What is a mask for?

The human eye cannot see clearly in water. There must be an air space between the eye and the water. The simplest device for this is swimming goggles. However, it is not worth diving with goggles to a depth of more than 1-2 meters. 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, for swimming underwater, you need to use a mask that allows you to equalize the pressure in the under-mask space with the ambient pressure due to exhalation through the nose. It is well known that a mask is the main item in a diver's equipment.

Recall that according to the international codes of all underwater federations, swimming without a mask is a distress signal.

Any swimming mask consists of a soft body, an attachment strap and a hard rim, into which one or more portholes are inserted. The headband is made of impact-resistant plastic or metal. Almost all modern masks have a silicone case (although you can still buy rubber new mask).

How to choose the right diving mask.

Silicone is more elastic and softer than rubber, although not as strong. It is less susceptible to the damaging effects of sunlight and water and is more durable. Silicone can be either transparent or black. Your choice is a matter of taste, but please note that a transparent silicone case has a wider field of view, but may create a slight glare on the sight glass.

The porthole must withstand the chemical action of salt water, not turn into fragments when broken, and be mechanically strong. Tempered glass and several types of plastic meet these requirements (please note that a plastic porthole is much less durable, because it is more susceptible to abrasion, and high-quality plastics are expensive, therefore they are mainly used by professionals). The 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).

Selecting a mask.

The undermask space is the space bounded by the diver's face on one side and the mask on the other. It is filled with air. Of course, the larger it is, the more difficult it is to keep the body head down or in a horizontal position. Therefore, choose a mask with a low volume.

The hydrodynamic resistance depends on the size and shape of the mask. The smaller this value, the more comfortable the mask.

It is better to choose a mask with a special nose protrusion, it is designed to make it easier to blow your ears under water, and for this you need to pinch your nose. With this design, the field of view increases and the space under the mask decreases.

The masks are available with a convenient quick-adjusting mechanism for the fastening straps and with swivel buckles.

Such a mechanism allows you to tighten or loosen the belt without removing the mask and quickly select the optimal angle for the belt.

For people with visual impairments, two-lens masks have been developed and produced, in which ordinary glasses can be replaced with glasses with diopters, matched to your eyes.

For masks with replaceable lenses, special lenses with an anti-fog coating are produced. A layer of material is applied with inside glass, interfering with the formation of condensation, but does not affect the clarity of the image.

To test the mask for leaks, place it on your face without a strap and inhale slightly through your nose. If the mask "sucked" for a few seconds and is held on the face, then its shape suits you.

By the way, if you wear a mustache or light unshaven, then you should either shave, or come to terms with the slow but inevitable leakage of water under the mask. There is nothing wrong with that.

Keep in mind that the better the mask is selected, the less problems and inconveniences you will experience when diving. Therefore, I advise you to buy a mask in specialized stores, where there is a sufficient selection and where the sellers will help you choose exactly what suits you. You can use masks that can be rented at the resorts, but even so, I would advise you to take your own (proven) on the trip.
It is better to choose a mask from an assortment of well-known manufacturers, such as:
Aqualung - Technisub, Scorpena, OMER, Beuchat, Cressi, Mares, Riffe, Scubapro, Seac Sub, TUSA.

The cost of these masks is from 1300 to 6500 rubles, for snorkeling, diving and spearfishing, masks in the range from 1300 to 3000 rubles are quite suitable. I do not advise saving on a mask or buying models from "world-famous manufacturers".

A good mask is not only about reliability and comfort, but also your safety when diving. But .... everyone is "his own evil Pinocchio" ...

Councils for using the mask.

1. To prevent the glasses from fogging up, after the purchase, it is advisable to process the glass of the mask so that later it will fog up less. There are several ways to do this, I'll tell you about the simplest one. Processing the glass of the mask with tooth powder or paste, for this, apply alternately, on the inner and outer surface of the glass, tooth powder or paste, and then intensively rub it with your fingers or a toothbrush over the entire surface of the glass, and then rinse thoroughly with water. It is advisable to do this 2-3 times.

