Spare Mask For Rec Divers in the Pudding

[Rick Inman]

Tuesday, my buddy broke his mask strap during the dive while clearing his mask. He handed the broken mask to me, I took my spare out of my pocket, handed it to him and put his back into the pocket. He put the spare mask on, cleared it, and we continued the dive. We were on a wall and didn't change depth by more than a foot. We had never practiced this, it didn't take even a minute, and it went without a hitch.

Most recreational divers don't carry a spare mask. Sure, if I hadn't had the spare mask we could have just called the dive, and my buddy could have just held his mask to his face without the strap. But it sure was nice to just hand him the spare and continue the dive.

Why do so few recreational divers carry a spare mask? Why don't recreational agencies teach this basic redundancy? We weren't in a cave or penetrating a wreck. It wasn't a deco dive. We were in 35' of water, and I was sure glad I carried the spare mask.

For me the proof was in the pudding.

 

[H2Andy]

very nice, rick

obviously two skilled divers dealing with a routine problem

one of the problems for divers and carrying spare anything is storage. for those
who wear dry suits with a pocket, this is less of a problem.

there are pockets that you can glue to wetsuits which are great. i'd
reccomend that everyone get one of these and put a mask in there.

you never know when you'll need it

 

[Jcsgt]

What's the best way to carry the spare?

 

[Rick Inman]

What's the best way to carry the spare?

I keep mine in a pocket double-ended to a bungee loop, like in this (not me) picture:

LINK

 

[H2Andy]

i do that too with my spool and cave marker stack (cookies and arrows)

i put the mask in first (not clipped) then put the spool and marker stack on top

 

[Jcsgt]

I keep mine in a pocket double-ended to a bungee loop, like in this (not me) picture:

LINK

That's a great idea, I would hate to end a dive or have to sit out further dives on the boat due to loss of mask.

I'm a wetsuit diver (not drysuit, don't dive this side of the USA, yet), without pockets. Would you suggest getting one of those pockets you can add to a wetsuit or those X-shorts?

 

[Rick Inman]

Would you suggest getting one of those pockets you can add to a wetsuit or those X-shorts?

Actually, if I lived in Eugene OR, I'd get a drysuit.

Seriously, either one will work. I glued pockets on my wetsuit for vacation diving, but I've seen the X-shorts and they look nice.

 

[TSandM]

JCsgt, I LOVE my X-shorts. They're comfortable, easy to put on and take off, stay put, and have huge capacious pockets. An excellent solution to the wetsuit pocket issue, IMHO.

You know, Rick, I own a spare mask. When I get the new dry suit with two pockets, I think I'll start carrying it. The one pocket I have now is overpopulated with spool, SMB, shears and camera.

 

[H2Andy]

have you thought about buying one of those pockets that you glue to the wetsuit?

two pockets is really nice to have

 

[gcbryan]

I don't think anyone needs to teach it but I think diver's do need to think about what would work for them. I have a drysuit with two pockets, have an extra mask, so I always carry it. I carry a slate in the other pocket.

If I'm on a boat or somewhere that I would like to use a bag/spool I carry that in one pocket and more the mask to the same pocket as the slate.