Facial Hair

[GFD113]

No advantage for me, I just look 12 with out it

[PTAaron]

Had facial hair in one form or another since 1994 and have no intention of changing that.
As others have said - with the right mask it isn't a problem at all. Before a day of diving I will use my beard trimmer and make sure the mustache is trimmed short, and trim away a small line right under my nose which seems to help the mask seal.

Depending on the day I may have leak issues, or I may not... usually if I do have leaking issues I can resolve them by playing with the mask strap (tighter/looser/different position) and the mask will seal right up regardless of facial hair.

[snagel]

I think most people with beards put up with a little leakage. I typically have some and really not a problem. Two guys I dive with have rather thick beards and again not a big issue with them, but they also have a little leakage. They have tried different things on the beard, but didn't really help. There is a fine line between too loose and too tight on the mask strap. Too tight can leak sometimes worse than too loose.

When I'm sporting the full beard I have to say that my face is not as cold, but maybe that is all in my head.

S. Nagel

[it_mike]

Chapstick (wax) or Vaseline

[Scuba Pete]

I have been diving with a full beard for about a year now. My mask will leak none on some dives and like a sieve on others. I have not really figured it out all the way yet. I know of a cave diver that looks like a skinny Santa, full white beard and all. He has been diving since time began.

[cummings66]

That's how mine is, some dives no leaks and other dives I'd be better off with no mask at all. I've tried every mask out there except the Mares Liquid Silicone and none of them fit me right.

I leak sometimes without a beard too, laugh lines cause it and I've just learned to live with it. I mean it's no big deal anyhow. I've got the silicone stick to put on my mustache and it helps but feels kind of weird to me.

I recall a dive last year at Bennett Springs where the current was so strong that my normal small leak turned into a major leak. The mask would flood to the eyeballs in about 5 seconds, and even then I didn't abort the dive but I sure didn't enjoy it like I would have. The next dive, dry as a bell. My dive buddy saw nothing out of place either time, so I can't tell you why it does and doesn't leak, only that it does and always has. The only mask I have which doesn't leak is a FFM.

[bennerman]

Oh dear... and I was planning on bringing back the mutton-chop

[TommyD]

I use a "snorkeling" mask, a US Divers Cozumel Mask, and I have a goatee. My last dive was to 95 ft, w/ no leaks. I think as long as you wear a low volume mask, you won't have to worry about leaks.

[mm2002]

Originally Posted by TommyD

I use a "snorkeling" mask, a US Divers Cozumel Mask, and I have a goatee. My last dive was to 95 ft, w/ no leaks. I think as long as you wear a low volume mask, you won't have to worry about leaks.

So, what's the difference in a "snorkeling mask" vs. a "scuba mask"? And why doe's the volume of the mask determine the amount of leakage?

Just ball busting here, but seriously, at 95 ft, most decent masks will probably seal ok (once equalized). Most leakage problems occur at shallower depths. I have a mask that leaks like a bitch above 60 ft, but once at depth it seals off nice and cozy. See where I'm going here?

(plus, I noticed from your pic you keep the "stache" neatly trimmed well below your nose......helps a bunch)

[Zeagle Eagle]

Originally Posted by mm2002

So, what's the difference in a "snorkeling mask" vs. a "scuba mask"? And why doe's the volume of the mask determine the amount of leakage?

Just ball busting here, but seriously, at 95 ft, most decent masks will probably seal ok (once equalized). Most leakage problems occur at shallower depths. I have a mask that leaks like a bitch above 60 ft, but once at depth it seals off nice and cozy. See where I'm going here?

(plus, I noticed from your pic you keep the "stache" neatly trimmed well below your nose......helps a bunch)

IMHO, there is basically no difference between a snorkeling mask and a scuba mask. I have noticed that snorkeling masks tend to have thinner skirts. The most important thing about your mask is a good fit. I have gone through 20 or 30 masks in my diving. When you find a mask that fits perfectly buy two because you may never find another just like it. All our faces are shaped differently and what fits one may not fit another.
My mask seals the same at 10 feet as it does at 130 feet, maybe because I have a purge valve in my mask. I never get a "mask squeeze". I do have a fairly thick mustache and sometimes use food grade silicone around the skirt above my 'stash if I will be diving for several days. Mostly, I just put up with a tiny leak and with the purge I don't even notice it. It also leaves my hands free and I don't have to do the head bob to clear my mask. Some are blessed with a perfect mask face i.e., perfect fit and never need to clear. Unfortunately, I am not. Right now, I am using a cheap K-Mart $10 mask that performs better than my $119 Atomic Ultra Clear.