My Flooding Mask(s)

[Etheostoma]

My mask always floods. Within 10 seconds there is a small amount of water in there and I am unable to see the things I need to see, and within a minute or two its about 1/4- 1/2 full. I thought this was because I had a 15 dollar mask so I went and bought a 70 dollar mask. I tried on every mask in the store, about 30 of them, and the one I ended up with was the one that seemed to fit the best. The store owner who has dove all his life told me it fit fine. I found out that this one floods faster and worse than the last. I even shaved my mustache off thinking that may be it and that's actually made it worse. So I'm starting to think that I have unusually high cheek bones or something, and most or all masks will not fit my face. I just got some Trident mask seal that I ordered in the mail today so I will try that tomorrow and see how it goes but has anyone ever had this problem before? Any thoughts on mask brands I might try? I really don't want to have to paint my face with vaseline everyday.

Thanks

 

[David Wilson]

I prefer rubber-skirted masks as they are the kind I began snorkelling with back in the 1960s when silicone-skirted masks were relatively expensive items intended for divers with allergies. I've never seen any reason to change from my original preference. I've read a message recently on a Scubaboard thread suggesting that a rubber-skirted mask may seal better against the face than a silicone one. There are still quite a lot of rubber-skirted masks in production, but if you are considering taking that route you may have to order one online with an option to return it if it doesn't fit. The few times I've been forced to snorkel with a silicone-skirted mask I found that it leaked. Perhaps that was just bad luck. I've had my share of leaking masks over the years, but the few that didn't leak had a "double seal", with more skirt material to lie flat, and seal, against the face, thus excluding most if not all of the water. Other SB messages about mask fit emphasise the importance of adjusting the mask straps so that they're neither too tight nor too slack.

 

[DevonDiver]

Common reasons for mask flooding:

1. Hair trapped under mask (beard/fringe). This prevents a total seal being formed.

2. Over-tightening the mask strap. This distorts the mask seal causing leaking. Very common because tightening the mask more is a response to leaking mask.

3. Tension of facial muscles, causing 'valleys' or 'crinkles' in the face. This prevents a total seal being formed.

4. Distortion of upper lip area when using a regulator. This prevents a total seal being formed. When people try on a mask for fit in the shop, they rarely do so whilst also holding a regulator in their mouth.

5. Pinhole in the mask skirt. Caused by manufacturing error or damage.

6. Separation of mask skirt from frame. Caused by manufacturing error or damage.

7. Improper fit of mask. The skirt may not correctly fit the face. The simple test of sticking the mask on the face and breathing in through the nose, does not always ensure a correct fit when you are in the water.


Solutions....

1. Ensure hair is not under the mask skirt (beard or fringe).
2. Buy and utilize a velcro/neoprene mask strap - these tend to hold the mask in place better and prevent over-tightening.
3. Check the mask for leaks in a sink. Float it at water level and watch for water entry.
4. Have your dive buddy inspect the mask underwater - it is usually possible to easily ascertain the point of entry for flooding water.

 

[jwc3]

DevonDiver, good list, but I think you forgot one:

8. Exhaling through your nose with out realizing it. This will break the seal around the mask and let water leak in. (However, exhaling into your mask is also the way to clear water out of the mask, but only if you press the top of the mask to your face at the same time.)

Etheostoma, you might have probelm #8. One way to check for this is to put your mask on in the bathroom with a little bit of water in the mask. Look in the mirror and breathe normally. If you see bubbles coming out of your nose, you're exhaling through your nose, too.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Well, I would not buy a mask I haven't tried on, unless it's like the E-bay mask I bought for sentimental reasons. You need to fit the mask. To do that, put it on your face without a mask strap, and inhale through your nose. You should be able to keep the mask on your face with only that suction. If it comes off, you have a leak, simple as that. It shoud stay on your face for a full minute (actually, indefinately) without the strap with just a little suction effort. You need to try on your masks, and find one which fits well. If you do that, and it still leaks, then go through the 8 steps above.

SeaRat

 

[DevonDiver]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/jwc3.htmljwc3, I don't have any experience of this ever leading to a leaking mask. Every time a diver ascends from a dive the expanding air will vent from inside the mask...and this doesn't cause leaking??? We don't hold our masks (at the top) on ascent?

John C. Ratliff, as mentioned before...the simple 'fit test' of the mask does not take into account any distortion to the face caused from holding a regulator in the mouth. This does effect some divers.

 

[CheddarChick]

Etheostoma, I feel your pain, I am currently on mask 5 in 4 years....I wish we could get a custom fitted to my face mask...It would be worth the cost....

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Can I add number 9?

Looking at things by turning your head too much this may cause your face to "wrinkle" a bit and break the seal.

 

[DevonDiver]

Etheostoma, I feel your pain, I am currently on mask 5 in 4 years....I wish we could get a custom fitted to my face mask...It would be worth the cost....

Masks do tend to 'mold' to fit your face over time. You have to allow them to break in. Normally 20ish dives does the trick. If you don't have opportunity to dive that much, then use them also for snorkelling or to swim in the pool. Failing that...wear them around the house for an hour a day.

 

[Etheostoma]

The Trident mask seal did not work. I think that maybe over tightening might be an issue. I originally tightened it all the way because it was flooding and never experimented with all the ranges in between. I suppose I will try that next