Dive
Equipment
Material.mask for scuba diving are most
often made from silicone rubber. Silicone
rubber is usually translu-cent, though
manufacturers sometimes add coloring
agents to make it black, or a translucent
color, which is primarily to make the
mask look better. Why not be styl-ish
and functional? softer and more comfortable,
usually looks better, and doesn't usually
irritate sensitive skin. You may see
neo-prene masks in use, but they tend
to be the exception rather than the
rule.
Selection
and Purchase
When
buying for scuba, your two most important
selection factors are fit and comfort.
This is particularly true for your mask,
because a mask that doesn't fit well
will leak and/or irri-tate you and take
the fun out of the dive. (Note: You
needn't suffer for style. Dive equipment
comes in enough variety that you can
accommodate fit and comfort first, yet
still look good. (You can buy almost
everything in basic black, too.)
To
test a mask for a proper fit, use the
"sniff" test. Place it gently
against your face without using the
strap and inhale through your nose.
A properly fitting mask will pull into
place by suction and stay as you inhale.
If vou have to push or twist the mask
to make it seal, try a different one.
After finding some that fit, try pinching
your nose with each on to see which
is easiest.
If
you need visual correction, some masks
accept prescription lenses. You'll want
to think about this when buying a mask,
because not all masks do this readily.
Your PADI Dive Center, Resort and Instructor
can help you pick out a mask that's
right for you. Manufacturers coat new
masks with a protective chemical that
you need to scrub off or you won't be
able to defog the mask. To remove the
film, use a soft cloth to gently scour
the glass inside and out with a non-gel
toothpaste or other low abrasion cleaner
with fine grit that can remove the film
without scratching the glass. Be sure
to do this before your confined water
dive.
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