Mask Strap in or out of hood?

[bikefox]

I have seen some divers wear their mask straps outside of their hood and some inside. I know keeping it inside would help elimate the possibility of losing the mask at depth, but what are the disadvantages? What are your opinions on which way is best?

 

[Jafo123]

Mask strap on the outside of the hood. I can't imagine trying to put my hood on over a mask and I have never seen any one try it that way either.

 

[cyklon_300]

Keeps the mask secure and if you overheat you can flip the hood back. Less likely the have the mask not seal properly due to interference with the hood.

Also eliminates having to readjust the strap length for hood/no hood.

 

[Don Burke]

I wear the strap outside unless there is a particular reason to wear it inside.

Outside makes for a warmer dive. Inside reduces problems with losing the mask and makes it harder for critters to grab my mask strap, not a minor issue in an aquarium.

Some will say that inside reduces entanglement problems. I do not wriggle that far into things to give that a proper test.

 

[Splitlip]

I go outside with the strap over my beanie.
I like to be able to take the mask off at depth if I need to clean it.
Another thought I have, but can't speak from experience: if your strap is under a hood and your mask get's knocked (kicked?) cattywhompus (sp?) would it be more difficult to fix if it is under the hood? Under the hood though would at least keep it on your head.

 

[cloudboy55]

Inside the hood makes possible to remove the hood or put it on during the dive.

 

[Li'l38]

I have seen some divers wear their mask straps outside of their hood and some inside. I know keeping it inside would help elimate the possibility of losing the mask at depth, but what are the disadvantages? What are your opinions on which way is best?

I don't think I've ever seen anyone wear it on the inside. But it sounds like there may be advantages to it. (Or at least certain dive conditions that may warrant it.) I'd be willing to try it.....as long as I can still get my mask on my forehead!

 

[bikefox]

I don't think I've ever seen anyone wear it on the inside. But it sounds like there may be advantages to it. (Or at least certain dive conditions that may warrant it.) I'd be willing to try it.....as long as I can still get my mask on my forehead!

I hadn't either until I saw a couple of guys do it on a charter I was on. Then last night I was reading an article on diving the Andrea Doria and the writer talks about the captain insisting on divers wearing their hoods over the mask straps. It brought up some questions for me!!

 

[spectrum]

Outside is far and away the most common and best suited to common cold water diving since the strap will usually break the face seal of your hood.

The above posts highlight some circumstances where you may want the strap under the hood which is also fine. It's all part of your adaptaion to your diving.

Pete

 

[rascal1933]

Mmmmmmmmm.........

Great advantages and dis-advantages to mask both inside and outside the Hood.

Good convesation starter~question bikefox.....

Let the debate continue!

Cheers!