How to choose the right diving mask. Learn to swim with a snorkel and snorkel. Components of the mask

16.10.2019

Beginning divers, on the eve of a trip to the seaside, are concerned with the question of how to choose a mask for scuba diving. A conventional underwater diving mask consists of a soft body, a rigid rim, into which one or more portholes are inserted. Also included with this scuba diving equipment is a lashing strap.

Modern underwater diving masks are mostly made of silicone, some older models are made with rubber housings. Of course, silicone is the material most suitable for the body of diving equipment. It is very durable in use, the effect of sea water or hot sun practically does not affect the state of the silicone. Masks with a silicone body are available in black or transparent. It is believed that it is the transparent body that gives a significantly greater view, but has a drawback due to the possibility of creating glare on the sight glass. The rim of a comfortable mask should be made of impact-resistant plastic or metal.

Considering the question of how to choose a mask for diving, it is necessary to pay attention to the main characteristics corresponding to a quality mask for diving. It should not let water through, rub the skin, press on the face, the viewing angle should be as large as possible. The space under the mask of a quality diving mask should be kept to a minimum.

One of the most important parameters for purchasing an underwater mask should be the physiological factor. In other words, the mask must definitely match your face type. Based on this overriding principle, choose the model of your individual mask. It is impossible to have one high-quality alternating dive mask for the whole family. In a specialist store, be sure to unscrew the headband strap, and place it directly in front of the glass of the face of the mask.

When solving the problem of how to choose a mask for scuba diving, remove your hair, if any, attach a diving mask to your face, and for the correct choice of equipment it is inappropriate to press the mask tightly. Pay attention to the tightness of the entire edge of the seal. Then inhale some air with your nose, then hold your breath. The mask should naturally adhere tightly directly to the face and stay in place even when the head is turned in different directions. When shaking the head or other manipulations, the mask should fit snugly. Air should not pass into the space under the mask. When considering how to choose a snorkeling mask, be sure to try harder to press down on the top of the glass frame. This will help to unambiguously determine the comfort of the mask for diving, the absence of its pressure on the frontal bone, the bridge of the nose.

Be sure to look around to determine the viewing angle. Perhaps, due to the individual characteristics of vision, the available angle of view will seem to you to be the minimum. Some diving enthusiasts prefer masks with double portholes, glasses for viewing, which in most cases produce some distortion of what they see. In this case, choose a single-pane underwater mask. When deciding how to choose a mask for scuba diving, it is necessary to take into account the sight of the diver. If you have glasses or contact lenses in your daily life, you need to choose a mask with a diopter that matches your vision.

Choosing a diving mask wisely requires serious attention to detail. The principle of saving is impractical, it contradicts the common sense of the purchase!

An irreplaceable companion for a person who has decided to master the basics of spearfishing, diving, or simply decided to get acquainted with the flora and fauna of the seabed at one of the most popular resorts in the world. We will find out what parameters should be studied before purchasing this equipment and what you need to know for scuba diving.

1. Components of the mask

To begin with, let's get acquainted with the main components of almost any mask: a soft body, a hard rim for fixing the windows, as well as a fastening strap. As a rule, the equipment we study contains only these components, however, in some cases there are exceptions. The choice depends on the characteristics of its main parts, so let's get to know each component in more detail.

2. Soft body

The soft body is most often made of silicone or rubber. The color of this item is important. For example, a black opaque base will reduce the viewing angle, and colored compounds can be distracting and interfere with the user's concentration. It would seem that the choice is obvious - transparent silicone, however, and this option is not without its drawbacks - the likelihood of glare on the sight glass. That is why the color of the soft base depends on your personal requirements for this piece of diving equipment. Speaking about the silicone or rubber component, it is necessary to introduce an important concept - the undermask space. This is nothing more than the distance between the sight glass and the user's face. The larger the volume of this characteristic, the higher the lift. In simple terms, this one will lift your head to the surface, making it difficult to explore the depths of water in most cases. Therefore, it is recommended to choose compact masks with a small volume of the mask space (up to 300 mm³). However, one should not forget about the viewing angles: the more impressive this indicator, the more comfortable the dive will be.

