At what point would it be recommended to carry a back up mask?
- Thread starter Daniel M. Thomas
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Only once I've had an issue with my mask and I was in 5m of water so no big deal, (Dive number 1,731)
The only time I carry a back-up is when doing a planned deco dive.
The only time I carry a back-up is when doing a planned deco dive.
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hedonist222
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I didn't for a long time
Then I started to after being motivated by a fellow diver
Then it became a 'requirement' to diving solo.
It didn't affect me because I wear dive shorts and have plenty of real estate.
The most common scenario, which I've witnessed thrice now, is a diver getting their mask kicked off their face when crowding around something.
This is very unlikely to happen to me because I go in the opposite direction when I see a gaggle of divers.
The second scenario is most times unavoidable.
Hanging on the moor line in a current.
Divers above you will likely descend on you and knock your mask off.
In all and both and neither cases, my beauchat mask compacts into nothing in pocket.
Then I started to after being motivated by a fellow diver
Then it became a 'requirement' to diving solo.
It didn't affect me because I wear dive shorts and have plenty of real estate.
The most common scenario, which I've witnessed thrice now, is a diver getting their mask kicked off their face when crowding around something.
This is very unlikely to happen to me because I go in the opposite direction when I see a gaggle of divers.
The second scenario is most times unavoidable.
Hanging on the moor line in a current.
Divers above you will likely descend on you and knock your mask off.
In all and both and neither cases, my beauchat mask compacts into nothing in pocket.
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In your position I too would carry a spare. I haven't seen another diver underwater here in.. I think 6 years.
Did about half an hour without a mask once because I got tired of clearing the fog. Conditions were such I could easily see shapes (i.e., my buddy) and the bottom. Very "zen" feeling in retrospect. I wouldn't bother carrying one during the dive in a recreational setting, but I do carry an extra in the dive bag.
For me, the backup mask is a mandatory technical diver requirement and is a requirement for some agencies, like GUE, below the technical levels. I have lots of stuff in my drysuit pockets so carrying a backup mask doesn't bother me.
Below these levels, a backup mask is likely going to be used if you lose yours, or someone else does, when on the surface. It seems unlikely that anyone on a recreational dive will be calmly donating or receiving a mask unless they have been trained to near tech levels.
Something to consider in addition to, or instead of the backup mask, is replacing the silicone mask strap with a neoprene velcro "slap strap" to help reduce the chance that a failed strap will cause you problems above or below the surface. Many with longer hair find it much nicer than silicone straps, especially when not wearing a hood.
This is the kind whose velcro threads through the existing mask strap connections, and sticks to the surface of the pad. It's not the kind you can buy that puts a pad over the existing silicone strap, for obvious reasons.
My buddy has a slap strap that doesn't use velcro but plastic buckles, and the buckle closure got snagged and came off on a dive. I keep a few spare mask straps in my save-a-dive kit mostly for others.
Naturally, even a better strap isn't going to fix a mask that gets lost entirely...but the neoprene might help slow down the mask's descent so you can catch it in time.
Below these levels, a backup mask is likely going to be used if you lose yours, or someone else does, when on the surface. It seems unlikely that anyone on a recreational dive will be calmly donating or receiving a mask unless they have been trained to near tech levels.
Something to consider in addition to, or instead of the backup mask, is replacing the silicone mask strap with a neoprene velcro "slap strap" to help reduce the chance that a failed strap will cause you problems above or below the surface. Many with longer hair find it much nicer than silicone straps, especially when not wearing a hood.
This is the kind whose velcro threads through the existing mask strap connections, and sticks to the surface of the pad. It's not the kind you can buy that puts a pad over the existing silicone strap, for obvious reasons.
My buddy has a slap strap that doesn't use velcro but plastic buckles, and the buckle closure got snagged and came off on a dive. I keep a few spare mask straps in my save-a-dive kit mostly for others.
Naturally, even a better strap isn't going to fix a mask that gets lost entirely...but the neoprene might help slow down the mask's descent so you can catch it in time.
Gone for diving
Contributor
My mask strap is 3/16 shock cord. With a pursick knot. It's been great....
CuzzA
Wetwork for Hire
I know some people don't like audible alerts on their computers, because when they're with a herd there's always a few poor divers setting the thing off every other minute. But I elect to keep the audible alerts on with my computer. I rarely set them off with the exception of hitting "It's time to start thinking about going up" pressure alarm. If I lost my mask on a dive I'd be going up, if I were with a buddy I'd rely on him or her. If I were solo I'd rely on the audible alerts for ascent speed, and being a no stop dive where of course safety stops are optional, I'd try my best to do a pause and then head up.
lermontov
Contributor
if losing a mask will spoil your day - get a spare
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