Scuba masks are designed to provide an airtight seal around the wearer’s eyes so that they may see clearly. They are frequently used by free-divers, snorkelers, and scuba divers. Whether you are diving for recreational or for business, you want a dive mask that will protect you, even at the deepest levels of water. For this reason, you should exercise caution and follow these tips when purchasing your dive mask.
Airtight Seal
One of the most important things to consider is how airtight your scuba mask is when underwater. If your diving mask is not tight enough, it may allow water to come in, thus defeating its purpose. Your mask should be have a tight fit all the way around your mask, on both sides, across the forehead, and under the nose. If your mask does not provide you with an airtight fit, then you should purchase a different size or a different dive mask.
Skirt Material
The mask skirt is the material that goes around the base of the entire mask. This material touches your skin, and is responsible for the airtight seal around your face. The two most commonly used materials for dive mask skirts include plastic and silicone. While masks with plastic skirts are cheaper, they are also less flexible, do not have a long life, and cannot give you the airtight seal that you need.
Color of Your Mask Skirt
Two mask skirt color options include clear and black. If you are a photographer, a black mask skirt can block light that may enter from the sides of your mask, to allow you to better see your camera screen or viewfinder. However, the black skirt also has a more claustrophobic feel, and it limits your peripheral vision.
Lens Material and Shape
Two of the most common materials used for the lens of a dive mask include plastic and glass. Quality lenses will be made of quality, impact-resistant glass. Glass allows for a clearer view, is more durable, and is more scratch-resistant than plastic.
There are also several different lens shapes to choose from. The classic dive mask has one big lens for your nose and eye area. It has a high volume and seals poorly. The one lens mask features a nose pocket and a single lens area, to allow the wearer to look forward without obstructing their view. The disadvantage to these masks is that they do not leave a lot of room for your nose bridge. The two lens dive mask has a split front window, has a lower volume, and leaves room for your nose bridge. The three/four lens masks have the advantage of side windows to allow for peripheral vision. This does, however, increase air volume. The final lens option is the frameless mask, which uses just a silicone skirt and a single front lens. These are low volume, lightweight, and flexible, however, you may have difficulty finding the perfect fit.
