Thoughts on full face mask?

[MrRoo]

I have been thinking about going with a full face mask and wanted to know what experienced divers thought about it. What would you suggest? Is there one I can use with my current regulator stage 1/2? Are they comfortable? Anything you would like to throw in would be awesome, thanks!

Jamie

 

[rmediver2002]

There are a couple units on the market you could use your standard second stage with, you would be giving up alot.

It is an expensive investment but in my opinion well worth the expense for the enjoyment and comfort in all dive environments.

I am a big fan of the AGA mask, they have been around long enough you may have good luck finding a used one.

The Kirby Morgan M-48 is a nice comfortable mask also.

Look around on e-bay and see what is available, with so few makes available the quality of a unit is fairly easy to spot from photo's.

 

[MrRoo]

I did some searching and found a thread back in 2005 about FFMs that I read up on. I have came to the conclusion that I am going to get a FFM but also keep my reg setup for other types of dives. I am looking into the Poseidon and like you said above RMEDiver2002 the AGA.

 

[Lucy's Diver]

I dive AGAs and hats for work, but do plenty of warm water recreational diving.

Just not worth full face in my opinion for recreational dives, unless maybe you're really dead set on using coms, and I can't imagine using coms on warm water dives.
'Course my wife is my dive buddy for all those dives.......

 

[trtldvr]

I like the AGA in work settings as well and agree that it may not be worth it for recreational diving. Keep in mind OOA procedures are different. I have posted some of my views in another thread. http://scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=189237.

trtldvr
www.divealive.org

 

[SeeTheSeas]

I like the AGA for more demanding settings as well, but I also have a Scubapro FF mask that I use when I'm just being a lightweight about cool water (which is often). The scubapro is comfy and easy to use without too much of a learning curve. It's a bit less expensive than others as well if I remember.

 

[MrRoo]

Great responses thanks! I am positive that I am going to go FFM but I think I will have a instructor/DM show me the ropes about OOA and will stick a little mask in my BC pocket.

 

[Lucy's Diver]

Removal/replace/clearing procedures are also much more complex than with straight scuba (as well as rather painful) and its not something you can practice at depth without ruining the coms gear.

 

[DougK]

To Lucky's diver,

Could you explain what is different and esp. "painfull" about clearing, removing, etc. I would like to know more about this subject?

Also when folks say these are not cheep, what price range do these things start?

 

[Meng_Tze]

Puking under water becomes a different thing...