Some are equipped with a nose tab that makes it easier to blow your ears underwater. There are also models with valves that increase the comfort of the wearer while blowing the mask. Finally, the rarest option is ear protection. In general, all the requirements for choosing a soft case boil down to the following: it should tightly cover your face, preventing even a slight ingress of air into the space under the mask. And, of course, this equipment should be comfortable and comfortable enough.

3. Rigid rim

Considering the issue of the rigid rim (the second element of the mask design), much more attention should be paid to that part of the mask that is fixed with these elements: the windows. It is important to know the number of glasses here: monoglass (shallow diving, operation by novice divers) and double glass (deeper diving, increased reliability). There are those that are equipped with specialized lenses for correcting vision. In this regard, it is difficult to give any advice - you need to trust a professional seller who will help you make the right choice.

4. Fastening strap

And finally, the last component is the fastening strap. The tightness of the mask and the convenience of the user largely depend on this component: thanks to the strap, the equipment is fixed on the head of the diver or underwater hunter. Here, it should be noted such important qualities as the ability to adjust the length of the strap and the presence of swivel buckles.

In order to see and fully appreciate all the beauties of the underwater world, a diver needs a kind of window through which he will look at this splendor. And such a window is best suited for a diving mask. As you know, the eye needs an air gap between it and the aqueous medium, otherwise it will not be able to clearly perceive objects. But the choice of such a mask is a responsible process and we will talk about it now.

The main thing is not to get confused

Why a full mask and not diving goggles? Yes, in terms of wearing comfort and price, they look pretty attractive, but there is one serious problem - at a depth of more than 2 meters, they start to work like suction cups due to the small pressure under them. And this threatens with burst capillaries or something worse. The mask, on the other hand, allows you to regulate the pressure in the space between it and the face with the help of nasal exhalation.

There are now more than forty types of masks designed for snorkelling and snorkeling. But, despite such an abundance, the choice will not be as difficult as it seems at first glance. And the first step that must be taken before purchasing is a personal liking for this item - choose the one that you like. After you have made a choice among dozens of types of masks, you can start the fitting process.

Choosing a mask for yourself

How to choose a diving mask if they are not sized? This "dimensionlessness" only complicates the task of buying the right one for you. Trying on should be especially careful, because it depends on whether you enjoy the immersion or constantly fight for your life. And it is worth starting by applying it to the face, carefully removing the hair from the forehead and straightening the contact edge of the mask - it should fit snugly to the face, but in no case bite into it. Next, pull up the strap so that it hangs over your face. There is one more detail connected with this moment: never put on the mask by stretching the strap - this will lead to the fact that it will not adhere well to you over time. It is better to loosen it with the help of buckles, put it on, and tighten it on your head. Next, inhale gently through your nose. The mask should, as it were, adhere and hold on due to the reduced pressure. If it is comfortable, beautiful and stays on the face, this 2/3 means that it is suitable for you. To be sure, you need to take several masks and test them in real diving conditions.

What does the mask consist of?

The structure of the mask at first glance does not differ in complexity, but behind the external simplicity lies the form and materials from which it is made. A diving mask is, first of all, a soft body that fits to the face, a hard rim in which portholes ("windows" to the underwater world) are attached, a fastening strap and several buckles. The body in the recent past was made of rubber, but recently they began to abandon it in favor of silicone. It is softer, more elastic, less susceptible to the action of water and sunlight, more durable. There are 2 types of silicone - black and transparent - and the choice between them is very important. Transparent seems to be more obvious, since it expands the visible area, but it has a significant drawback: it glares, which causes inconvenience and can cause headaches. Therefore, those who dive with a snorkel, and those who dive more than 10 meters, refuse it. Also spear hunters choose black silicone.

The rim serves as a frame for the windows, therefore it is made of impact-resistant plastic or metal. When choosing a strap, the best of all is silicone. It is very elastic, and my hair suffers less from it. It is worth paying attention to the system for adjusting the fastening straps: if it allows you to adjust the belt tension without having to remove the mask, then you will not find a better option. When trying on and using, do not try to tighten the belt too much, since squeezing the face is a very unpleasant phenomenon that causes a lot of discomfort. It is much easier to blow the water out of the mask if the need arises.