2. To prevent the glasses from fogging up during diving, you need to wipe the inside of the glass with saliva and rinse with water - this is the easiest and effective method... You can also use special anti-fogs or treat the glass with chalk powder or raw potatoes.

3. After swimming, be sure to rinse the mask with fresh clean water. Do not expose the mask to direct sunlight.

4. 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.

5. During swimming, water may enter the mask space. 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 the mask.

6. Influence of water pressure during diving on the mask.

When diving, you may feel uncomfortable due to the increased water pressure on the mask. To equalize the pressure, breathe out slowly into the mask through your nose.

7. Pressure on the ears.

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).

Choosing a set of diving equipment is a very difficult task to complete. For spearfishing to be successful, a person needs to have not only a high-quality and comfortable wetsuit, but also other important components, namely a mask, snorkel and fins.

The selection of a mask is a purely individual matter, it must be chosen according to the tightness of the fit, i.e. when you lean against the mask without pressure, it should follow the contour of your face, adhere evenly to your face and fit the anatomy. In other cases, water leakage occurs.

Some underwater hunters recommend leaning the mask and, as it were, sucking it with your nose to your face. But with this choice, you can suck in any jar, from mayonnaise to three-liter. But this does not mean that you can dive in them. I would not recommend this choice.

When choosing a mask, pay attention to the fact that the hunting mask should be black or dark with soft silicone. If you already have a transparent silicone mask, don't worry, you can hunt in it too. The plastic bridge inside the mask itself should not rest against the bridge of the nose and cause discomfort. There are also masks: with interchangeable diopters for people whose vision is deviated from the norm. Such a mask is disassembled and ordinary glasses are replaced with glasses with diopters.

The side-view mask gives visibility one and a half meters more than usual, but it has an increased space under the mask, which has a negative effect when diving to great depths. The deeper you are going to dive, the smaller the mask space should be. This becomes relevant when diving over 8 meters.

There are also masks with a huge view, which is important when diving up to 3 meters, or swimming on the surface. Almost nothing will hide from your gaze.

After purchasing the mask, you must thoroughly wash the glass with toothpaste and a brush, otherwise the mask will sweat a lot. Before diving, on the inner surface of the mask, it is recommended to add a special agent - antifog, or rub the inner surface with saliva, and then rinse with water.

Some "advisers" suggest burning the mask from the inside with an open fire from a lighter to remove the grease. I am totally against this method. An open fire naturally heats up the glass and at the junction of the glass with silicone it loses its elastic properties, and if this is done inaccurately, then the mask can be burned out altogether.

When buying a mask for my friend Nikolai Chernyshev, “experienced” divers burned it right in the store, but after the first dives, he still sweated and had to resort to the old method - toothpaste and a brush. So there is no need to be smart and risk your property.

We have chosen the mask, now we need to choose the simplest element in scuba diving - a snorkel.

Now manufacturers of the most different countries offer all kinds of selection of snorkels for spearfishing, but choosing something good and high quality for a beginner is often extremely difficult due to such an abundance and variety.

First of all, the tube should, as it were, follow the contours of your head, so that during breathing and movement under water, it does not interfere with you. It should also be soft so as not to pull out the mouthpiece. Tubes of medium softness and without valves are more suitable for spearfishing. When choosing a tube, an equally important part is the mouthpiece, which should not be too soft and fit in size.

Also, a water cushion will not interfere, which will make your swimming more comfortable and at the same time safe. This is usually needed when a wave hits you. Drops of water will simply flow down the water separator. But it will not save you from getting water into the snorkel when submerged. There are special valves for this. Such tubes are more suitable for swimming on the surface at sea.

So, the tube should be soft, with a comfortable mouthpiece and no bottom valves. On top of the tube, you can install additional devices so that water does not get there.

Fins are also the most important piece of equipment. The possibility of your comfortable swimming depends on them. Fins are selected for a specific task, or you can try to choose something universal, while sacrificing convenience in some situations. There are several basic types of fins: short fins with open heels are more suitable for divers, short fins with closed heels and long fins with closed and open heels.

