Masks with a Purge valve

[D Powell]

Are these a lot more comfortable at getting water out of your mask rather than lifting your head back and blowing out of your nose.

Thanks

 

[moneysavr]

I have one and like it,Years back some divers said they were a no-no, now they work good and valve can be replaced yearly or as needed, I have a mustache and this gives me a leak all the time even with some wax,grease,ect on it.
I like the purge mask!

 

[Lisa0825]

I used one on my second day of my certification dives, and I liked it MUCH better. I found it much easier to quickly get the water out, as opposed to a regular mask.

 

[devolution365]

I have a mask with a purge valve. It's nice when there's a moderate amount of water in the mask, I just tilt my head so the purge is at the lowest point and blow out of my nose. When the mask is flooded, however, the purge is too slow, and you have to clear it as you would any other mask. Once you get most of the water out, you can use the purge for the rest. Also, when you have just a little water in the mask, I find it's hard to get it out via the purge or regular mask clearing. I usually have a small amount of water in my mask -I've just gotten used to it. In fact, it's useful to clear a foggy mask -just look down and shake your head!

I'll continue to buy masks with purge valves and suggest it if you're planning on buying a new mask anyway. They aren't magic though, so if you already have a purge-less mask, I don't think it'd be worth replacing it just to gain a purge valve.

 

[rainmaker]

My primary mask has a purge; my back-up mask doesn't. For me, one is about as easy to clear as the other, but I feel the purge valve is one more thing that could go wrong (though I haven't had a bit of trouble with it so far).

 

[scuba_mike]

I like mine a lot and have been using it for four years. No lifting and possibly letting some water in. Simply look down slightly, hold your mask in place and breathe out through your nose.

There are several different styles and placement of the valve can vary, so try some out to see which you like best. Some are easier for equalizing than others.

Cheers

 

[kidspot]

I have one loaner mask with a purge valve, the problem is that due to the purge placement the area for your fingers to pinch your nose is greatly diminished, making it difficult to equalize your ears with that mask the traditional way - just something to keep in mind when you are shopping... Personally I don't really care if a mask has a purge or not - my current mask does not, but the one I'm looking at replacing it with does... 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of the other kind of case I think

Aloha, Tim

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

I have an Aqua Lung Pacifica purge mask, and love it. I guess I must have skinny fingers compared to most folks as I have no problems pinching my nose as needed while using it. I don't dive waters that require thick gloves for exposure protection though.

Often, after initial descent, I don't need to pinch my nose though - the cracking pressure of the purge valve itself is often enough for me to equalize just by breathing out my nose when at depth, and no mask skirt flapping when I do because the exhaled gas goes out the purge valve.

 

[devolution365]

...yeah. That might be a downside for purge valves. I tend to breathe out of my nose a lot, which causes my mask to fog up. Maybe if I had no purge, the feeling of pressure would remind me: "Don't do that!" :05:

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

I like the purge. The finger access thing is really important and there are some masks out there (even expensive ones) where the purge placement makes no sence. Some advice purchasing a mask: buy from a LDS with a good return policy-it usually takes a few tries to get it right