Glass fogging is a very unpleasant phenomenon that can be encountered when diving with or without a snorkel. To avoid this, portholes should be made of tempered glass. In addition, they hold chemicals well. impact and blows. So you should pay attention to the presence of such inscriptions: Safety for plastic and Tempered for glass. Recently, masks have begun to be equipped with side glasses, which significantly expand the view, but work like prisms. Not everyone loves the very specific visibility they give. Another novelty is glasses for people with poor vision, in which you can install lenses with the required diopters.

The last thing on the list to look out for is far from the last in importance. This is the air gap between the mask and the diver's face, or the space under the mask. The larger it is, the more difficult it is to keep the body in a horizontal position or upside down - after all, lifting force comes into play. Therefore, large masks are suitable only for those who dive with a snorkel or no more than 10 meters. By the way, it will be useful to know that the deeper the dive, the more air you need to blow into the mask. You will probably come across darkened masks, but you shouldn't dwell on them, as they are intended for underwater hunters for shy fish. The latest models of masks made with a nose protrusion are very convenient. This solution is very convenient, it reduces hydrodynamic resistance, increases the viewing angle, and most importantly - it allows you to blow your ears with one hand.

Mask maintenance and care

When buying a mask, you should not think that you will not have to monitor its condition. This is an important point, since it depends on it whether it will let you down at depth and whether it will last a long time.

On the windows of the portholes, the diving mask has a thin film that needs to be removed - it contributes to their strong fogging. There are several methods for this:

Go to the nearest store, buy Coca-Cola or Fanta. Pour it into the mask for a couple of hours and then rinse with clean water. The phosphoric acid they contain will destroy the film.
Find a non-abrasive tooth powder or gel toothpaste and apply it to the glass. Rinse with water after a while.
The film can be burned out. This is the most difficult method, as the glass can burst if heated unevenly.

You can prevent such an unpleasant phenomenon as mask fogging in the following ways:

The easiest one is to buy a special liquid, the so-called antifog, at any diving or sports store.
It will be cheaper to purchase a baby shampoo that does not have additives. You will get the same effect, and the price will be several times lower.
Use the good old "old-fashioned" method. Spit, grind and rinse with water. Oddly enough, efficiency is as good as simplicity.

There is a "field" method of cleaning condensate directly during immersion. You just need to run some water into the mask space, which will wash it off. Yes, you are provided with some degree of inconvenience, but sometimes you cannot do without it. Most conveniently, if the mask is large, the water will be farther from the face.

After immersion, the mask must be rinsed with fresh water, and in no case in hot water, and put into a special hard box that will protect it from temperature extremes and sunlight.

That's all the recommendations for choosing a mask. Approach this issue very carefully, because it is not for nothing that it is considered one of the most important among professionals. Follow her, and she will give you a sea of unforgettable impressions and open before your eyes the magical underwater world.

The human eye is not able to clearly reproduce information about objects in a more dense, from an optical point of view, environment, which is water. An air space is required between the eye and the water.
The simplest device for this is swimming goggles. However, diving with goggles to a depth of more than 1-2 metersit does not follow. The pressure under the goggles at this depth becomes significantly less than the environment, and the goggles begin to work like suction cups. The result is a mesh of hemorrhage in the eyes (and this is at best!).
Therefore, it allows, due to exhalation through the nose, to equalize the pressure in the undermask space with the ambient pressure. According to the generally accepted opinion - the mask is the main item in the equipment of a submariner.

