How to find a mask that fits

Jon Whittle

******Prepping Your Mask**
There’s a reason all new dive masks fog so readily: A chemical used in the manufacturing process leaves a residue on the lens and traps water. It can also leach out of the skirt and strap material causing fogging to persist with frameless masks, which are designed to fold flat, bringing the skirt and strap into contact with the lens between dives.

The solution? Use toothpaste, Soft Scrub or a mask precleaner to clean the lens inside and out before you dive with the mask. Use your fingertips to apply the cleaner carefully to all areas of the lens and rinse thoroughly with fresh water. It may also help to wrap the strap of a frameless mask around the front of the lens for storage so it doesn’t rest against the inside lens where fog occurs. It’s also important to clean your mask lenses of sunscreen, sweat and salt residue before each dive.

Yes, spit will do the job in a pinch, but it also puts bacteria in your mask. We recommend using a defog solution or baby shampoo. To help prevent fogging, keep your mask immersed in fresh water between dives.

Getting a Good Fit
Not sure how to make sure your new mask fits your face? When choosing a mask, three sets of criteria are critically important: fit, fit and fit. As no two faces are alike, proper mask fitting needs to be a careful undertaking. Bring your regulator and snorkel on your shopping trip because these can affect the mask’s seal. Don’t fall for the old method of inhaling to see if a mask fits. Creating such a vacuum can provide a seal on even an improperly fitting mask.

For more tips on getting a leak-proof mask before you buy, check out Get a Leak-Proof Dive Mask.