Prescription Diving Masks
Prescription Snorkeling Masks

If you want to explore deeper waters you need one thing, which is good clear vision. Choosing a good quality diving mask is central to an excellent marine experience. A diving mask is designed specifically for deep diving as opposed to snorkeling. The material used in a diving mask is of higher strength and quality than that of snorkeling. Therefore it’s unsafe to use a snorkeling mask for deep diving as it may break and cause a great deal of discomfort. The diving mask can also be converted to a corrective dive mask with Optic kit. You easily cut and stick the Optic kit to the inside of the mask hence you will be able to see clearly. Optic kit acts as corrective lenses for you mask and just like with your glasses, you can focus clearly every time you dive.

Like what has been highlighted, you need to choose a good quality mask, whether you are diving or snorkeling. A good quality corrective diving mask should have good quality glass. This is usually tempered glass so that if it breaks it shatters instead of hurting you. The rest of the mask is usually made of silicone and other composites that can easily withstand the pressures of the deep.

A diving mask has a nose-cover for pressure equalization when you are going down in the water. However sometimes water accumulates at the bottom of the nose and there are techniques used to force that water out. The same applies when there is fogging of the mask but a good mask should not easily fog up. You cannot use swimming goggles for diving because they don’t cover the nose, thus causing discomfort when water gets in your nose. This can also hinder good visibility and also cause disorientation while diving.

One of the most important requirements before you use a diving mask is to ensure that it fits properly. It should fit snugly but not too tight because you experience discomfort and even cause leakages. The straps should not kink which may also prevent formation of a water tight seal. It’s normal sometimes for a little water to enter the mask as long as it doesn’t affect function. One rule of thumb is to make sure the mask fits perfectly before you buy it. People have different facial contours so there is no one-size-fits-all mask. Ensure that the skirt of the mask wraps around your face without leaving any gaps. An easy way to do this is to inhale while the mask is on your face with no straps fastened. It should be held in place without any air being sucked in from outside. That tells you it makes a perfect seal when straps are applied. Good fit and good comfort come first before you look at the price. In addition, make sure there are no annoying blind spots which may affect your diving experience.

If you are a beginner it’s best to choose a clear diving mask as it allows more light in, hence you see more clearly. Professional divers especially photographers may opt for a darker diving mask as it reduces glare. There are many masks on the market to choose from but you are safer sticking to these basic principles. It’s important to be safe when underwater and a clear diving mask is the best option for you unless you are highly experienced. This is also important if you want diving goggles with prescription lenses.

Usually, the manufacturer gives you instruction on how to maintain your diving mask but there are basic principles. It’s important to apply a defog agent to the lens of your mask before you dive. This prevents fogging up of the lens which affects hand-eye coordination and spoils the diving experience. Some diving masks come with an anti-fog film which prevents fogging so any pretreatment is unnecessary.
If it’s not there you want to apply toothpaste to your diving mask then rinse with hot water. You repeat the process twice and make sure you apply it on the inside of the mask lens and the outside. Any toothpaste will do the job and the abrasive properties remove a layer which makes the diving mask prone to fogging. However, you still have to use the de-fog spray before you dive. Pre-treat your diving masks with toothpaste before you use them unless the manufacturer tells you that there is an anti-fog film. Remember this is a once-off procedure.

Bugs can feast on silicone so make sure you keep your diving mask in its original plastic container. The same applies to exposing your diving mask to the blazing sun. All that damage results in loss of integrity of your corrective dive mask and it becomes unsafe underwater. You shouldn’t fumble with the straps before you dive. Make sure you know how they are adjusted so that you can set up quickly your diving gear.

The market is flooded with diving masks of different sizes and colors. As long as you have good fit, good comfort and a nose cover you can easily select the best mask. There are 3 different types to choose from and these are described below.

• Single lens diving mask
  In this diving mask the lens panel is one unit which narrows around the nose. It is less common and is not ideal if you want to use diving goggles with corrective lenses.

• Double lens diving mask
  Like the name says, there are two lenses, one for each eye. It is very common and ideal when you want to use corrective lenses like Optic kit. The double lens technique makes it easy to make a low-profile diving mask. This gives better vision and easy removal of any water that finds its way into the mask. Keep in mind that a leaking mask is usually due to over-tightened straps. You need to loosen them a little (and not tighten) so that the silicone straps create a good seal.

• Full face diving mask
  These are mainly used for professional diving and have a section covering the eyes and a section covering the mouth or nose. This kind of diving mask is very comfortable such that you may end up using more air than the usual rate. Other accessories like communication equipment can be fitted in the mask so that you can chat with your colleagues while diving.