Recall that according to the international codes of all underwater federations, swimming without a mask is a distress signal.
Mask elements
Any swimming mask consists of a soft body, a rigid rim, into which one or more portholes are inserted, and a fastening strap.
Most modern masks have a silicone body (however, rubber masks are still available).
Silicone is softer and more elastic than rubber (although it is inferior in strength), it is more durable and less susceptible to the damaging effects of water and sunlight. Silicone can be either black or transparent.
The choice here is a matter of taste. Note, however, that the transparent silicone mask body increases the field of view, but may create a slight glare on the viewing glass.
The rim of the mask is made of metal or impact-resistant plastic.
The porthole of the mask must be mechanically strong, not form shards with sharp edges when broken, and withstand the chemical action of sea water. Some types of plastics meet these requirements (but they are expensive, therefore they are mainly used by professionals) and tempered glass. The mask porthole must be marked "TEMPERED" for glass and "SAFETY" for plastic.
The mask strap can be made of either rubber or silicone (the latter, of course, is preferable).
Choosing a diving mask
The choice of masks is wide. You can choose from numerous colors and shapes. The best masks offer maximum visibility with a minimum amount of space under the mask.
The space limited by the mask on one side and the diver's face on the other is called the submask space. This space is filled with air. Naturally, the larger it is, the greater the lifting force and the more difficult it is to keep the body horizontally or head downward. Therefore, it is better to choose a mask with a low volume (about 200 mm 3).
The wider the angle of view, the better. The angle of view depends on the size and shape of the mask's porthole.
The hydrodynamic resistance depends on the size and shape of the mask. The smaller this value, the more comfortable the mask.
To blow your ears underwater, you need to pinch your nose. When snorkelling, this can be done with one hand. If the mouthpiece of the breathing apparatus is in the mouth, then it is already difficult to do this procedure with one hand. This is where a mask comes to the rescue with a separate nose protrusion.
This design of the mask allows you to blow through with one hand, in addition, this reduces the space under the mask and increases the field of view, due to the approach of the window to the eyes, and also reduces the hydrodynamic resistance.
To compensate for human vision deficiencies, two-lens masks with replaceable lenses have been developed and produced. Diopter glasses are selected for each eye separately. At the factory, all masks are equipped with ordinary glasses, which within a few minutes can be replaced with dioptric ones, tailored to fit your eyes. Now there is no need to look for special contact lenses with micro-holes to compensate for pressure.
For masks with replaceable lenses, lenses with an anti-fog coating are available. The layer of material applied on the inside of the glass prevents the precipitation of individual drops of moisture, but does not affect the clarity of the image.
Masks with valves integrated in the lower part are available. To purge the mask from water, you can do without using your hands, just exhale with your nose.
Many manufacturers offer masks with a convenient quick-adjusting mechanism for the fastening straps and with pivoting buckles.
This mechanism allows you to tighten or loosen the belt without removing the mask and quickly select the optimal angle for the belt.
To check the mask for leaks, you need to attach it to your face without a belt and take a light breath through your nose.
If the mask "sticks" and is held on the face, then its shape suits you.
By the way, if you wear a mustache, then you should either get rid of them, or come to terms with the slow but inevitable leakage of water. There is nothing wrong with that.
Swimming mask instructions
A. How to remove water from under the mask.
During swimming, water can enter the space under the mask. It can be caused by hair caught under the flange of the mask, or by laughing, talking or yawning.
To remove water, tilt your head back, press down on the top of the mask (if your mask has a valve, you don't need to press on the top edge) and exhale through your nose.
Water should be removed through the bottom flange of the mask. This procedure can be repeated until the water is completely removed from under the mask.
The glass of the mask may fog up when immersed in water. To prevent fogging, simply wipe the inside of the glass with saliva and rinse with water. This procedure reliably prevents fogging.
After diving, rinse the mask with a clean insipid water. Try not to leave the mask in direct sunlight for a long time.
Protect the glass from contact with hard objects and the body from excessive and prolonged deformation. It is better to use special plastic boxes for storage and transportation.
B. Influence of water pressure on the mask during diving.
When diving, you may experience discomfort as a result of the increased water pressure on the mask.
This is due to the difference in pressure between the outside and the inside of the mask. You need to equalize these pressures by slowly exhaling through the nose into the mask.
C. Pressure on the eardrums of the ear.
Another unpleasant result of increased pressure can be discomfort in your ears.
This is due to the difference in pressure on the eardrum of water on one side and air on the other.
To equalize these pressures, it is necessary to "blow through", i.e. pinch your nose with your fingers and exhale through your nose (it is very convenient to blow through in a mask with a nose protrusion).

