mask??

[sasas123]

mask problems??

i have tried a couple of masks now done the usuall out of water test fine..

when i get in the water they all start leaking the last one i bought was a cressi big eyes... ive put it down to the fact ive got a big nose anyone got any suggestions that dont involve surgery ???...also i have size 14 feet but thats another problem:( .....any help appreiceated...p.s i do not have bolts through my neck)

thanks ...steve:)

[Adrian Kelland]

I assume you did the out of water test holding your breath without the mask strap on?

I find that my mask will sometimes leak in the pool. This is usually because I have a day's stubble. This is enough to hold the mask away from the skin. A couple or 3 days is fine as this lays flat, but one days worth holds the mask away from the skin. With me anyway. YMMV.

Adrian

[MattS]

Mask leaks are very often caused by the strap being too tight. It causes the mask skirt to deform breaking the seal. Quite often you can seal a trouble-some mask simply by loosening the strap a click or two. When fitted correctly you should be able to easily lift the mask skirt by breathing out normally through the nose. It is also important to to equalise the mask on descent (breathe out through your nose) so that water pressure does not deform the mask skirt and break the seal.

The last mask I bought took about half a dozen dives to wear in, so don't give up on your new mask immediately.

[Andy Wade]

Mask leaks are very often caused by the strap being too tight. It causes the mask skirt to deform breaking the seal. Quite often you can seal a trouble-some mask simply by loosening the strap a click or two. When fitted correctly you should be able to easily lift the mask skirt by breathing out normally through the nose. It is also important to to equalise the mask on descent (breathe out through your nose) so that water pressure does not deform the mask skirt and break the seal.


That's a good point, especially as he's got a large nose (his words, not mine). A tendency to overtighten the mask to get the nose in may be causing the problem rather than helping it.


The last mask I bought took about half a dozen dives to wear in, so don't give up on your new mask immediately.

Yep, I'd agree with that, once a mask gets worn in, it becomes almost part of you, my new spare mask never felt the same even though it was identical to my primary mask, until I'd 'worn it in' too. You have to endure a few slightly troublesome dives to get your kit run in.

[Nigel Hewitt]

Mask leaks are very often caused by the strap being too tight.And how and especially the Big Eyes where the shape is dominated by the long lenses.

I have one and I have learnt to just place it on my face and have the strap set to just stop it floating away because any tension there and it floods like the lenses had just fallen out. Once that is done it is comfortable and delivers on looking down.... well, until you get a rebreather with big black hoses right in the 'look down' line of sight.

[Ben Panter]

Hi Steve,

...also i have size 14 feet but thats another problem:(

If you're looking for pool fins, try Lomo Watersports (http://www.ewetsuits.com/) in Glasgow. They do mail order.

If you'd like a drysuit, talk to Otter (http://www.drysuits.co.uk/). They made me a suit with wellingtons on the bottom, which has been excellent. With size 14s, you can probably even get standard neoprenes put on there.

For wetsuit booties, you'll probably manage with an XXL from most manufacturers.

For vaguely fashionable shoes, try walktall (http://www.walktall.co.uk)

For skiboots, Salomon goes to a 16 in some ranges

For hiking boots, you could look at Scarpa.

Hope those are helpful... I'm a size 15, and the situation is far better than it was ten years ago!

Ben

[Woz]

If your mask is leaking try pulling your face around a bit underwater to reposition creases in your skin.

[mike collins]

try a technisub falco mask. albert falco was jaques coustoe's chief diver and he had the largest nose, pure roman in shape of any diver I have ever met. technisub a subsidery of spirotechnique the company started by coustoe made a mask especially for him, I have dived with one for more years than I care to admit. hey are still in production and will fit, guarenteed

[AndyDavis]

Some masks just seem to take a few dives to 'bed-in' on your face, I think. I've used Cressi Big eyes for my last 2 masks. When I got my second one, it leaked at first but soon stopped.

[hypertigger]

silly things here:
any hair in the way?
any bit of your hood in the way?

i will notice my mask leaking if i smile, laugh or squeak too loudly; my cheek muscles move and the mask can't cope with that and i get water under my nose.

[Badders (Dave)]

Here's something I've found during my 4 expeditions in the swimming pool (I've not been anywhere else yet) and reaching depths of almost 4Meters. I've a beard and the moustache bit of it sits under the mask seal so the mask leaks, slowly filling up with water. I found that gently breath out of my nose until the pressure in the mask is greater than the water pressure stops the leaks. I don't know if I can rely on this at deeper depths but it might help.

[Yazzyfooty]

When diving I tend to get so excited everytime I see a fish, anenome or any other marine life that I laugh and squeal so much that i am always having to mask clear.
A small price to pay for getting to observe nature at its best.:D

[Chris Cherrington]

Hood??

I recently bought a new hood and found that my trusty mask of many years started leaking in a big way. It took a couple of dives to get it sorted out properly. Make sure that the mask skirt is clear of the hood edges. Ideally do this with bare hands to feel better then put your gloves on. This was my mistake - cold driven :)

Chris

[Dave (Simmo)]

Hi Steve & Badders

the people i dive with who have beards and or moustache smear vaseline over the hair before placing the mask on which i gather creates a decent seal

but i'm forever clearning my mask - it fits fine but cant cope when I grin or laugh clearning it becomes second nature after a while

Simmo

[Jon H]

i would make sure that there is no break in the seal of the mask eather u got some hair in way or the seal has a hole in it and if that not work make sure its the right six and when u breath in with mask on ur face it dont fall of (making a vacum so i dont fall of with u holding) but each mask is diffrent hope this helps