Selecting a mask

[pinklady]

I am in the middle of my PADI OW course and need to get the basic equipment. I've been told two different ways to select a mask. First - hold it to your face and inhale, if it stays then it's a fit. Second - tilt your head back then lay the mask on your face check to see if the secondary silcone bead seals to your face then inhale, if the bead seals on three points it's a fit. There are a ton of options out there and I want to make a wise decision when I purchase my gear. Any advice is welcome. Thank you.

Angela

 

[ShakaZulu]

Additional factors, low volume mask is easier to equalize, and black reduces glare from the lenses.........view is another thing.

http://www.scubadiving.com/article/0,7424,2-35-63-526,00.html

 

[mikswi]

At the risk of sounding critical, "I am in the middle of my PADI OW course and need to get the basic equipment." Why were you not required to purchase it before the class began?
Usually this is required to start. Its important to feel comfortable with your own equipt.

Or, are you doing all the classwork FIRST, then the water?

I hear so many good things about PADI, sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing when I went with SDI. But, THATS another thread or two.

ShakaZulu offers good advice. But in all reality, you will most likely get another mask affter your first year for 2 reasons. 1) Its good to have a spare 2) Its impossible to know what features are important to you without diving experience.

You also may want to consider a Purge mask if you have troubel clearing your mask.

Good luck -poke around, do a search by topic.Theres a TON of info on this topic.

 

[Kim]

At the risk of sounding critical, "I am in the middle of my PADI OW course and need to get the basic equipment." Why were you not required to purchase it before the class began?
Usually this is required to start. Its important to feel comfortable with your own equipt.

Or, are you doing all the classwork FIRST, then the water?

I hear so many good things about PADI, sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing when I went with SDI. But, THATS another thread or two.

ShakaZulu offers good advice. But in all reality, you will most likely get another mask affter your first year for 2 reasons. 1) Its good to have a spare 2) Its impossible to know what features are important to you without diving experience.

You also may want to consider a Purge mask if you have troubel clearing your mask.

Good luck -poke around, do a search by topic.Theres a TON of info on this topic.

I did all the way to Rescue with rental equipment!! I don't think there is any compulsion to have your own gear, although I do agree it's nicer. Unless they've changed the rules?

 

[mikswi]

I did all the way to Rescue with rental equipment!! I don't think there is any compulsion to have your own gear, although I do agree it's nicer. Unless they've changed the rules?

Not sure about everywhere else, and maybe I mis-spoke. I should have stated that I was relating only my experience. I could not imagine renting mask,snorkel-ect. Thats why its called "Personal Gear". In went to 2 LDS before I settled on one. (It was attitude that got me to sign up, not price) But they both required me to purchase basic gear for the class.

Looking back now, im glad I did. Have you ever used a rental mask at a resort and wondered WHY it wont stop flooding no matter how hard you yank on the straps? It's bad enough to wonder what kind of cleaning goes into a reg or snorkel when renting. BUT, that's me, I happened onto a greta LDS and was afforded the opportunity to purchase gear at reasonable prices.

But, i'm off topic here.

If you can rent basic gear and your comfortable with that, drive on. I would strongly suggest though that you consider getting your own gear in the future.

 

[pasley]

Black skirt mask may reduce glare, but some people find them tunnel like. Here is somthing new for the mix, try on the mask with a regualtor in your mouth, it does change the landscape. The mask needs to seal all the way around, not just in three plaxes while leaking at 50 others.

 

[mikswi]

pasley, terrific suggestion! Unfortunatly, I neglected to point that out. I had/have my son on my lap n typing with 1 finger. he's 2 n wont sleep tonight.

Actually, I wish my wife did what u suggested, would have saved me some $$ a while ago. But, its all good. Now she's got a spare.

 

[Kim]

Maybe I've been lucky with rentals. In Malaysia I did several courses over a three week period. Basically they gave me all the stuff on day 1 and no-one else used it all the time I was there. I got to try several masks to get a good fit so that wasn't a problem. After I left Tioman I stopped in Singapore and bought everything. By then I had a fairly good idea of what I needed plus I had the instructors recommendations for what to buy - TranspacII/Travel wings, Apeks regs etc.
I was also taught to select a mask using the first method that Angela describes - hold it up to your face, inhale, if it stays it's a fit! It worked for me. At the moment I have a Mares Lyrica, but I've just ordered a Ocean Master Z4 with prescription lenses.
If the mask fits then I think that the rest is pretty much personal preference - like how much field of vision you have - do you want goggle single lenses style or a one piece - side windows etc. ShakaZulu mentions a couple of good points - the thing about the purge valve might also be a good point. My new Z4 has one - but I've never used a mask with a purge before so can't really comment yet. I do know that if you get one with a purge you have to freshwater rinse it especially well after every dive or the valve will gunge up and start leaking. Clearing hands free does sound nice though - we'll see.......

 

[diver_paula]

I did all the way to Rescue with rental equipment!! I don't think there is any compulsion to have your own gear, although I do agree it's nicer. Unless they've changed the rules?

Similar situation here. I used my sister's gear through checkouts. & it was really nice as she has a prescription mask I was able to use during the class.

I personally like clear plastic masks as they let more light in.

Paula

 

[louisianadiver]

Hello Angela. There is only one real concern when buying a mask, and that is to find the mask that fits you perfectly. To test in a store, press the mask on your face and stop breathing. A mask with a good fit will stay securely on your face without your having to inhale to keep it there. Try the cheap ones first. The mask that fits you best is the one you should buy. Your next purchase should be a wide neoprene strap (Slap Strap is the trademarked name by Innovative Scuba Concepts, but there are cheaper knock-offs) to replace the traditional rubber band straps that still come with masks. The neoprene strap is much more comfortable, easier to adjust, and won't pull your hair. -Clay