The Best Scuba Diving Mask

The mask is probably one of the most ancient pieces Scuba equipment. Long before the invention of the Aqualung and scuba diving, people had been snorkeling and skin diving using goggles or some kind of dive mask. The dive mask is what allows you to see underwater. Today there are many different dive masks available, even those that can be custom made to match your eyeglass prescription, or have built in computers. So rather then talk about what is the "best" dive mask, because a mask is a very individual piece of equipment, here are a few mask basics you should know before purchasing any kind of scuba diving mask.

The most important aspect to selecting a scuba dive mask is size and the right fit. The mask must make a proper seal on your face, yet not be so tight that it causes discomfort. A mask is made up of the skirt, the frame, and the lenses. Today most masks also have a nose pocket. Scuba Mask materials are rubber or silicone. Rubber masks tend to be cheaper, silicone masks more flexible. When we are talking about the size of a scuba diving mask we are really referring to two things, the fit of the size of the skirt around your face that makes the seal; and the volume of the mask, which is the distance from your eyes to the glass. Masks are referred to as low, medium or high volume. Small volume masks usually seem lighter on the face, and are easier to clear. Photographers prefer low volume masks as the smaller distance between the eyes and the mask makes for less distortion. Similarly small volume mask make it easier to read gauges and dials, however if you have a large face or a "classic" nose you may have to wear a high volume mask. Remember the strap on a Scuba mask is there to merely hold the mask in place, NOT tighten upon your face, if the mask is not making a tight seal, and water is seeping in, the solution is not to make the strap tighter. The mask is the wrong size for you face, and you need one with a smaller skirt. Traditional Scuba Masks were either clear or black. The clear silicone design lets in more light, and some prefer the increased visibility, underwater photographers once again prefer black as it lets in no distracting sidelight and lets the Scuba diver focus on only what is ahead of them. Today masks are also available in a variety of colors to match wet suits and other dive wear.

Today lenses on masks are more often the Dual Pane design, then the more traditional single pane. Contrary to popular belief the dual panes do not cause "binocular vision". Lenses on the scuba mask are always made of tempered glass to prevent shattering, and often lenses can be replaced with lenses of different colors or prescription lenses. There are frameless masks that do not allow lenses to be interchanged so if you need prescription glass, do not go with a frameless mask. One tip if you do require a prescription dive mask, always carry it in your carry on luggage, if you scuba dive gear bag gets lost, you will be able to re-rent everything except your prescription dive mask. Another scuba mask tip - all masks when fresh out of the box have a layer of silicone on them from the manufacturing process - this is what causes them to fog up. The silicone can be removed from the mask by brushing the inside