Mask leaking

[bsktcase93]

I bought a new mask over the winter and used it multiple times diving since i got it with out any problems such as leaking...I go the pool yesterday and my mask kept leaking above my lip. Anyone know why?

[Jack Hammer]

Masks are a finicky creature, not fully sure anyone truly understands what prompts their mood swings.

[WaScubaDude]

I often have mask issues, here's what helps.

1. A good shave the night before, even up my cheeks.
2. Make sure the mask is not too tight, this can actualy mess with the seal.
3. A bit of vasoline or silicone on the seal helps.
4. The right mouth peice and the right bite on the mouth piece.
(I find if I am stressed and "holding" on too tight it tends to make the mask leak a bit at the bottom, I also used a rental reg with a smaller mouth peice that worked awsome, though the reg sucked.)

Laughing always breaks my mask seal, but I can't help it when diving is so much fun.

Good Luck!

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by WaScubaDude

I often have mask issues, here's what helps.

1. A good shave the night before, even up my cheeks.
2. Make sure the mask is not too tight, this can actualy mess with the seal.
3. A bit of vasoline or silicone on the seal helps.
4. The right mouth peice and the right bite on the mouth piece.
(I find if I am stressed and "holding" on too tight it tends to make the mask leak a bit at the bottom, I also used a rental reg with a smaller mouth peice that worked awsome, though the reg sucked.)

Laughing always breaks my mask seal, but I can't help it when diving is so much fun.

Good Luck!

Key point, re #1. A good shave (as opposed to stubble/need a shave) can mean the difference between a mask that leaks, and one that doesn't, for me.

Good call re #2, also... there's definitely a balance between too tight and too loose, and either will cause leaks.

I'd reserve #3 as a definite last resort, and consider replacing the mask instead.

[Largo]

Just embrace water in the mask. Diving is a wet sport.

[fisheater]

Also, you can't usually tell where the mask is leaking. Water coming in above the mask because a lock of hair is caught, will look like water seeping in from below.

So, you have to look everywhere for those damned leaks.

[mrmccoy]

Originally Posted by Largo

Just embrace water in the mask. Diving is a wet sport.

Or maybe no mask??

make sure there are no cuts in the skirt of the mask. I have always shaved before my dives but that could be part of your problem too.

[bsktcase93]

Originally Posted by fisheater

Also, you can't usually tell where the mask is leaking. Water coming in above the mask because a lock of hair is caught, will look like water seeping in from below.

So, you have to look everywhere for those damned leaks.

Yea about that.....I pretty sure thats not the problem cause I shaved my head...but I hadnt shaved in a few days so that just may have been the issue I was having.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by bsktcase93

Yea about that.....I pretty sure thats not the problem cause I shaved my head...but I hadnt shaved in a few days so that just may have been the issue I was having.

Unless your hairline comes all the way down your forehead, it's facial shaving (or lack thereof) that causes mask leaks, not head shaving. A shaved head (or even a buzz cut) just ensures no "locks" of hair exist to cause issues... that's a good thing.

Unless you're using a FFM like in your profile pic, then maybe the seal is higher up and could be affected? I don't have direct experience with FFMs.

[fisheater]

Originally Posted by bsktcase93

Yea about that.....I pretty sure thats not the problem cause I shaved my head...but I hadnt shaved in a few days so that just may have been the issue I was having.

Yep. Not shaving does that to me, every time.

For some reason, my wife finds it hilarious that I'll get up early to go diving and, without showering, will just put on my bathing suit and ratty pants and shirt. But, I'll shave. (I guess she grew up on AquaVelva and Shick ads, where men only shave to have super-hot models rub up against their cheeks.)