The purpose of the long open-heel fins is still not very clear to me. Long fins already imply diving without scuba gear, and the adjustment straps in such fins give many inconveniences, such as loss of speed, loose fit, and the possibility of snagging when diving in grass, snags, nets and other gear and thickets. In my opinion, these fins are meant to show that they should be! Maybe I'm wrong ...

Let's start with fins for spearfishing, the simplest way of attaching a fins to a leg is a closed galoshe or shoe with an open heel and a heel strap at the back. Models with a heel strap have, of course, a wider range of adjustments, but they are not so comfortable and tight on the leg. Moreover, the ends of the straps often cling to one another and to ropes, cables, nets, including, this increases the risk and reduces comfort.

Fins for spearfishing with a whole galoshes are more convenient, but they must be selected by size and depending on the water temperature, fins for colder times are usually taken one or two sizes larger (because they will have to be worn on a thicker sock). When you put on the fins, check if there is any pressure on your foot from the edges or on the toe, if the heel falls off, lift your leg and shake the fin in different directions, it should not fall off, but hold tight, if everything is so, you can safely take them ...

The second criterion is blade length and softness. Short fins are 55-65 cm long, long ones - 85 - 95 cm are used for spearfishing, and sometimes a little longer, so they are preferred by most serious spearfishers. The use of fins longer than a meter is impractical. When choosing fins, you need to be quite clear about the conditions in which you are going to hunt or just swim. Will it be a sea, a lake, a strong current, thickets of grasses on the shallows, or depth awaits you. Are you going to dive all year round, or can you only afford a summer vacation?

Fins' blades can be made of rubber, thermoplastic, carbon fiber and other materials. The rubber is a bit stiff and heavy. Carbon blades are good, but very expensive and break very often. Therefore, I would recommend choosing replaceable thermoplastic blades. Black blades are hard, gray ones are softer. If for some reason you broke the blade, you can always buy them in a large assortment. It is not worth focusing on the choice of firms. This is not space technology, where every little thing matters. If you pay attention and compare different last firms, then you will not see significant differences, but only different brands on kalosh.

If you visit the pool, you can use ordinary rubber dolphin fins. They are small and soft, will fit easily in a bag and will always be clean, which will not cause problems in the pool. Because it is not always possible to perfectly wash hunting fins, which is not very pleasant for the pool workers, and you, too, would not like it if someone with dirty fins was swimming under your nose.

If you smoke, then quit this thankless occupation and your time under water will be added up to 1 minute in excess of your time. It is necessary to run more often, but unfortunately due to workload, problems, etc. not everyone succeeds. But in the morning, doing exercises for 15-20 minutes, I think, will not be difficult for anyone. Also breathing exercises, which can be done while driving a car, sitting in the office, at the cinema, etc. ... but that's another topic ...

I hope this article helped you a little in choosing a further set of equipment for scuba diving. You will become a spear hunter after purchasing an underwater gun.

If someone has any questions about the choice of equipment, write to the forum in the topic "spearfishing", I will gladly answer everyone and share my experience.

Happy dives!

D.V. Petrushin (Strannik)

In the recent past, choosing a diving mask was problematic. Domestic manufacturers offered no more than 2-3 models, and there were simply no foreign options. Therefore, it was necessary to support the domestic manufacturer and, in most cases, to select a face under a mask rather than a mask under the face.

On the this moment the situation has changed radically, more and more manufacturers offer a huge number of quality options, in the variety of which a beginner will not be confused for a long time and make the wrong choice. In order to make it easier to navigate in all the variety and choose what you need, pay attention to key points which we will list in this article.

1.Number of lenses.

Firstly, when choosing a mask, I recommend deciding and choosing between options for masks with two lenses or solid glass. Mono glass (single lens) is great for recreational shallow dives and provides better view and is the best option for beginners. Double glass (two lenses) is suitable for both beginners and professionals. This version of the masks is considered to be more reliable, they are suitable for deeper and more serious dives.

