Pinay_Diver
Contributor
I keep my extra mask in my right-side pocket of my Dacor Elite BC =)
Who carries an extra mask with them?
- Thread starter jtrain01
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piikki
Contributor
Loneranger:
have you ever tried in 3 knot current (nice nostril flush) or, for example, when you do not have any reference and do a free water column slow ascent? very hard to monitor your gauges if you are blind as a bat (like i pretty much am without mask). I do not like putting my buddy in a position of guide dog if not absolutely needed.
Mark Vlahos
Contributor
There is only one emergency in diving, namely running out of breathing gas! Everything else is just an inconvenience. Sure not having a mask can make an ascent more difficult, but with a buddy even in rough conditions you can make it to the surface. We are talking about recreational dive profiles here, so there are no decompression stops to miss, and even a safety stop is only recommended not required.
As I said earlier in this thread, I carry a spare. For me the added security of knowing that the spare mask is available to me during the dive makes it worth it. By the way I have switched to the spare mask when the plastic frame on my primary mask cracked and leaked. Having the spare made the difference between a 5 minute dive and a 45 minute dive. There are lots of divers who do not feel that carrying a spare mask in the water, or even having one available on the surface, is worth it and that is fine. Its just diving and this spare mask is only one small tool to make things easier for some people.
Use one, don't use one, it really is up to you.
Mark Vlahos
As I said earlier in this thread, I carry a spare. For me the added security of knowing that the spare mask is available to me during the dive makes it worth it. By the way I have switched to the spare mask when the plastic frame on my primary mask cracked and leaked. Having the spare made the difference between a 5 minute dive and a 45 minute dive. There are lots of divers who do not feel that carrying a spare mask in the water, or even having one available on the surface, is worth it and that is fine. Its just diving and this spare mask is only one small tool to make things easier for some people.
Use one, don't use one, it really is up to you.
Mark Vlahos
matt_unique
Guest
The mask/no mask thing is primarily about the water temp. It's a totally different animal in warm water vs. cold water.
For an NDL dive you are going to the surface if you have no mask and it will probably be a quick ride. A buddy will hopefully help you gauge a safe ascent rate. Obviously sans buddy you would need to do your best to have a safe ascent rate but it will be hard to maintain.
In cold water deco stops are not a reality in my opinion even with a buddy. I decided to carry a 2nd mask for all deco dives.
--Matt
For an NDL dive you are going to the surface if you have no mask and it will probably be a quick ride. A buddy will hopefully help you gauge a safe ascent rate. Obviously sans buddy you would need to do your best to have a safe ascent rate but it will be hard to maintain.
In cold water deco stops are not a reality in my opinion even with a buddy. I decided to carry a 2nd mask for all deco dives.
--Matt
I carry a second mask in my left drysuit pocket. When I dive wet. I have a right thigh pocket ( Dive right ) that is where the mask goes.
Reason for a spare mask underwater. Anything can happen, mask leak, strap breaking, or accidental removal from a foreign object..Fin in the face..I wear contacts and well if my mask goes...my eyes are shut. I can easily reach my spare. So I continue my merry way. I rather be redundant and not have to lean on a buddy. especially if it is an insta-buddy.
Safe dives
Reason for a spare mask underwater. Anything can happen, mask leak, strap breaking, or accidental removal from a foreign object..Fin in the face..I wear contacts and well if my mask goes...my eyes are shut. I can easily reach my spare. So I continue my merry way. I rather be redundant and not have to lean on a buddy. especially if it is an insta-buddy.
Safe dives
Wayward Son
Contributor
I don't carry an extra mask during a dive. I don't do overhead or deco dives, so if I were to lose mine somehow I can call the dive & ascend without one.
But I do keep a spare mask in my gear bag, as I have seen masks damaged on the boat as well as lost overboard while under way. I have a hard time finding a mask that fits me without leaking, so I keep one that fits in my gear bag, safely inside its platic box, just in case.
But I do keep a spare mask in my gear bag, as I have seen masks damaged on the boat as well as lost overboard while under way. I have a hard time finding a mask that fits me without leaking, so I keep one that fits in my gear bag, safely inside its platic box, just in case.
Jon C
Guest
JahJahwarrior:
I hate it when this happens....
Left thigh pocket on DS and 7mm wet for all overhead and/or deco dives (either mine or my wife's, depending on who's initiating jumps and has the extra spools for that). During recreational dives I usually don't bring an extra mask.
Blackwood
Contributor
Now that I have pockets on my suit I do.
Right thigh pocket, every dive.
Right thigh pocket, every dive.
I bring a spare to the dive site/on the boat, but I've never taken a spare down with me.
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