husband's moustache a problem

[Seapray]

My husband tried to snorkel with me, but his moustache breaks the "seal" around the mask and it fills up with water. He refuses to cut his moustache, even a bit, it's right up to his nose... any ideas how to deal with this? someone suggested vseline, but it didn't work...
Thanks

 

[formula1mb@aol.com]

For me, if I just trim a small line between my nose and beard, makes a big difference----at least give the mask somewhere to seal. So he doesn't need to trim the whole beard but at least clear a small path beneath the nose. I've tried vaseline and silicone before too and didn't help much.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of other tips but the only thing that worked for me apart from shaving everything off.

 

[gypsyjim]

I have used a stick sunscreen to seal, and I know people who use Vaseline or other gel.

I have had a full beard and mustache all my adult life, and all my years of diving. The single most effective thing for me has been to shave a small (@3/8) inch strip directly beneath my nose, leaving the rest of my mustache as before. Shave that little space every morning, before I dive, and the mask seals w/o problem. forget to shave it in the AM, it leaks.

 

[Kilili]

If you want to keep the water out, you've got to shave a bit. If he complains about it leaking, tell him it's his own damn fault for being such a blockhead.

 

[parrothead600]

For me, if I just trim a small line between my nose and beard, makes a big difference----at least give the mask somewhere to seal. So he doesn't need to trim the whole beard but at least clear a small path beneath the nose. I've tried vaseline and silicone before too and didn't help much.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of other tips but the only thing that worked for me apart from shaving everything off.

I would have to agree with this. I have had similar issues, with similar results.

If your husband is dead set against shaving his mustashe, he may want to try a mask with a purge valve in it. That way all he needs to do is look down & exhale when his mask floods.

 

[Skookumchuck]

I have tried many masks over the past twenty years and nothing works like shaving under the nose. I agree with the others, get used to clearing the mask or break out the razor.

 

[cmburch]

It may be in part due to a poor fitting mask.

I go to a few dive shops and try on masks by gently pressing against my face. If it forms a suction it may fit. I try it out in a swimming pool first to make sure in case need to return it.

I trim and thin it out before I dive.

I used TUSA with purge.

I currently use SEADIVE TruVu Rayblocker. With and without purge.

 

[Walter]

He needs a mask that fits better (it will leak less), he needs to learn no mask breathing (he won't be uncomfortable with water in his mask), and he needs to learn to clear his mask (when water gets in, he can get it out).

I have had a full beard and mustache most of my life, I do not shave any part of my mustache and I never have. I've never put grease of any kind in my mustache (vaseline will destroy a silicone mask skirt). I've been diving since 1983. A leaky mask has never been a problem. Masks will leak, some more than others, a mustache makes them leak more. It's not a big deal.

From the title of the thread, I thought you were going to tell us it tickles.

 

[pecuda]

Shave or it will leak. I don't shave mine and just deal with the constant clearing. Water going down my nose doesn't ven bother me anymore!!!

 

[FritzCat66]

Full beard here (well, sometimes it's a goatee, but for diving purposes no diff). Reiterating and recapping from other posts here and my own experience:

1) Find a mask that otherwise fits extremely well. Put it on your face and inhale through your nose: even with the leak around the 'stache, you should be able to keep it on your face no-hands. It's going to leak a bit around the facial hair, all the more important to make darn sure it doesn't leak anywhere else.

2) Get used to constantly exhaling a bit of air through the nose to compensate for the leakage. Note that, because of this, you will need REALLY GOOD defog on your lenses! You will need it far more than most other divers. I tried several - baby shampoo, spit, etc. - and what works best for me is the Sea Gold gel. YMMV.

3) A product that seems gimmicky but isn't: Dive Right In Scuba's silicone mask sealant. You can even put some directly on your 'stache to help seal - although it will never completely stop leaking. Not too difficult to clean off. Do NOT use Vaseline or any other petroleum-based compound, as the oil in it will eat into the mask skirt over time.

4) Get used to water in your nose, because you can't fully stop it, you can only compensate using the above techniques.