Your scuba diving mask is regarded as one of the most essential items of scuba diving equipment and also one which can greatly affect your comfort while being underwater.

This article will be your guide on choosing a suitable scuba diving mask. We will discuss some points to be put into consideration before buying one.

What to Consider Before Buying a Scuba Diving Mask

In this article, we will discuss and compare between two options in your scuba diving mask and after you read that you will be ready to take your decision about which option suit you:

• Buying Vs Renting.
• Scuba Masks Vs Swim & Snorkel Masks.
• Fit & Comfort Vs Color.
• Coloured Silicon Vs Transparent silicon.
• Neoprene Strap Vs Silicon Strap.
• Low Volume & High Volume.
• Tips to help you care for Your Scuba Diving Mask.

Buying Vs Renting

Experts recommend that scuba divers should buy their own scuba diving masks because a scuba mask needs to fit your specific face and facial contours. 

Renting a mask will be a suitable option if you forget your scuba mask or don’t have room to bring it with you while traveling.

Scuba Masks Vs Swim & Snorkel Masks

Your mask should meet a few requirements in order to be suitable for scuba diving, at first, the mask should have strong tempered glass to be able to withstand the pressures of scuba diving. The second thing that should be in your mask is a silicone skirt that encloses the nose. Its job is equalizing its airspace upon descent.

Fit & Comfort Vs Color

When we set this comparison, be sure that fit and comfort is the winner. Your mask’s skirt should wrap around your area of the eye without any gapes. You should put into considerations to find a mask that fits you best first, then choose your favorite color from there. 

To ensure you have a mask that fits you, speak to the presentative of the Dive shop  to tell you about different techniques on finding the mask that has a perfect fit on you. Here are one method to help you:

• Hold the choosing mask gently against your face.
• Try to breathe in softly through your nose.
• While that, let go with your hands.
• Insurance that you feel comfort on your upper lip, temples and nose.

Coloured Silicone Vs Transparent silicone

Choosing one of these options is completely upon you. A transparent silicone mask is a popular option for novice divers who like to have an open feeling and more peripheral vision, as the clear skirt will allow for more light. While a colored silicone mask is the best choice for underwater photographers because it helps in reducing glare.

Neoprene Strap Vs Silicone Strap

Most scuba divers, especially those who have long hair prefer a neoprene mask strip, as they feel more comfortable with it. If you don’t have hair or any problems with your strap slipping, a silicone mask strap will be the best option for you.

Low Volume Vs High Volume

The volume of your mask refers to the amount of airspace inside it. With the high volume mask, you have the feeling of openness and it also extends the peripheral vision, But you may get upset as it takes a little more effort to be cleared. While a low volume mask sits closer to your face and takes a little time to be cleared.

Tips to Help You Care for Your Scuba Diving Mask

• After buying your mask, scrap the interior lens with toothpaste or a non-abrasive cleaner in order to prevent fogging.
• Don’t over tighten your mask as that will cause mask leakage.
• Store your scuba diving mask in a plastic mask box to preserve it from bugs as they can eat silicone.
• If you are suffering from continuous fogging, ensure to use gentle liquid soup on the inside of your lenses and rinse it before each dive.
• If you are normally wearing prescription glasses, you can wear prescription lenses or optical inserts.
• Ensure to rinse your scuba diving mask thoroughly with freshwater after using it and keep it out of direct sunlight as much as you can.
• Don’t ever place the lens of your mask down to avoid scratching them.