Snorkels

I’m shopping for inexpensive eye wear and a snorkel (fins to be rented on site). Can I just get pool-style goggles instead of the bulky mask? Is it that important to have my nose covered?

If you just stay on (or not far below) the surface, you could get by with goggles. However, I think you may have problems with leaks if you attach a relatively heavy & bulky snorkel to the swim goggles. Swim goggles seal over a relatively small area compared to a dive mask, and part of the sealing mechanism is the tightness of the strap. A well-fitting dive mask will create a seal pretty much regardless of the strap tightness, and the strap is there mostly just to keep the mask in place.

When it comes to breathing, as long as you can focus on breathing exclusively through your mouth you shouldn’t inhale water through your nose. If you’re not used to breathing through a Snorkel or regulator, though, you could have a tendency to inhale some water wearing goggles. With some practice this probably wouldn’t be the main reason you would choose a mask over goggles.

Where a dive mask is absolutely necessary instead of goggles is if you plan to hold your breath and dive to any significant depth below the surface. I’m afraid I don’t know what that exact depth is, but 20 or 30 feet seems like a reasonable number to guess at. Both dive masks and goggles allow you to see better underwater by creating an air space around your eyes which allow your eyes to focus (without a mask everything appears blurry underwater). Air, like any gas, is compressible meaning as you apply pressure to it it will compress into a smaller volume. As you dive under water, the weight of the water above you applies pressure to air spaces in and around your body, which includes your goggles and mask. (As an aside, this is why you feel pressure/pain in your ears if you dive deep enough underwater since your middle ear contains an air space.) As the air around your eyes compresses it takes up less volume and since nature abhors a vacuum something else must give to try to replace that volume…which ends up being the soft tissues around and in your eyes. The result is what we call a "mask squeeze". Here is an image of a classic example of a mask squeeze: http://www.bsac14.org.uk/photo/masksq2w.jpg . While it looks terrible, it is usually a minor injury and will clear up on its own like any bruise. There is no permanent damage to the eye as long as the redness is limited to the whites of the eyes and does not affect the irises (colored portion).

The reason that a nose pocket exists on a dive mask is pretty much just so that the air space inside the mask can be equalized with the water pressure outside the mask. This is done by exhaling a little air into the mask through the nose. Equalizing the pressure is what prevents a mask squeeze. Since swim goggles have no nose pocket, there is no way to equalize the pressure inside the goggles and so a mask squeeze cannot be prevented.

Anyway, even if you don’t intend to do any significant breath-hold diving, I think you will probably be better off with a well-fitting dive mask instead of goggles because of the leak risk. The whole purpose of snorkeling is to see what’s below you, and if your goggles should leak all the time you won’t have much fun.

Good luck with whatever your choose!

my contax are a -2.75, so do i need a -2.75 scuba mask? where can i buy one cheap online b4 i goo to thailand?

If you know your eyeglass prescription you can buy a mask that will accept prescription lenses. Tusa several options and you can even find them in many of the Dive Shops and sporting goods stores that carry dive equipment. Sport Chalet for instance.

Follow the link below and look at the two-window designs. The specs will tell you if they accept corrective lenses.

Snorkelhq.com/wpshopping/uploads/2002721824.jpeg” alt=”Oceanic Veo 180 ” />
With a custom sized mouthpiece for comfort, the Explorer Snorkel features a high-volume purge valve for easy clearing. High-volume purge valve for easy clearing. Custom sized, 100% liquid silicone mouthpiece. Dry deflector top. Easy to use mask strap clip.

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I am going on a cruise in Feb. and I wear glasses. I was wondering if its possible to snorkel while wearing your glasses, since i have never been. I wasn’t sure if the glasses would get in the way of the skin/Snorkel mask water barrier. Has anyone with glasses done this? I can’t leave them on the beach, my eyes are so bad i’d never be able to see anything if i took them off! Thanks.

There’s a good chance you’d probably lose your glasses. I’d suggest daily contacts. They’re cheaper than regular contacts, and are good for a 24-hour wear. You can just put them in right before you get in the water, and then throw them away when you get out. Good luck and have fun on your cruise!

Value Mask Fin and Snorkel Package Because every diver has different needs Divers Supply has taken our best selling items from each category to help fit your specific needs as a diver. And don’t forget that Divers Supply offers full manufacturers warranty on all items we sell.   The package includes Mask, Fin and snorkel with many upgrade options.  This is your chance to get a great deal on a Value Mask, Snorkel and Fin Package! Just choose a product from each category.

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Brother accidently ran over it, is it cheaper to buy a new one or get one replaced?

ABSOLUTELY NEW!

I’ve never checked on it but my guess is that it would be expensive to replace the glass. Besides that, you would have to make sure it is tempered glass. This is very important because if you broke it while it was on your face, tempered glass brakes into small pieces that are not as dangerous as large dagger-like pieces.

And by the way… they don’t break from pressure… only from impact.

Cressi Sub Big Eye Mask, Snorkel And Fin Package This package comes comes with the Cressi Rondine Pro Light Fins, Cressi Big Eye Mask and Edge Folding Snorkel.

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I haven’t bought any Snorkeling gear in a while. I’m looking for a mask and snorkel (already have fins). The last mask I bought leaked and it was from a local dive shop…seemed to fit in the shop but didn’t cut it in the water! I don’t remember the brand, but I’d like to buy some new gear and I’m wondering the best brand to buy? I’m on a budget, would like to keep it under $70 if possible. Thanks!!

This is a law for buying swining gear i learned when you try a mask on leave it on for a little and when you take it off there should be a light line left around you face and then it should be good, no to dark of a line because then it may be to tight… Another tip is that to pervent fog is to take your mask dip it in fresh tap water and put toothpaste on the inside and outside of the lens and rub it around this will disolve away the line layer of linner on the lens… and some times a raw potoato rubed on the lens works too but i have never tried… GOOD LUCK : )

Is it absolutely essential for me to buy VISION CORRECTION (PRESCRIPTION) diving mask or is the same available in places where we generally Snorkel or scuba-dive .
They are not available in my country and have to order through my sister in the US . If I do , I am a wee bit apprehensive about the after sales service or repair incase of damage ,etc
..But if I have no other option but to buy the same ..someone please do suggest sites where I can get good deals .thanks all ..:)

http://www.seavisionusa.com/index.shtml

I have used the top link for my vision correction for a long time. I have since had eye surgery and no longer need them for general vision. Since I have need for reading, I do use then when doing close up work underwater (yep, they are bifocals)

I do recommend the seavision googles.

A couple other links are below, I have not tried them.

http://www.safevision.net/divinglead.html

http://www.discountdivers.com/fx/msf_masks_1.html

Snorkel Mask” />

Comfortable snorkeling mask with corrective lenses allow you to see clearly underwater.One-size-fits-all face skirt, fits a wide range of facesHypoallergenic, silicone face skirt provides ultimate comfort”Pro Glide” buckle system provides quick and easy strap adjustmentsTwo-window low volume design provides excellent peripheral visionExpanded top-to-bottom viewing window.

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