2.Trying on the mask

Secondly, the mask should ideally fit the shape of your face, so fitting is a must. Having chosen the model you like, you need to do a not at all complicated, but obligatory procedure: you should remove or "shave off" the hair from the forehead and lightly press the mask to the face, it should fit evenly and tightly. Then inhale with your nose, after which the mask should "stick" to your face and "stay on it forever." throughout the dive. If the mask does not pass this test, falls off the face when inhaling, or sits uncomfortably on the face, then this is not your option and you should get acquainted with another model.

3.Volume or submask space.

The undermask space is the distance between the diver's face on one side and the mask on the other. This space is filled with air. It is important to understand here that the larger its volume, the greater the lifting force of the mask and, accordingly, it is more difficult to keep the body horizontally or in the upside down position, this may seem like a trifle, but this is a fact. At the same time, masks with a large sub-mask space are suspected of less visibility, so it is wiser to choose a mask with a smaller sub-mask space.

4. Execution.

Diving mask can be different forms and colors, a wealth of choice, as they say, in taste and color. But one thing will remain unchanged, the silicone used in the mask should be matched to the color of the eyes, teeth, shoes, etc. will not work, it will be either transparent or black. The selection criterion is more a matter of taste, but it is still advisable to opt for the black color of silicone, since it is the most optimal. The upsides of clear silicone are that it slightly increases your visibility, but at the same time contributes to glare on the sight glass, which can interfere with your comfort. This is the main disadvantage, overlapping all the advantages of a mask with transparent silicone.

5. Mask head and neck strap.

It seems to be a simple thing, but there are nuances. Any diving mask has a split strap in the middle, as this option provides a more secure fit on the head. In addition, we recommend the use of a neoprene mask headband that attaches to the strap for added comfort while donning and a tighter fit when diving. Also great importance When choosing a diving mask, the convenience of the strap tension adjustment mechanism plays. Modern mechanisms make it possible to carry out the final adjustment of an already worn mask by pressing the belt clips and moving it in the desired direction. When adjusting the belt, you do not need to pull the belt until your eyes rest on the glass, otherwise during the dive you will scare away all the fish, and after the dive, the trace of the mask will remain on your face for at least 2-3 hours.

6. Masks for diving with diopters.

In case the diver has vision problems, it is necessary to choose a mask with diopters or with the possibility of installing diopter lenses. Diopter lenses can only be used with two-lens models. Lenses are not inserted in single lens versions. Masks with diopters are no longer a rarity, the largest selection of models is offered by the manufacturer TUSA, so if you have vision problems, I advise you to clarify initially about the possibility of replacing lenses and immediately purchase both a mask and lenses. Replacement of special qualifications does not require, and in the article "replacement of lenses on masks" we will consider this procedure in detail. Please note that when choosing a lens for a mask, it should be borne in mind that water gives a correction of 0.5. Thus, if your vision is -2, it is worth choosing lenses with a correction of -1.5.

The silicone that is used to make the part of the mask that is adjacent to the face can be transparent, black or colored. If you are using a black silicone mask, your vision will be narrowed down to a taper that the glass allows you to see. Colored silicone can be distracting. Transparent allows you to capture a much larger area. Depending on the purpose you are pursuing, you should choose one or another mask silicone color. For example, novice divers are advised to use transparent silicone.

To understand how to choose a mask that will not damage your eyesight, we explore the range of glasses. Swimming masks differ fundamentally in the number of glasses. Mono glass (one lens) is suitable for shallow diving, including beginners. Double glasses (two lenses) are suitable for deeper dives, this type of mask is considered to be more reliable. In addition, diopter masks can be found on the market today. Such masks are supplied immediately with lenses for correcting vision, most often the "step" of correction is 0.5. These masks are much more expensive than their colleagues, they are produced only by large firms. How to choose a diving mask if you need underwater vision correction? I advise you to consult with a specialist immediately before buying, since such a choice should be entrusted to a professional.

