Water in the mask?

[wolfen42]

Originally Posted by cummings66

I think a mask does not need a strap. What my OW instructor told us and I think I agree with him is this. The strap is there to keep you from losing the mask only, it's not to hold it on your head. Therefore keep the strap loose. The mask will seal as long as it's on your face, if it fits. When you descend to an extent it will also stay put because pressure holds it there until you exhale to prevent the squeeze which will make you look like you lost a big fight and/or redefine red eye.

Thanks for that tip. I'll have to keep that in mind when setting the tightness of my mask strap in the future.

[cummings66]

I don't know how well it will work for you, you've got some hair under your nose there and that tends to make things leak. I've got buddies who use vaseline when they dive, they claim it will not leak if they coat the mustache in it. Not heavy like, just slick.

I'm clean shaven so I can't vouch for it.

[Penguino]

I have a moderately thick beard and I realized just this past weekend that I don't even have to shave a little line under my nose when I dive. My mask just doesn't leak. I think it all comes down to your mask fit - if its good, then you don't need to mess with anything else.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by wolfen42

Thanks for that tip. I'll have to keep that in mind when setting the tightness of my mask strap in the future.

True to a point, but be careful not to make it so loose it can get knocked off easily during a giant stride entry or surf entry!

[cogrwy]

Originally Posted by cummings66

I don't know how well it will work for you, you've got some hair under your nose there and that tends to make things leak. I've got buddies who use vaseline when they dive, they claim it will not leak if they coat the mustache in it. Not heavy like, just slick.

I'm clean shaven so I can't vouch for it.

Never tried the Vaseline thing, but I use a ScubaPro frameless mask and the only time it leaks is if I forget to shave right under my nose. Doesn't flood; just enough to be annoying.

[coral cowgirl]

Ditto on exhaling thru nose........that always makes my mask start leaking.

[ratown]

Whenever I exhale through the nose a little water comes into the nose pocket, and it is annoying enough to make me keep exhaling with my nose and the water doesn't leave..... I totally agree with the strap being there to keep you from losing the mask, not keeping it snug on your face. My strap is always really loose.

[mwhities]

I went through several masks to find one that fit me the best. The Oceanic Shadow. I still have to shave my upper lip to get it to seal... so I went from a goat tee to a soul patch. Problem solved.

[ratown]

Oceanic Shadow.

[mwhities]

Originally Posted by ratown

Oceanic Shadow.

and actually, I bought a XScuba frameless mask and it worked well too, minus fogging up all through the dive. So, I allowed a little water to enter and swished it around to "defog" the lens. (I just need to give it a good cleaning, it was brand new. :P) It's now my backup to my torn (still working) Shadow.