Good idea TX...
I started diving an AGA back in the early 90's. It was the gray rubber positive pressure mask. I can't say my first impressions were all that good. Then I learned how to use one and what a difference that made. I now use the black silicone with a demand regulator. Much better choice for diving. The positive pressure wasn't really designed for diving in the first place, it was an SCBA feature. The mask is extremely well designed, comfortable, easy breathing and reliable. You can (provided you're trained) tear the regulator down to it's base components in a matter of a minute or so and reassemble it in a few more, with no tools. There are lots of reasons it's the standard of the industry for public safety and military diving. Now, off my soapbox...
There are three reasons (and sort of a fourth) to dive a full-face mask.
1) Environmental. Bad water, contaminated, cold, so on and so forth...
2) Physiological. Exposure to high PPO2, any time you may be concerned about the possibility of a diver going unconscious to TMJ, and even denture wearers that find it difficult to use a bite mouthpiece. I know of people that dive using a full-face mask that are epileptic or prone to seizures. Of course, the recommendation is that they don't dive, period, but...
3) Communications. With underwater communications, you need an air space to be able to talk clearly. A full-face mask is the best platform for underwater communications. Some FFM's are better than others. Those with an oral/nasal pocket rather than the nose and mouth separated give clearer communications. If you have either of the first two reasons to dive a FFM, then communications is a no-brainer add-on. Might as well, you have the capability. The safety factor that communications add to diving can't be overstated. This would be a topic in itself...
Then there is the sort of fourth reason, the neat and jee-whizzy factor. You know who you are... :mean:
Now, before we put everyone to sleep and having said all this, if you plan on getting and diving a full-face mask, seek out someone with experience with not just one brand of mask as TX had mentioned in an earlier post. Research the equipment; find out the differences, what makes one better than the other. Try them out before you spend your money and then learn how to use the equipment, if you can. Learn bailout and emergency procedures until it's second nature. Bet on it that when you need to bailout, you're gonna have a lot of tasks immediately at hand.
More to follow, Im sure
