I just bought the DataMask and it's fantastic. Has anyone figured out a simple way to ensure you don't lose it in 1000 feet of water? Seems like a safety line to your BC or a retractor might work. Any recommendations? I'd hate to tell my wife my new mask is at the bottom of the ocean ( I told her it cost over $100 ... Which is true, just didn't tell her how much over $100!!)
Appreciate any ideas.
Wayne
Well, I was going to troll for "You're gonna die!" reactions eventually,
but this seems like a good segue to get 'er done ...
Caveat: this isn't DataMask per se.
I have a new XS-Scuba guage-reader mask. One local dive on it so far.
It seems to solve my guage-reading problems, and I'd really like not
to lose it, although it's not that expensive, really. More of being dependent
on it during a dive.
Having had a few past incidents of getting a mask knocked off, and also
tending to MOF occasionally, I have for some time considered how to
put a mask on a leash. I decided to act on the thought.
I have a design I'm taking on a dive trip next week to see if it's viable.
Basicley, a 1/8 bungee necklace that goes over my head with just a little
stretch, fairly loose around my neck, but very secure. Attached to the
necklace by a knotted loop is another piece of 1/8 bungee. That has a
loop at the other end. That gets attached to a slot in the mask that I
think is intended for an XS-Scuba aftermarket "X-Strap". I don't know
if the Datamask has a similar leash attach point, but if it doesn't,
I'm sure some sort of eye could be attached.
The attachment to the mask is independent of the mask strap, and the
leash is removable without tools by pushing the necklace back through
the mask-attach bungee loop. I did this on the right side to keep it clear
of any interaction with my pocket snorkel should I ever have to deploy that,
and because I think it interacts better with the long hose loop when
installed on the right.
The vertical bungee is just long enough to remove the mask without stretching
the bungee much. For me, from centerline of mask strap to neck bungee attach
point is 9.5". Not a lot of free bight when the mask is in use to entangle on,
but clearly that's the biggest concern. I'm counting on the long-hose primary
loop to keep the vertical bungee fairly snug and away from entanglement.
Which raises a procedural concern that will require discipline in gearing up -
I must always have the mask leash
inside the long hose.
I had thought about a leash to the BC shoulder, but that seems like it
has a longer leash with more entanglement risk, and more pieces to fail
and futz with. If the mask is going to be on a leash, short of attaching
a hoop earing (not my style :14
I don't know how it's any shorter.
I emphasise that this is still an experiment, built but not yet dived with.
Planned for next week, we'll see. But it's the kind of thing I'd like to see
discussed. I'm sure I will get told that I'm gonna die, but maybe that's
accurate advice. Why? And are there any refinements to this I haven't
thought of?
It can get pretty touchy-feely out there.
