Mask

Dive Mask

A mask is clearly essential for diving: without it, you can't see very well underwater. Although the basic idea of a mask is simple (trap a pocket of air against your face so you can see through it), there are many different styles. The best way to select a mask is to try a bunch on, and pick one that (in order of priority) seals well against your face, feels good to you, gives as wide a field of view as possible, and comes in a color you can live with.

To test the fit, look up and place the mask on your face gently, making sure the strap is out of the way. Inhale a little through your nose, and the change in pressure should press the mask against your face. You may press a little to make an initial seal (this is okay), but you should be able to actually get the mask to seal against your face when you inhale (it shouldn't immediately fall off again). At this point, note how the mask feels: is it pressing uncomfortably anywhere? If so, try another mask.

Masks come in many shapes: some have small lenses, some have large lenses. Some have just one lens, while some have four (or more). If you've got several that seal well and feel okay, look for how much they allow you to see while you're wearing them. A perfect mask would give you the same field of view that you'd have without wearing one. That ideal mask hasn't been invented yet, but some give you much more peripheral vision than others, and it's worth trying several different styles to note the difference.

Masks come in a bunch of colors, and this is obviously a personal preference. The color of the skirt (the silicone part of the mask that contacts your skin) does have some practical significance though: photographers often prefer an opaque black mask skirt so it doesn't let in stray light that may interfere with picture composition, etc. Other divers prefer a clear skirt, which lets in more light and feels more "open". In general, it won't make that much difference for most divers.

Some masks allow you to buy prescription lenses if your vision isn't perfect. It's safe to wear contact lenses beneath a mask, however, and many divers go this route rather than paying more for a prescription mask (it usually adds at least $50-60 to the cost of a mask). With contacts, your vision is always okay, while with a prescription mask, there may be an awkward time between when you take your glasses off and the time you put the mask on.

Once you buy a mask (even if it's brand new), clean it before taking it diving, and occasionally after that. This will help prevent the glass from fogging up. Some divers recommend cleaning the inside of the mask (especially the lens) with toothpaste, while others recommend softscrub, or using a special mask cleaner/defogger.

Anyway, a good mask is probably the first piece of equipment to buy, and will usually cost between $30 and $70 (or more for a prescription mask) in a dive shop. Brand is pretty irrelevant, just choose one that fits well, lets you see as much as possible, and has colors you like.

Next page: Choosing a Snorkel