? on full masks

[SHAGGY]

Was looking for some opinions on full masks. We just ordered a couple of dry suits and was thinking of the full face masks as well but not sure since I really like my ST-1 reg and really wasnt wanting to change my second stage, but I was just courious what kinda temps I can expect to work in and still be able to perform my job without having to go to a full mask. I realize that everyones tolerance of the cold is different, but I was just looking for a few different opinions on those who have tried both.

[texdiveguy]

You might consider an 'ice cap'....these work really well. Around $40

Henderson USA - Detail

[kancho]

Where do you get the ice cap?

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by kancho

Where do you get the ice cap?

Any of your Henderson Scuba Gear dealers can order it for you.

[cummings66]

I can tolerate 36 degrees F without a FFM, but to be honest it's much more comfortable with a FFM.

The real question is if you can afford it and want to be comfortable then why not just buy it? It is nicer than any mask.

There are issues when diving FFM's you should be aware of, air sharing is one of the biggies.

[therealtreehugger]

What is a FFM?

[RoadRacer1978]

FFM = Full Face Mask

[SHAGGY]

Originally Posted by cummings66

I can tolerate 36 degrees F without a FFM, but to be honest it's much more comfortable with a FFM.

The real question is if you can afford it and want to be comfortable then why not just buy it? It is nicer than any mask.

There are issues when diving FFM's you should be aware of, air sharing is one of the biggies.

Well,.... money isnt a real big issue since my dept will be paying for the gear. I assume that there is a class that can teach you what you need to know about diving with the FFM?

My main reason for not ordering a FFM was that both myself and my partner are very comfortable with the regs that we have and figured that going with a FFM would just add to the learning curve needed to fully get comfortable with our dry suits. Plus,.... Our Lake that we work on here in North East Texas wont get nearly as cold as the lakes up north. I'm just not sure what temps that we can work in and still perform our jobs in reasonable comfort. We have several dives that will be fairly long comming up soon, and that should be the time that we know for sure. I have talked with some search and rescue guys who have stated that they have dove in water so cold while their bodies were warm in their dry suits,.... they couldnt feel their regs in their mouths because their face and lips were so cold. Those kinda dives dont fit my defination of comfortable diving,.........LOL

[therealtreehugger]

We have several dives that will be fairly long comming up soon,

How do you define fairly long?

[WV Diver]

What type of work do you do?

We use the FFM in my work also but for the voice communications aspects not cold temperatures. They would be very nice for cold water. The people that you buy the masks from should give you some pool time and teach you some of the special techniques and equipment issues that go along with a FFM. They did for us. It wasn't a certification just familiarization of the equipment and how it works.

Having a regular spare mask with you, in your DS pocket, in case you have to remove the FFM and switch to your octo or share air is a big one. I will tell you that if you need to do this in very cold water that it is a big shock to your system when that cold water hits your face when you remove the FFM. A BIG shock.

I think that if you are working and thus likely diving a lot for long hours it would be smart and safer to go ahead a bite the bullet here and get what will make you more comfortable and safer. Make sure that the dealer has basic skill training and familiarizes you with the mask prior to diving them.

As a side note, some people have difficulty with the masks fitting and clearing their ears and what not. Better to try them out if you can prior to purchase. Out of the half dozen or so folks that dive with us at any given time, one guy can't wear them because it says it fatigues his jaws and gives him a headache.