To see all the beauty of the marine world, you need a swimming mask. She is an irreplaceable companion of a person who has decided to master the basics of spearfishing, diving, or just get acquainted with the fauna and flora of the ocean floor at some popular resort in the world.

How to choose a snorkeling mask?

Before choosing a diving mask, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of its parts. It consists of a softened body, a rigid rim for fixing the windows and a fastening strap. What each element of the swim mask should be:

Soft body... Made of silicone or rubber, the more impressive the mask's viewing angle, the more comfortable the dive will be. The body should fit snugly around the face, preventing air from entering the under-mask space.
Rigid rim... It is important to take into account the number of glasses - their number varies from 1 to 8. Monoglass is suitable for shallow dives and beginners. The double glass is highly durable and designed for deep diving. There are masks with lenses for vision correction.
Fastening strap... The comfort of the user and the tightness of the mask depend on it. The ability to adjust the length of the strap and the presence of pivoting buckles are important here.

Full face swim mask

Full face masks are oval body with glass all over the face. It is attached to the head with cross-adjustable straps. There is a valve in the air tube, it closes when immersed in water, moreover, you do not need to hold the tube in your teeth. Exhaled air is discharged through the side troughs, and fresh air enters through them. The full face diving mask is divided into two sectors:

for breathing;
for review.

Thanks to this, the glass does not fog up and you can admire the delights of the underwater world. It is designed for diving to a shallow depth of 1.5-2 m. A wide viewing angle of 180 ° due to the transparency of the face of the mask allows you to capture all nearby beauties. The absence of a tube in the mouth and the presence of a 2-line ventilation system is the ability to breathe through the mouth or nose, which is not provided for in traditional masks.

Swimming goggles

Classic underwater diving masks have one oval glass half-face. At the bottom of the obturator there are finger recesses that allow you to squeeze the nose and blow out the middle ear. The goggle mask has a more elegant design - a notch in the face area and a pocket for the nose, the nose can be open or closed, depending on the model. In the construction the glasses are placed closer to the swimmer's eyes, the under-mask volume is reduced. Such models are easier to blow away from water.

Wide lenses provide a wide viewing angle to the user, they can have UV filters and are treated with an anti-fog layer. Once the coating is rinsed off, you can purchase an antifog drip or spray and apply it to the inside of your lenses to keep them from sweating. In ponds, you can use the transparent color of the glasses - it provides a view without distortion. Smoky, mirrored, blue lenses extinguish glare, give good visibility in bright light.

Swimming mask with diopters

Underwater hunters, swimmers and divers with vision problems are also not ignored by manufacturers, since you can choose a mask for swimming with diopters. It has special glasses for visually impaired users - or. There are models with equal diopters for both eyes or with interchangeable lenses that allow you to insert the necessary glasses on each eye. You need to choose such a mask based on the optical power of your daily glasses - it should be the same or slightly weaker.

Swim mask with valve

The blow-off valve in the swim mask allows water and air to flow outward and prevents water from entering. It helps to easily clean out the undermask space from water accidentally got inside by blowing it out with one exhalation of the nose. The valve is located in the lower area of the mask. You can remove the liquid without using your hands, without lifting your face or touching the shutter.

Choosing a valve snorkeling mask is a good option for spearfishing and diving. Even just swimming with a snorkel, admiring the beauty (snorkeling), it will be convenient with it. Such a design is especially in demand among men with mustaches or beards, which prevent a snug fit of the mask body. The model is also considered comfortable for people who use contact lenses when swimming.

Panoramic swimming masks

When deciding which swimming mask to choose, you should opt for a panoramic model. It features side edges to enhance lateral vision and additional viewing lenses under the center glass for easy readout and improved downward vision. A panoramic swimming mask can be made in the form of a full-face one, in which the porthole is located on the whole face, and the tube has a monostructure with a body or in the form of a mask-goggles. The undermask space in this model is larger than in other types of structures.

