For any divers, mask needs to fit our specific face, therefore between all other diving equipment we can rent, but its better to have our own mask. Before we buy our own mask, first we need to know what is it for?
1. The difference between diving mask and snorkling or swimming mask is that diving mask have strong tempered glass that can withstand the pressures of diving, while snorkling / swimming mask dont necessary have.
2. Next, after we know the difference we then need to know about the mask's skirt. A transparent skirt will allow for more light, and give wider sight and openness feeling, but it has tendency to cast images or reflection in the inside of the lens causing distraction and glares.
A dark skirt will reduce light and glares, give more focus feeling but also could give "claustrophobic" feeling to some people.
3. The last consideration is the volume of the mask, is it high volume or low volume mask. The air volume of mask is important on freediving but not as important on scuba diving; as a diver descends, water pressures creates an effect that pushes the mask against the divers face where a diver must equalize. To equalize the mask, a diver needs to exhale from the nose into the mask.
With a low volume mask, a freediver requires less air to equalize, and able to save more air for longer dive. But for a scuba divers, equalizing mask isnt really a problem, because they have a lot of air on their tank to use.
After considering this 3 things, i hope would help to narrow down the options and find the right mask that :) happy diving...
1. The difference between diving mask and snorkling or swimming mask is that diving mask have strong tempered glass that can withstand the pressures of diving, while snorkling / swimming mask dont necessary have.
2. Next, after we know the difference we then need to know about the mask's skirt. A transparent skirt will allow for more light, and give wider sight and openness feeling, but it has tendency to cast images or reflection in the inside of the lens causing distraction and glares.
A dark skirt will reduce light and glares, give more focus feeling but also could give "claustrophobic" feeling to some people.
Me personally will prefer clear silicon mask for recreational dive and silicon mask for more serious dive.
3. The last consideration is the volume of the mask, is it high volume or low volume mask. The air volume of mask is important on freediving but not as important on scuba diving; as a diver descends, water pressures creates an effect that pushes the mask against the divers face where a diver must equalize. To equalize the mask, a diver needs to exhale from the nose into the mask.
With a low volume mask, a freediver requires less air to equalize, and able to save more air for longer dive. But for a scuba divers, equalizing mask isnt really a problem, because they have a lot of air on their tank to use.
I have use a high volume mask and low volume mask, and i would always suggest low volume for comfort reason. It also feel so light and free
After considering this 3 things, i hope would help to narrow down the options and find the right mask that :) happy diving...
