

 

[DM_cappie]

+1 for all that HoweardE said,
my experience is that they are very comfortable and easy to use, one thing I tend to hear as a draw back is the "myth" that they use more air. this however is false, with a properly fitted mask the air concumption is the sama as a conventional regulator, because air concumption is dependant on the diver not the mask.
on a side note I dont know which brand of full face you are looking at but Ocean Reef has some informative videos up on youtube that might be worth a look...OceanReefGroup - YouTube

 

[kat.hayes]

Thanks everyone. The mask will not be for me, it will be for a friend who is not certified, but wants to go out on a dive with me on an upcoming vacation with a dive master. She has dived before, never completed her certification and is not really interested in doing so. She wants to be able to just occasionally go out on dives during a vacation. She is uncomfortable with the idea of her mask flooding and that is the primary reason she never finished getting certified, so I thought that this might be a possible solution?

 

[Thalassamania]

A FFM is NOT a crutch for a diver who lacks the basic skills. FFMs are ADVANCED tools/toys that present special and significant problems and hazards.

 

[HowardE]

A FFM is NOT a crutch for a diver who lacks the basic skills. FFMs are ADVANCED tools/toys that present special and significant problems and hazards.

Worth repeating.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk 2

 

[al248005]

I agree with what the past few posts have said....FFM is not a crutch for inexperience. It could even make the problem bigger. When I used one in the pool for the first time...clausterphobia set in. It's a good bit different from diving with a traditional mask.

Inexperienced diver + clausterphobia at depth= not where I would want to be.

 

[aceupmysleeve777]

I'm with everyone else on this. I would never put a FFM on anybody that is not comfortable already diving. If they are at all clausterphobic the mask will make the uncomfortableness that had diving regular scuba gear x10. Also when you do get water in your mask unlike with a standard setup where you just clear your mask and breath from your regulator, with a FFM the water is also around your mouth. I really enjoyed diving the FFM i was able to use, but would NEVER recommend it to someone already having problems.