Mask maintenance to avoid Mask fogging during dive?

[gcarter]

I used sea drops for a while - until one day I guess I used a bit too much and didn't rinse well enough. I got some water into my mask and into my eyes, and found out that sea drops WILL give you a chemical burn in your eyes. It wasn't too bad, but it also wasn't pleasant.

I use baby shampoo now. It works really well and will not harm your eyes.

 

[bwbake]

I used toothpaste when I first got my mask. Worked well, then I've tried mask drops and baby shampoo solutions and have found that spit works as well if not probably better than anything else for me. The secret for me is that I spit in my mask then rub and rinse it out but leave water in it sitting beside me while I gear up then right before I jump in I dump the water and put my mask on. No fogging when I do this and I've noticed my sister doing it now when we dive together.

 

[RonFrank]

I prep new masks with dish soap. I use Sea Gold before a dive. I put it on, let it dry and rinse it off before descending. I don't have any issues.

If you do its easy to fix as you are surrounded by water! Let a little water into the mask and defog it. Repeat as necessary, or leave some water in the mask. Then clean (prep) your mask again once topside. I think some of the fog issues are due to nose breathing.

 

[racerx_]

Leaving toothpaste on the lens overnight will do very little. You need to be using a toothpaste (not gel), and you need to put some elbow grease into it.

Yeah I couldnt comprehend it either.. But it was during my OW checkout dives and the instructor said to do it so I obeyed like a good little newbie :blinking:

 

[DivemasterDennis]

If you scrub a new mask lens as noted above, and you use a de-fog agent, whether store bought or man-made, and still have fogging issues, it is certain you are breathing too much through your nose. An occasional exhale into the mask to equalize your mask is desirable, and some fogging will occur, especially in cold water. That's why in you certification class you learned a partial flood and clearing. That's how to clear the fog from your mask. Leaving a small amount of water in the mask for "sloshing" is also effective. DivemasterDennis

 

[Bombay High]

Alternatively you could also take a lighter to the lens. I've never done this method before and can't offer any guidance however.

Make sure the lenses are glass before you take a lighter to it. I was on a dive boat in Phuket where a divemaster took a lighter to one of the clients newly purchased masks, only to find out it was polycarbonate

 

[spectrum]

Hello there I wanted to ask everyone what kind of maintenance do you guys do with your mask so that it wont fog during dives? I recently bought an aqua lung ventura mask about 2 weeks old now and I'm still having problem with it, because it fogs a lot. Please post some tips guys. Thank you in advance.

Clean, Test and Treat; Try this.

The big takeaway is to test it at home when you clean it. There is no reason at all to risk being compromised for several dives while you sort this out.

Pete

 

[p1p]

Baby Shampoo 1/2 water 1/2 shampoo. If you put it into a spray bottle, you can spray on your hands as well, and make those tight wet gloves slide right on.

A two for one savings!

(first prep is always a good abrasive toothpaste, no gels).

 

[Frosty]

I've read all the really good advice here but one point not mentioned is to get your mask and face down to the same temperature as the water.
So getting your face wet and your mask cooled down really helps In my opinion

 

[beaverdivers]

This problem is common. Use Sea Buff aggressively three to five times, then defog of your choice.