But if you still decide to choose a diving mask yourself, there is one more nuance worth knowing. Not so long ago, masks with ear protectors became available in ordinary stores. I want to draw your attention to the fact that they are recommended to be worn only by those who really have health problems. Now they can also choose a mask for swimming of the appropriate configuration and enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. In other cases, you should choose regular masks. Ear protection is inexpensive, but the convenience of such a dive is questionable.

So how to choose a snorkeling mask? Keep in mind the following parameters: the color of the silicone and the number of glasses. But two other important elements should not be forgotten. Of course, a nose clip is almost a more essential part of a mask than glasses. It should be comfortable, and this is the main thing. When putting on the mask, you should feel that you cannot inhale through your nose. How to choose a mask without trying on? It's very simple, buy a product from a trusted company. In such masks, the clip can be easily adjusted to fit any nose. Another element is the belt. Now there are few models where the belt is made of poor quality. However, it is important that it is right for you. The mask should not only fit snugly to the face, but also firmly adhere to it.

Many aspiring divers are wondering how to choose a mask for themselves. Indeed, in fact, already at this moment you make a choice, on which there, at a depth of several tens of meters, your life will depend. Choose wisely.

Diving mask– an item of diving equipment that allows the swimmer to see underwater and also ensures his safety.

Distinguish masks for broad(male) and narrow(female, child) face. Diving mask purchased with obligatory fitting... The main selection criterion- the mask should fit the shape of the face.

The mask should not be too loose, otherwise it will not provide an airtight fit to the face, water will penetrate under it.

The mask should not be too tight, otherwise it will squeeze the face.

• Apply the mask to the face without fastening the strap and make short inhale through the nose. A suitable mask will be sealed to the face.
• Then you need to make sure that the mask is comfortable. To do this, attach it to your face and make deep inhale through the nose. The mask should not press on the bridge of the nose, and the lower part of the obturator should not press on the nasolabial cavity.
• It is recommended to try on the snorkel together with the mask in order to assess the reliability of its attachment to the mask and the convenience of the entire structure.

You should also pay attention to the strap. It happens rubber, neoprene, silicone; one piece or with a clasp. The most comfortable mask is with a silicone strap with a fastener - it is more elastic and less harmful to the hair. The clasp can be made in the form of a clip or a twist latch.

It is desirable that the mask was mechanism adjustments strap. It allows you to quickly and easily adjust the strap without removing the mask from your head or injuring your hair.

Important: the less the mask weighs, the better: in this case, it will remain on the face, even if the strap is loosely pulled.

A practical option is a mask with soft strap attachments. These masks are easy to fold without the risk of breaking these mounts.

Design

Mask with large sub-mask space (300-400 ml) - used for diving and spearfishing at a depth of 10 m.

Mask with a small space under the mask or low profile (up to 200 ml) - the best option for freediving, snorkeling, spearfishing at a depth below 10 m. Unlike diving in these types of scuba diving, the swimmer has a small amount of air to equalize the mask pressure in order to avoid barotrauma to the face. To equalize the pressure, exhale through the nose.

Full face- an expensive mask, which is equipped with a built-in regulator and provides communication between divers. This mask allows breathing through the nose and mouth, but requires special training and is used for technical diving.

Solid cast- mask made of one-piece body and glass. Significantly increases vision due to the shorter eye-to-glass distance than conventional models.

Ear protection- the mask has special ear cups that cover the ears and prevent water from entering them, improve audibility, and facilitate blowing. Good for people with ear diseases.

Nose protrusion- enables the swimmer to easily equalize the pressure in the middle ear cavity and eliminate the suction of the mask to the face. Such a mask – the best option for diving.

Interesting: There is a popular belief among experienced divers that a mask without a nose protrusion is not a mask.

Obturator

Material

The mask body (obturator) is made of silicone. An outdated rubber version can still be found on sale in some places. Silicone is much stronger and more elastic than rubber, although it costs more. The silicone mask perfectly fits the face and does not irritate the skin.

