Help please!

[toxicfairy]

I purchased a snorkeling set. My problem is my mask fills with water ...often. of course I have tryed tightening it but no good. I do have a kind of long thin face. Any ideas how to get a seal? Also I tryed the spit thing to avoid fog ...didn't work. Help.

[Diver2014]

I purchased a snorkeling set. My problem is my mask fills with water ...often. of course I have tryed tightening it but no good. I do have a kind of long thin face. Any ideas how to get a seal? Also I tryed the spit thing to avoid fog ...didn't work. Help.

 

You don't want a tight mask, just a comfortable mask. Hold the mask strap out of the way, put the mask to your face then breathe in, it should stay in place if it fits correctly. If your mask falls off when you breathe in, there is nothing you can do to make a seal. You need a smaller mask. Men with a mustache need to put vasoline on their 'stach to get a good seal. Make sure all hair and anything else around your face is not under the edge of the mask.

Even a small amount of hair will break the seal and let water in.

 

All masks come with a factory coat on the lenses which needs to be removed to prevent fogging. Put a little dab of regular toothpaste (not the gritty kind!) on the both sides of the lenses, rub it around gently then wash the mask. It should not fog again. Also, remember to breathe through your mouth whenever you have your mask on, warm breathe tends to fog any lens. Hope this works for you....

Edited June 22, 2015 by Diver2014

[omeinv]

This is the problem with "snorkeling sets". They tend to be "one size fits none". If you have a face that is not what the manufacturer considered "normal", you'll have results like you are.

 

If it's new enough your set can be returned, I would. As the above poster noted, there is no making a poorly fitting mask better.

 

The next stop would be a dive shop, where they will take the time to work with you to find a mask that truly fits your face, and then fins that are of better quality, more efficient, and more comfortable than the ones you get with a set. Finally you can get a snorkel that will work better that one that comes in a set.

 

You'll spend more money, but you'll have equipment that will fit and work properly, and thus you'll enjoy your snorkeling immensely more. Compare the expense of good equipment with the price of your snorkeling excursion, and you'll see it's not a bad investment.

 

Harris

Denver, CO

[snc_cam]

my wife had a similar problem... then we went on a snorkel excursion in Belize where they had small masks. After a discussion with the tour guides, they gave me the type of mask to find. I then got home and found a good selection for a reasonable price at Leisure Pro (online). Good luck

[toxicfairy]

Thanks everyone. I have an Oval face . My daughtwr has a round or actually square face. They fit her much better. Guess I'll have to look for a new one. I don't use them often enough to spend good money on them but maybe a different kind. Thanks again!

This is a picture of the set i have.

[snc_cam]

Thanks everyone. I have an Oval face . My daughtwr has a round or actually square face. They fit her much better. Guess I'll have to look for a new one. I don't use them often enough to spend good money on them but maybe a different kind. Thanks again!

This is a picture of the set i have.

 

if you don't have dive shops nearby, check with leisurepro.com. They have specialists who can help you get the right mask. And you are looking between 20-40 for the mask.

[Diver2014]

I highly recommend LeisurePro. I've been doing business with them for years.

They sell good equipment and stand behind their products. I'm not 'pushing' them, just recommending them for anyone who does not have a dive shop close by.

[drew sailbum]

...

 

All masks come with a factory coat on the lenses which needs to be removed to prevent fogging. Put a little dab of regular toothpaste (not the gritty kind!) on the both sides of the lenses, rub it around gently then wash the mask. It should not fog again. Also, remember to breathe through your mouth whenever you have your mask on, warm breathe tends to fog any lens. Hope this works for you....

 

It is true that masks with tempered glass lenses have this coating. Those masks do need the toothpaste treatment once.

 

But some cheapo snorkel sets have plastic lenses which may scratch badly with the toothpaste treatment.

[TrqoisWtrs]

of course I have tryed tightening it but no good.

 

Sometimes you can actually make the mask too tight. You keep tightening the mask thinking that will stop the leaking, but in reality you can be making it too tight so that the fit around your face will warp, allowing leakage. :P

 

As to the mask fogging, I swear by this stuff. (Spit never worked for me either.) A little drop of goo, smear and rinse, and I'm good for usually at least two snorkeling stops. :)

http://www.leisurepro.com/p-aqu5md/500-psi-mask-defog

 

Other folks recommend a watered down version of baby shampoo, but I've never tried that.

[snc_cam]

Sometimes you can actually make the mask too tight. You keep tightening the mask thinking that will stop the leaking, but in reality you can be making it too tight so that the fit around your face will warp, allowing leakage. :P

 

As to the mask fogging, I swear by this stuff. (Spit never worked for me either.) A little drop of goo, smear and rinse, and I'm good for usually at least two snorkeling stops. :)

http://www.leisurepro.com/p-aqu5md/500-psi-mask-defog

 

Other folks recommend a watered down version of baby shampoo, but I've never tried that.

 

But you also get "mask face" if it is too tight.

 

I have actually used the baby shampoo, not watered down with great success. A single drop or two, rub it around, rinse, and you are good to go.

[Diver2014]

I agree, mask squeeze is not a pretty sight and it will also give you a whoppin' headache if your mask is too tight. If you are going to snorkel or dive more than a few times, go to a dive shop to get a decent mask that fits. Those plastic dime store mask/snorkel sets are worthless. If you wear glasses, you can also get lenses for a split lens mask (such as TUSA Liberator) at a dive shop. I had my optician make a pair of lenses since I dive often and need bi focal lenses to see my gauges underwater. You really need to try the mask on for fit before buying. You can buy a mask with a purge valve in the nose if you aren't proficient in mask clearing but those are getting hard to find. Also, throw out the strap that comes with the mask and buy a soft, neoprene strap that fits comfortably around your head. Happy snorkellin'!

[Opua Kiwi]

If I may hijack this thread slightly please.

 

I need a mask for occasional snorkelling with fairly strong distance vision correction.

Doesn't need to be an accurate personal prescription.

 

What is the best way to do this please.

[Diver2014]

There are a lot of options. Have your optometrist make special lenses for your mask (that's what I did). Or, have a dive shop replace the clear lenses with diopter lenses (not as accurate as eye glasses but clears up some of the blurriness in long distance vision-this is the most common underwater vision correction) or buy dive mask stick ons (again available at a good dive shop) or buy inserts to fit your mask or wear contacts (not recommended - too easy to lose them if you get water in your mask).

[Opua Kiwi]

Thanks Diver.

 

Will now talk to the dive shop

 

Appreciated.

O.K