Lessons Mask strap broke during a dive

[LI-er]

Why not spare fins?

The odds of a fin breaking during a dive or even an entire trip are so remote as to be beyond practical consideration. But a fin strap breaking? Happens often enough that it's worth keeping a spare strap in your save-a-dive kit. I know I do.

 

[Umuntu]

The odds of a fin breaking during a dive or even an entire trip are so remote as to be beyond practical consideration. But a fin strap breaking? Happens often enough that it's worth keeping a spare strap in your save-a-dive kit. I know I do.

I keep some 5mm or 6mm bungee cord in the dive box as a backup in the unlikely event the fin strap breaks. My fins use bungee straps, but it’s possible to attach bungees to almost any fin.

It’s also possible to use thinner bungee cord to make a mask strap. I replace my mask strap with elastic webbing.

 

[Nemrod]

Risk adverse people should do as they think best but please do not impose your (lack of) comfort issues on those who are not adverse. There is a balance in things and that line is not in the same place for everybody or for every dive or local. You do you, I will do me. In my case, 56 years of diving, I mostly have a good track record of coming back alive, true, tomorrow could be different, but odds are it will not be and I am okay with my odds.

Because of this very discussion, yesterday, I took my mask of in 60 feet and hooked it on my crotch strap with my camera tether line. I then stowed my camera and went to my safety stop, shot my DSMB and surfaced at the end of the dive and with no problem. The Shearwater makes it easy because it gives a tactile buzz at the beginning of safety stop and at the end when it is clear. Nice feature.

A mask can be kept on without a strap or broken strap.

 

[tarponchik]

A mask can be kept on without a strap or broken strap.

I guess, the assumption here is the mask is lost when the strap is broken.

I also suggest a trick. Suppose you've lost your mask in the deep and you have no spare. Coming up, all you'll need is to check your depth gage. Keep your face down, fold your left palm into a tube, press it to your face around your left eye and get some air bubbles into this "tube". Once filled with air, you'll be able to take a look at the gage.

 

[TrimixToo]

I guess, the assumption here is the mask is lost when the strap is broken.

I also suggest a trick. Suppose you've lost your mask in the deep and you have no spare. Coming up, all you'll need is to check your depth gage. Keep your face down, fold your left palm into a tube, press it to your face around your left eye and get some air bubbles into this "tube". Once filled with air, you'll be able to take a look at the gage.

I know how to do that. I've practiced it, and it worked when I was younger. However, it doesn't work for me any more, as I said in post #54. Moreover, even if I don't lose the mask, there's more workload in trying to manage deco stops and gas switches with one hand holding my mask on or trying to keep it sucked against my face. Add in an emergency, and depending on what it is, it could definitely raise my heart rate.

Like me, the OP is a solo diver. That by itself is enough reason for me to carry a spare. When I had to demonstrate the skill, I gave my mask to the instructor, took out the spare, put it on, and cleared it. He handed back the other one. I put it in my dry suit pocket. No drama. The whole exercise took less than 15 seconds.

Pick the risks you want to manage and disregard the others. But be thoughtful about the choices. This is a sport in which you only have those things you bring with you. Some of those are skills. Some are things. Some are knowledge about how you will manage your limitations.

But as the Chairman likes to say, you do you, and I'll do me.

 

[Nemrod]

I guess, the assumption here is the mask is lost when the strap is broken.

I also suggest a trick. Suppose you've lost your mask in the deep and you have no spare. Coming up, all you'll need is to check your depth gage. Keep your face down, fold your left palm into a tube, press it to your face around your left eye and get some air bubbles into this "tube". Once filled with air, you'll be able to take a look at the gage.

I do not think post #1 the mask was lost, just a what if it was. His strap broke but he retained his mask. If a strap breaks the mask does not vaporize, it is still there. Hold it on your face. If the skirt split it might still be useable enough to conclude the dive. Scubaboard can dream up all sorts of mayhem, I suppose the lens could break, it could get lost or wander off . If do not feel comfortable without a spare, by all means carry one. This post was not in the tech forum nor was it placed in the solo forum. Maybe the post was misplaced, like the mask .