USVI-On-Line

Just looking for pointers on making sure you buy a mask that fits correctly.

I remember someone a while back saying to do something to make sure it seals correctly or something.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

nothintolose

In my experience its better to have a mask that is slightly tight/small than one that is loose. I freak a little at the concept of clearing my mask though once I learned the technique it was pretty easy - blow air put of your nose while pressing on the part of the mask between your eyes and the water streams out and it miraculously reseals.

That was one of my big paranoias about scuba, the "what the hell do you do if your mask fills with water" guess what, it will and if you know what to do and master the technique you feel so much more confident.

Anyway, back to your question. Make sure its tight. That's the best I can do. My husband routinely lets me snorkel with the "better" mask of our two because he's a gentleman like that, so they do fit differently.

Hi,
First of all go to a dive shop and get fitted. I went and tried on about 20 until I found one that fit. They say when trying one on to put it to your face and suck in where you create a seal. If it does not fall off your in good shape. There are so many to choose from, if you have a small face then try on one made for children. Also I replaced the straps that go around my head with a neoprene strap that does not get caught up in my hair, much more comfortable.

DCPhoto is dead on about the neoprene strap. BEST investment if you do a lot of snorkeling and have anything other than a buzz cut! I tore my hair out the first time I snorkel in Jamaica. Got the strap and have been a happier girl ever since.

Any dive shop can do this:
- hold the mask up to your face
- don't put the strap on
- breath in through your nose
- if the mask stays on your face, it fits

Yah, y'all are goin' soon, aye?

Cheers, RickG

Thanks guys - I thought it was something about breathing in and suctioning it but wasn't sure if that was just to seal it right before you actually go snorkeling.

Have the neoprene thingy - got it for the last time but forgot it at home - hope to remember it this time

nothintolose

nothintolose,

I don't know if there are any dive shops open in the city, but if you happen to get out to Metairie stop at Harry's Dive Shop on Airline Highway. They have a great staff their that will help you find a mask that fits properly. Also when you purchase a new mask they come from the factory with some type of film on the mask that will cause it to fog up when you wear it the first time no matter how much anti fog gel or spit you use on it. I was told by the dive shop to get plain colgate toothpaste and rub it on the inside of the mask with a washclothe and then to rinse it well to remove the film and prevent fogging.

ow about a good place to get prescription masks. I wear glasses but need them for far away and really close but not the in between. I don't wear my glases most of the day unless i am needing to see more than about 3-4 feet away! Pitiful! I work in the Mall and people pass my store and wave and i am sure I should know who they are but can't see them. Do you think I will be able to see well enough to snorkle without the prescription gogles?

Just a general FYI, but having your mask too tight can cause small leakage. The good folks at Cruz Bay Watersports pointed this out to me a few years back.

We bought our masks with prescription lenses at a local dive shop before we went to STJ. We took our eyeglass prescriptions with us when we shopped. Our masks have separate lenses for each eye and, at the dive shop, they simply look at your written prescription and pop in a separate lens for each side. We had heard that these lenses may leak, but we didn't have any problems with them. To check for a seal, you simply put the mask on, close your mouth, and inhale through your nose. You'll be able to feel the seal. We must have been easy sales - we bought the first masks we tried on. No problem! Our prescription masks were a really great investment! And less expensive than we imagined.

I purchased a Rx mask for my husband from Snorkel Mart. He is very pleased with it. For the price, our eye dr. was quite impressed with the mask also. I should say we are vacation snorkelers, not divers.

Capt Phil taught us about cleaning the lenses. He uses soft scrub. Don't know if it is true or not but he said a clean mask will never fog and the anti-fog stuff is worthless and actually does more harm than good.

EH, this is getting off the subject a little but I had a real problem with fogging. I bought a 2 oz bottle of Sea Quick from diveusa.com and the stuff is great. No problems at all......