Scuba diving masks

The mask is the first piece of diving equipment we recommend you buy. Even starting with the very first dive in the Open Water Scuba Diver course. Below we’ll explain why, how to choose a diving mask, and what matters less (or not at all) when making this choice.

Why it matters

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A proper mask makes the difference between a comfortable dive and one that makes you question the choices you’ve made in life :). Seriously though, would you prefer a dive where you enjoy the scenery, marine life and relax, or one where you have to clear water from your mask every two minutes, your eyes constantly sting and all you want is for it to end sooner?

If you’ve ever tried opening your eyes underwater without a mask you’ve probably noticed that our eyes are not built to see clearly underwater. That’s why we need a small pocket of air between the eyes and the water so our eyes can focus. This is where the diving mask comes in — it creates that air space and also protects our eyes from constant contact with the water.

Why it’s worth having your own mask

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First and foremost because you need one that actually fits you. The shape of our faces varies quite a lot — the ideal mask for your diving buddy might be a small disaster for you, and there’s really no way to know until you try it on. Once you find the right mask you’ll want to keep it.

But that’s not all — rental equipment is (at least with us) properly disinfected using purpose-made disinfectants that ensure safety from this point of view. Note the “at least with us” part. Unfortunately I still quite often see (maybe a bit less often than before COVID though) the “disinfection” process in some centers consisting only of a quick rinse with water. And I don’t know about you, but that’s not exactly something I’d want to put on my face. Ugh.

Last but not least, masks are among the most affordable pieces of diving equipment. On top of that, they also have the advantage of not being useful exclusively for scuba diving. You probably go snorkeling even when you’re not in the mood for diving, right? Same mask. Going to the swimming pool? You can use the same mask. I even know people who use one when cutting onions :).

How to choose a diving mask

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The most important criterion: how well it fits

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It’s simple: the right mask means you won’t spend your dives clearing water from it every two minutes. Sure, we teach you how to do that safely, but do you really need to do it 50 times per dive?

The steps for trying on a mask are very easy:

• Place the mask on your face without using the strap
• Inhale gently through your nose, just enough to seal the mask to your face
• Tilt your head downward
• If the mask stays on your face while your face is pointing down, it likely fits quite well
• Otherwise, move on to the next one until you find one that fits

Bonus tip: it’s better to do the test above while using a regulator or at least a snorkel. The shape of the face (especially the lower part) changes slightly when you do this.

Materials

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The lens (or lenses) must be made from tempered glass — you can usually find this information on the label, but most masks also have a small inscription somewhere on the lens that says “tempered” or simply a small “T”. Tempered glass is much more resistant to pressure and scratches and is the standard for diving masks.

The skirt, or the part that touches and seals against the face. The standard material you should look for is silicone (not PVC). Silicone lasts longer and seals better. Some masks also use softer silicone on the part that contacts the face, which improves sealing. Many also use hypoallergenic silicone.

Dual lens or single lens

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This mostly comes down to personal preference.

Dual-lens masks:

• usually have a lower internal volume
• allow prescription lenses to be installed
• are generally more compact

Single-lens masks:

• offer a slightly wider field of view
• sometimes have a larger internal volume
• are generally more popular in recreational diving

Colored, transparent or black silicone

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Again, this mostly comes down to style and preference. Transparent (or rather translucent) silicone is… translucent — meaning you’ll be able to see shapes through it. The downside is that over time it tends to yellow and become opaque. Beyond that, it mostly comes down to your personal style.

Framed vs frameless masks

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The difference lies in how the lenses are attached to the silicone part — some masks use a plastic frame, while others have the silicone molded directly onto the lenses.

Here too it mostly comes down to preference, but you’ll notice that technical divers tend to prefer frameless masks. The reason is simple — fewer parts, which means a lower chance of something failing.

Common mistakes when buying a mask

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Some mistakes we often see include:

• Choosing strictly based on looks or brand
• Overtightening the strap
• Buying without trying it on
• Calling them “diving goggles” — I know it sounds similar, but trust me, it’s better to call it a mask :)

In conclusion

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The diving mask is a very simple, affordable and extremely important piece of equipment for your comfort.

A good mask:

• Fits you perfectly
• Has tempered glass lenses
• Uses high-quality silicone
• Remains comfortable even after a one-hour dive

A quality mask can be used for many years, which makes it a good investment — you’ll notice that many divers stick with the same model once they find one that fits.

The equipment you start with can be used for a month or a lifetime. That’s why we include guidance for equipment selection even in our first course level — Open Water Scuba Diver. If we’re both in Bucharest we can even go shopping with you. Because we prefer you make a good choice from the start. We also include an equipment maintenance workshop in the same course, because we want the gear you choose to stay with you — in good condition — for as long as possible.

If you have any questions, or if you already have a mask and are ready for your first course, get in touch and we can talk for 30 minutes with no obligation.