“Give the face mask two minutes of your time before going down in the water.”
Neglecting the mask’s condition, wearing it directly, and heading to the water may expose you to an annoying dive and all your attempts to enjoy the diving will fail.
Because of your preoccupation with repeating the compensation and removing the fog, you may miss a lot of fun. You will consume more air supply, and you may have to get out of the water because of the inconvenience and discomfort caused by the mask position.
When do I need to adjust the mask position?
We all put the mask in the large equipment bag and the mask is likely to be subject to some pressure by the rest of the equipment even if it is in the special mask case.
During the assembly of the equipment, the dimensions of the head strap may differ, which causes a difference in the weight approved from the last diving. So, you need to calibrate the face mask every time before going in the water.
Also, the rubber part found on the frame of the inner lens, which is supposed to be applied tightly and directly to the skin, may sometimes be damaged, loosened or torn from the edges which will cause a continuous leakage of water inside the mask leading to the disturbance of your diving if you do not solve the problem as soon as you pay attention to it.
6 steps to give you comfortable use of the face mask while diving:
·When buying it choose good quality and avoid cheap products
Not only the quality but also the one that is appropriate to the diver’s face and head dimensions. Try it as you learned in the first diving course; wear the mask without pulling the head strap and inhale the air from the nose to make sure the size of the mask is appropriate. Repeat this process from time to time, as the dimensions of the mask may differ after using it, especially in some commercial species that can be affected by salt or by the storage method.
·Ensure that the inner rubber cap is in direct contact with the skin
Keep your hair away from the circumference of the mask and pass your hand over the circumference of the mask to make sure that it comes into contact with the skin properly. Then make sure that there are no bends along with the rubber cap. For those who have a long mustache, wash your face with water before wearing the mask and adjust the mustache hair in a way that does not impede the tightening of the inner rubber part.
·The head strap must be properly attached
Its exaggerated height to the top of the head will cause the mask to rise from the side of the nose and water will leak, while in case it is lowered heavily on the head toward the back it will lead to water leakage from the front or the sides; so avoid both things to enjoy your diving.
·Pull the head strap gently and evenly from both ends
Because when the tightening of the head strap varies and the fastening between the two ends is not equal, this leads to water leakage from the sides. So, attach the strap gently and pull it smoothly and evenly from both sides.
·Do not overtighten the mask on the face and do not tighten the head strap
Exaggerating in tying the head strap will lead to great pressure on the face; and during diving, with the depth pressure and the differences in the surrounding pressure, the pressure will be doubled which may cause pain to the face and harm to the eyes and this can force you to repeat the compensation constantly. When you get out of the water, you will find clear and disturbing bruises on the face that may turn blue and you may even have bloody eyes.
·Use the appropriate anti-fogging agent
Use an anti-fogging agent like the soap provided for that purpose or toothpaste and in case it is not available, try saliva; spit in the mask, rub it well and wash it with water. Then after cleaning it with one of the previous methods, wear it correctly and avoid the entrance of the air to it.
