full face mask
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rocketry
Contributor
Quite frankly, while Full face masks do have their advantages, it would not be a wise purchase for a new diver. There are many divers who have never even touched one! Full masks are typically used when the diver cannot touch the contaminated water, the diver cannot hold a mouthpiece in his/her mouth, or when doing extremely long dives to increase diver comfort. Aside from the added expense (mabye, mabye not), these face masks are typically used with underwater communication, and a new recreational diver would probably not need something this elaborate. Quite frankly, practicality aside, you'd probably look a little odd, donning a full face mask upon entering the quarry, but---to each his own! I would get very used to the regulator mouthpiece, just because that is the overwhelming standard for non-professional/commercial divers. I would go for it, though, if you want to do full face mask diving, Do it!
But, ultimately, as your main piece of gear---nahh. They are REALLY COOL, though.
(for your drooling pleasure)
And, dont forget, this requires a re-look at your gear failure/OOA training. What if the facemask malfunctions? Will you carry a second one? Will you have an octo? If you have an octo, now you need another mask. Can you do all of this competantly? With practice, probably, but why not get comfortable in the water first? Expand your training---then eventually move to the mask.
http://www.scubacenter.com/scubacenter_onlinestore/full_face_masks/Ocean_Reef_Neptune_Full_Face_Mask.htm
But, ultimately, as your main piece of gear---nahh. They are REALLY COOL, though.
(for your drooling pleasure)
And, dont forget, this requires a re-look at your gear failure/OOA training. What if the facemask malfunctions? Will you carry a second one? Will you have an octo? If you have an octo, now you need another mask. Can you do all of this competantly? With practice, probably, but why not get comfortable in the water first? Expand your training---then eventually move to the mask.
http://www.scubacenter.com/scubacenter_onlinestore/full_face_masks/Ocean_Reef_Neptune_Full_Face_Mask.htm
Damselfish
Contributor
Unless you have some special need for one, which seems unlikely at this point, I don't think a full face mask makes sense. These are pretty rare among recreational divers and have some extra challenges compared to using a regular mask for diving. They're used more by some commercial divers or public safety divers who need communications capability, or are diving in nasty stuff.
cummings66
Contributor
I dive a FFM during the Winter. Let me tell you this much, when the water temps are 36 degree's, an hour in that with a regular mask and reg will leave you frost bit. A FFM is so comfortable under those conditions that you can't describe it. Why dive dry and then get your face froze stiff?
Of course, IMO you're not diving dry and in freezing water so there's little need for a FFM. There is some training for them, but it's not that hard. It's sort of like when you start diving dry, a bit of training and practice and you're ready to get on with things.
So my reason isn't diving in yuck, it's comfort. Many of my buddies, in fact most of my buddies that dive in the dead of Winter when it's freezing out will dive a FFM in conjunction with their drysuit.
Of course, IMO you're not diving dry and in freezing water so there's little need for a FFM. There is some training for them, but it's not that hard. It's sort of like when you start diving dry, a bit of training and practice and you're ready to get on with things.
So my reason isn't diving in yuck, it's comfort. Many of my buddies, in fact most of my buddies that dive in the dead of Winter when it's freezing out will dive a FFM in conjunction with their drysuit.
cummings66
Contributor
Yes there is. You must be able to remove the mask and replace it with your spare and go to your backup air supply without issue. That's not as easy as it seems, try it in freezing water and you'll discover things are not fun. You must think it through and do what needs to be done, be ready for the shock because it's real.SNorman:
Putting one back on and getting it sealed with no air leaks can be fun too, in practice you'll usually replace the FFM when you're done so that you can continue diving dry, in real life you'll abort the dive and get out.
This is done in a pool to start with, then you can do it for real later on. There's going to be a lot of air bubbles in front of your face when you do this.
I enjoyed your comments about the ffm. My wife and i will be diving alot together and would this benifit us as far as the comms go. Also i am a firefighter and am used to the full face mask, when doing my pool dive i did have trouble taking my mask off and then putting it back on due to wanting to breath through my nose. Would this benifit me or not also going to try to get onto the rescue team in are area.
Whether you decide on the FFM or not -
Don't try to use the FFM as a crutch so you can breathe through your nose. Better to kick the habit right away. Do more masklesss stuff until you're comfortable. If something happens and the FFM is flooded or off you may try to nose breathe because you've conditioned yourself to - stop doing it now.
FFM look ereily similar to a SCBA mask but alot of FF don't like breathing the FFM. Equalization can be a problem for some. The bouyancy of the mask bothers others. The nose block bothers more. They do have a bit of a learning curve to them and require alot more practice of complex skills for doing things like clearing, air sharing, switches etc
Standard scuba is alot simplier and easier to keep proficiency high unless you practice alot. After your face is acclimated, 36F water isn't all that bad. A good fitting hood and mask leaves only your lips and a small area of cheek exposed.
Don't try to use the FFM as a crutch so you can breathe through your nose. Better to kick the habit right away. Do more masklesss stuff until you're comfortable. If something happens and the FFM is flooded or off you may try to nose breathe because you've conditioned yourself to - stop doing it now.
FFM look ereily similar to a SCBA mask but alot of FF don't like breathing the FFM. Equalization can be a problem for some. The bouyancy of the mask bothers others. The nose block bothers more. They do have a bit of a learning curve to them and require alot more practice of complex skills for doing things like clearing, air sharing, switches etc
Standard scuba is alot simplier and easier to keep proficiency high unless you practice alot. After your face is acclimated, 36F water isn't all that bad. A good fitting hood and mask leaves only your lips and a small area of cheek exposed.
I think it would be better to wait and get used to normal mask before moving to a full face mask. The only full face mask I would consider would be the aga, it is a professional quality mask. I sell them and if you are ever down this way would love to let you try one. Some people love them and some don't care for them, its very subjective.
Brent
Brent
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