Nose valve on mask

[Suther2136]

I did some of my OW training with a borrowed purge mask. Hated it 'cause I had trouble working around the purge device to equalize. Masks are just too easy to clear the old fashion way.

[Splitlip]

The down sides to purge masks:
1. Some people find them uncomfortable if the nose contacts the devise.
2. Equalizing can be an issue trying to get the fingers around the nose while avoiding the purge.
3. A grain of sand opr crystalized salt can cause them to leak.
4. They can fail. Many manufacturers offer spare parts when the mask is purchased.
5. The masks tend be higher volume

The upside:
Easier to clear especially without the use of hands or if you suffer from a neck condition that makes tilting your head back difficult.

[dludwig]

They seem like they would be pretty useful but I still remember how the guy described them when I was buying my 1st mask & fins. "One more thing to go wrong"

[WV Diver]

Damselfish covered it very well. My wife ordered a new mask and accidentally got one with a purge, tried it, kept it and loves it. I tried it a few times but it hurts my nose. If it is working properly it almost seems like cheating. But I have to agree it is just one more weak link in the chain.

[reservecops]

I wear the Oceanic Ion 2 with a purge valve. It's the exact same mask (low volume, etc.) as the Ion, but with the valve. I have no problems clearing or equalizing.

Depending upon what I'm doing, I might clear using the 'normal' (tilt) method without using the purge valve, or I might use the purge valve. Personally, I like having the option.

As far as the comment about worrying that it will malfunction at "90 or 100 feet", the pressure isn't any different there than at 35 feet - unless it's sucking your face off of your skull because you don't equalize the airspace in your mask.

As for failing at all - while nobody can gurantee that it will never happen, I've yet to read any articles on the various discussion forums that I frequent that detail a massive failure of a purge valve. Heck, I'd be willing to bet that there are FAR more people with non-purge masks that enjoy a regular amount of water in their mask due to improper fitting (bad seal, strap too tight, etc.) vs. a failing purge valve.

[BobArnold8265]

I owned a mask with a purge valve and honestly didn't like it. If you get any grit in the valve it'll leak and over time they do seem to wear out. Clearing the old fashioned way certainly isn't difficult so there's really no need to even have a purge valve.

[coralcrazed]

the diaphram can fail when subjected to excessive sun. than it will deform and leak... don't like'em.

[sudnit5]

Worst mask I have ever had, leaked and was uncomfortable.

[reservecops]

Originally Posted by BobArnold8265

Clearing the old fashioned way certainly isn't difficult so there's really no need to even have a purge valve.

No, it certainly isn't difficult, but that doesn't mean some people don't have a need for it.

For me, sometimes it's much easier to look down and blow a little air out of my nose versus having to stop, get vertical, use my hand/arm to hold the top of the mask, tilt my head, and then clear.

To me, it's a time saver in certain situations. Not to mention it takes less energy, which means less oxygen.

Originally Posted by sudnit5

Worst mask I have ever had, leaked and was uncomfortable.

Worst mask I ever had that leaked and was uncomfortable happened to be a non-purge style mask.

[coralcrazed]

Originally Posted by reservecops

No, it certainly isn't difficult, but that doesn't mean some people don't have a need for it.

For me, sometimes it's much easier to look down and blow a little air out of my nose versus having to stop, get vertical, use my hand/arm to hold the top of the mask, tilt my head, and then clear.

To me, it's a time saver in certain situations. Not to mention it takes less energy, which means less oxygen.

Worst mask I ever had that leaked and was uncomfortable happened to be a non-purge style mask.

I don't have to get verticle to clear a non purge mask...in fact I can look down or be upside down. Its a matter of whick partof the mask you are holding down. I also think that raising your arm to hold a portion of a mask is hardly an energy guzzler or oxygen wasting.