Quite often you can find masks withdouble obturator. Such products are better protected from water penetration and are more convenient to use. In particular, they are easy to clean from water.

Color

Transparent– increases the field of view, as it allows you to see lateral movements, however, such an obturator turns yellow over time, which worsens the appearance of the mask. Good for diving, but not good for spearfishing, photography and snorkelling, as the transparent silicone reflects the sun's rays and thus reduces underwater visibility.

Important: the transparent shutter is sensitive to UV rays (turns yellow), therefore, such masks should not be left in the sun.

Black- more practical, as it does not fade and does not reflect the sun's rays - this contributes to a clear view under water. However, the black shutter limits the field of view.

Also meetcolored seals in masks for women and children.

Glass

Material

Diving masks are usually made of tempered glass. Occasionally you can find outdated masks made of ordinary glass or plastic. Tempered glass is characterized by increased resistance to mechanical stress, and with a strong impact it breaks into fragments with blunt edges, which are not capable of causing serious harm to the eyes.

Marking: "Tempered" (tempered glass), "Safety" (plastic).

Quantity

The number of glasses in the masks varies from 1 to 8.

• Glass mask- small space under the mask, good overview... Ideal for beginners and shallow dives.
• Mask with two glasses- it is used for diving to a depth of more than 40 m. Due to the relatively small space under the mask, such a mask can be easily blown out of the air. A mask with two glasses is considered universal.
• Multi-glass mask (4-8 glasses)- has a large space under the mask and distorts the view, increasing the number of objects depending on the number of glasses.

Divers and hunters with low vision should choose the more expensive mask with dioptric lenses. You can also stop at a mask with two glasses, which provides for the possibility of replacing ordinary glass with diopter lenses.

Important: for masks with replaceable lenses, lenses with an anti-fog coating are available. These lenses are usually removable. For masks with regular lenses, you can purchase a special liquid - antifog, which prevents condensation during swimming.

There are masks with bottom or side glasses. These models provide a wider view, which is useful for divers and underwater photographers, but over time, the mask can cause headaches and optic nerve stress. In addition, these masks distort the real position of objects.

Color

The color of the glasses in the mask is determined by the swimming location. For fresh water, yellow or light glasses are better, and darkened ones for sea water. Spearfishing masks have a tinted glass that prevents glare so as not to scare off fish.

Equipment

Purge valve – allows you to easily clean the space under the mask with one exhalation under water. However, an inoperative valve, for example, in the case of sand ingress, will cause more inconvenience than good. This mask is better suited for snorkelling than diving.

Valves are tough that require the help of your hands to clean, and soft.

Important: mask with valve - a good option for men with mustaches and beards, as facial hair prevents the mask from snuggling, which means that water can penetrate under it.

Info display– displays dive data in front of the swimmer's eyes. A convenient device, but seriously increases the weight and cost of the mask.

Built-in camera– allows the swimmer to take underwater photos and videos. However, the price of such a mask is quite high.

Flashlight- improves visibility under water. Such a device is especially important for masks with a built-in camera.

Breathing tube– provides breathing underwater without the use of scuba gear. A good choice- a tube with an upper (prevents water from entering) and a lower (allows you to blow out water that has entered). However, the disadvantage of such a tube is its lower reliability, since the valves can fail.

Important: optimal tube dimensions: diameter 2.5 cm, length - 40 cm. The longer the tube, the less the risk of water ingress, and the wider the diameter, the more air will enter the tube, however, exhaling or removing water from the tube will require more force.

• Before use, a new mask should be thoroughly rinsed with washing powder both outside and inside.
• The mask should be stored in a ventilated case to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
• After use, the mask is rinsed in fresh water.
Intex. They produce whole sets for swimming at very affordable prices. Such masks are only suitable for teaching children for the first time. As a rule, the cheapest models are made of lower quality silicone (it can "fade", dry out and crack), it is very difficult to choose a perfectly fitting mask among them.