Selecting a mask

[Sideband]

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.
Angela

Third - Repeat with a mouthpiece in your mouth. My first mask passed the first two tests in the store but when I got in the water with a reg. or snorkel I developed a leak from the change in the shape of my face.

Joe

edit
I see if I had read all of the posts that Melvin Pasley
already suggested that.. Oh well.

 

[Amy B]

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

And, if you're anything like me, it'll make the strap come sliding right up your head and make your mask try to float off...
Slides right off my hair!!
So I don't use one now. Only needed in the Red Sea anyway... UK diver, normally dive with a hood because it's normally only 14*C here so my mask getting caught in my hair isn't really a problem!!

 

[pinklady]

What I meant by "in the middle" of the course was that we are doing classroom first. I am getting my own basic gear. With all the info and gear involved I want do things right. There are so many options and in regards to the mask selection process I got the first recommendation from my instructor and the second from a dive shop. They seemed to be conflicting so, I came to you guys. Thank you for your replies! :yl2jump:

 

[Absolut]

Once you read through what everyone else suggests, check out the Cressi Big Eyes/Matrix range. Great field of view and very comfortable!

 

[narcT]

Chosing a mask is easy:

Oceanic Mini Shadow

 

[pipedope]

The three most important factors in selecting a mask;

fit
Fit
FIT

Be sure that the mask fits both with a regulator or snorkel in your mouth and without.

When you check for fit hold the mask up and gently, slowly move it into position and it should touch all the way around at the same time. If you hold the mask to your face but do not press you should feel the mask pull in if you inhale through your nose.
The other test is to not let air in or out your nose, press the mask lightly against your face then take your hand away the mask should stay on your face.

Try every mask in the shop.
Try every mask in at least one other shop.

Even try different model years of the same make and model mask if needed. I found that one year of the Cressi Big Eyes fit me great and another one would leak slightly.

Your mask is the ONE single most important piece of gear you will own. A mask that fits and doesn't leak makes diving a pleasure. A leaking mask is annoying at best.

 

[ianr33]

I second Louisianadivers suggestion of pushing the mask onto your face and seeing if it "sticks"there. Any mask will stay on your face if you inhale hard enough !
If the diveshop has a pool it is worth trying it out in the water for 20 minutes. I tried a mask once in a shop,seemed to fit just great,but when I tried it out in the pool the fit was such that it left a red pressure mark on the bridge of my nose that was really uncomfortable. Having a good LDS that is happy to let you play with half a dozen masks in a pool is the way to go