Swimming masks with camera

Mask helmet for swimming underwater

The one-piece mask for underwater diving is a body with built-in glass that covers the entire face. It covers the head and is fixed with nylon straps. In such equipment, you can breathe through your mouth and nose. A dry float tube built into the top of the body prevents water from entering the mask when immersed. The bottom valve performs a drainage function - you can quickly blow out liquid from the undermask space.

The glass of the product is protected from fogging - a set of valves removes exhaust air, providing excellent visibility. The spherical design of the mask allows a 180 ° field of view. In such equipment, you can turn your head in different directions without fear of water getting inside. But such a design is not suitable for deep diving - the maximum diving depth is 2 m.

Swimming mask with ears

The advanced underwater diving masks with ears are equipped with earpieces that tightly cover the pinna, preventing water from leaking and entering the various bacteria that cause infection. Equalization of pressure is achieved by simple exhalation through the nose - then air through corrugated tubes equipped with a non-return valve enters the cavity of the cups, equalizes the pressure, removing discomfort from the membrane.

It is an ideal solution for swimmers with ear problems (otitis media, eardrum barotrauma). The unique system of equalizing the pressure in the ear chambers will not allow the user to get even minor damage to the ear. Swimming mask with ear protection - benefits:

protects against water and ear infections;
provides equalization of pressure in the ear cavities;
enhances hearing and spatial sensations underwater;
improves the blowing of the space under the mask.

Professional swimming mask

High-quality professional diving masks are selected depending on the type of their occupation. The undermask space (the distance between the glass and the face) for scuba diving and diving to depths of more than 10 m should be minimal (200 ml). For spearfishing and diving (up to 10 m), models with an increased viewing radius and increased volume (300-400 ml) are chosen. Professional products must be of excellent quality:

They are made of high quality soft silicone, which adheres tightly to the skin and does not cause discomfort. Black headbands are chosen by underwater hunters and photography enthusiasts - they have a clearer view. Transparent masks are suitable for fans of scuba diving and diving - they have a larger field of view.
The portholes are made of tempered glass, which protects the eyes from sea water and strong deep pressure.
Glasses must have high impact resistance. The lens is coated with a special anti-fog compound.

Swimming mask for children

Children's swimming mask differs from the adult in smaller size and colorful design. It can use bright-colored headbands or the outline is made in the form of animals - frogs, sharks, hippos. Equipped with a children's swimming mask with rubber straps, the length of which can be changed depending on the size of the child's head. The main thing when choosing a product is that the frame fits snugly to the face, not allowing air and water to pass through. In children's masks, hypoallergenic silicone is used, lenses are made of safe polycarbonate, they often come with a tube and fins.

Swimming mask - rating

Before choosing a diving mask, you should pay attention to well-known brands, which are preferred by professionals, their products are lightweight, comfortable, high-quality:

Bare... Canadian manufacturer, produces diving equipment for scuba diving, diving, surfing, water skiing. The main products are dry and wet suits.
Beuchat... French brand, an innovator of many technologies for the production of rubberized clothing. Produces equipment for diving, spearfishing, beach recreation - masks, wetsuits, fins, snorkels, bags, guns, gloves, flashlights, knives.
Cressi... An Italian brand that produces stylish products that meet the highest quality standards. The assortment includes wetsuits and clothing items - shoes, fins, snorkels, goggles, masks, hunting equipment.

How to wear a swimming mask correctly?

It is important to wear the mask correctly for snorkeling to succeed. Before immersion, the inside of the glass of the product must be wiped with toothpaste or an anti-fogging agent so that the lens does not fog up. If there are no such funds at hand, you can process it with ordinary saliva. How to wear a swimming mask:

After processing, the mask must be applied to the face, bend over slightly and inhale sharply. She should sit tight, do not allow air to pass through and hold without the help of hands.
After that, you can tighten the mask strap on the back of your head. Do not pull it too tightly - otherwise circles will remain around the eyes after swimming.
You need to make sure that no hair gets inside the mask, otherwise it will leak water.
After that, you can take a snorkel in your teeth, put on fins (optional) and dive calmly.