Steamy eyes or two bum masks?

[Justwander]

I have two different masks that are always fogging up on me.

1. both were in cold and warm water diving.
2. i've used 3 different types of toothpaste on both.
3. i've used more than 4 different types of mask defoggers on both.
4. i've spit and others have spit in both masks
5. both were in salt and fresh water
6. have used mask with and without hood, inside and outside of hood, and with or without snorkle attached.
7. i even tried a soft shower mit to loofa the surface of one mask

I'd like to be able to see for the majority of a dive and not have eyes burning from allowing salt water in my mask to clear while under water.

Please help with any advice at all.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

First try to focus on exhaling through your mouth.

I only use 500psi for a defog. Put it in, use it sparingly. Let it dry to a white opaque film. Without scrubbing with a finger, vigorously swish in water to rinse. If there is a little left, gently remove with a finger tip. I have found some masks just take a little time for all of the film to come out.

I have also found the 500psi mask scub works really well too.

I am in no way associated with the makers of 500psi.

TwoBit

 

[ScubaThor]

Do you wind up having to clear your mask often during a dive? What about any facial hair?
I find that I have issues when I don't shave (because I am too lazy) and water gets into my mask...the result is me having to clear my mask often...which leads to fogging. As long as I shave, the seal is tight and there are no issues at all....

 

[Firefyter]

First try to focus on exhaling through your mouth.

In most cases, this is the key. Most people exhale through their nose without realizing it. It may be so slight that you don't even think about it, but it will cause fogging.

 

[tedwhiteva]

In most cases, this is the key. Most people exhale through their nose without realizing it. It may be so slight that you don't even think about it, but it will cause fogging.

And the way you can confirm or eliminate this is to have someone else dive the mask - if it doesn't fog up on them, guess what???

 

[1_T_Submariner]

If you are using a purge valve mask it is very easy (as others have said) to exhale out of you nose.

You might also want to put you face in the water for a little bit (without the mask) to cool it off before descending.

 

[S. starfish]

My girlfriend had a similar problem with a mask that I bought her, no amount of tooth pasting would stop it from fogging up. The solution was to use a lighter to burn the film off, did it once, haven't had a problem since. Just be careful of the skirt.

I've never heard of, nor seen a mask fogging because somebody was breathing out of their nose.

 

[Firefyter]

I've never heard of, nor seen a mask fogging because somebody was breathing out of their nose.

With time and experience, you will.

 

[diver 85]

I have two different masks that are always fogging up on me.

1. both were in cold and warm water diving.
2. i've used 3 different types of toothpaste on both.
3. i've used more than 4 different types of mask defoggers on both.
4. i've spit and others have spit in both masks
5. both were in salt and fresh water
6. have used mask with and without hood, inside and outside of hood, and with or without snorkle attached.
7. i even tried a soft shower mit to loofa the surface of one mask

I'd like to be able to see for the majority of a dive and not have eyes burning from allowing salt water in my mask to clear while under water.

Please help with any advice at all.

Have had that same problem with a Tusa mask I bought for my daughter in '85.......NOTHING has ever helped.........sounds like you need to invest in yet another one......GEAUX TIGERS........

 

[Scubakevdm]

With time and experience, you will.

I agree with the other guy, nose breathing shouldn't fog it if it's defogged correctly. I think you were on the right track with the toothpaste though. You may want to use something a bit more aggressive, as long as the lens is uncoated glass, and not plastic. Soft scrub usually does the trick for me, but even soft scrub usually requires at least three good hard 5 minute or so scrubbing sessions.

You can test your success after each scrub by doing a Haugh test on the mask. This is what to do:

First, scrub the inside of the lens with softscrub and a finger or thumb. Press hard and scrub long... longer than you think you need to. Next, rinse out the mask, then hold it up to your mouth and say "Haaaaaaaaaaugh" all over the lens. Note any areas that still fog and throw another scrubbing on them, test and repeat as necessary.

It is very important to get all of the softscrub out of the mask. Check and rinse it carefully, especially where the skirt meets the lens, because bleach and abrasive is not a good combination for the old eye-ball.

Also, it doesn't hurt to hit the skirt a bit too, because the same oil that you just spent 15 minutes scrubbing from your lens is all over the skirt as well, and can find its way back onto the lens in a hurry. Avoid storing it anywhere confined and hot too.