Learn to swim with a snorkel mask and snorkel. Swimming mask - how to choose a high-quality and comfortable model? Choose a mask and snorkel for scuba diving

Diving mask– a piece of diving equipment that allows the swimmer to see underwater and also ensures his safety.

There are masks for wide(male) and narrow(female, child) faces. The diving mask is purchased with mandatory fitting. Main selection criterion– the mask must fit the shape of your face.

The mask should not be too loose, otherwise it will not provide a tight fit to the face and water will penetrate under it.

The mask should not be too narrow, otherwise it will squeeze the face.

You should apply the mask to your face without fastening the strap and do short inhale through your nose. A suitable mask will adhere tightly to your face.
Then you need to make sure the mask is comfortable. To do this, apply it to your face and make deep inhale through your nose. The mask should not put pressure on the bridge of the nose, and the lower part of the seal should not put pressure on the nasolabial cavity.
It is recommended to try on the snorkel together with the mask to evaluate the reliability of its attachment to the mask and the convenience of the entire structure.

You should also pay attention to the strap. It happens rubber, neoprene, silicone; solid or with clasp. The most convenient mask is one with a silicone strap with a clasp - it is more elastic and less damaging to the hair. The fastener can be made in the form of a clip or a twist latch.

It is advisable to wear a mask was mechanism adjustments strap. It allows you to quickly and easily adjust the strap without removing the mask from your head or damaging your hair.

Important: The less the mask weighs, the better: in this case, it will remain on the face, even if the strap is loose.

A practical option is a mask with soft fasteners for a strap. Such masks can be folded conveniently without the risk of breaking these fasteners.

Design

Mask with a large sub-mask space (300-400 ml) – used for diving and spearfishing at depths of up to 10 m.

Mask with small submask space or low profile (up to 200 ml) – the optimal option for freediving, snorkeling, and spearfishing at depths below 10 m. Unlike diving, in these types of scuba diving the swimmer has a small amount of air to equalize the under-mask pressure to avoid barotrauma of the face. To equalize the pressure, you should exhale through your nose.

Full face- an expensive mask, which is equipped with a built-in regulator and provides communication between submariners. This mask allows breathing through the nose and mouth, but requires special training and is used for technical diving.

Solid cast– a mask made of a solid body and glass. Significantly increases visibility due to the shorter distance from the eyes to the glass than in conventional models.

Ear protection– the mask has special ear cups that cover the ears and prevent water from getting into them, improve hearing, and make it easier to blow through. Well suited for people suffering from ear diseases.

Nose ridge– allows the swimmer to easily equalize the pressure in the middle ear cavity and eliminate the suction of the mask to the face. Such a mask – the best option for diving.

Interesting: There is an opinion among experienced divers that a mask without a nose protrusion is not a mask.

Obturator

Material

The mask body (obturator) is made of silicone. The outdated rubber version can still be found on sale here and there. Silicone is much stronger and more elastic than rubber, although it is more expensive. The silicone mask fits the face perfectly and does not cause irritation to the skin.

Quite often you can find masks withdouble shutter. Such products are better protected from water penetration and are more convenient to use. In particular, they are easy to clean from water.

Color

Transparent– increases the field of view, as it allows you to see lateral movements, however, such a seal turns yellow over time, which worsens the appearance of the mask. A good option for diving, but not suitable for spearfishing, photography and snorkeling, since the transparent silicone reflects the sun's rays and thereby reduces visibility underwater.

Important: The transparent seal is sensitive to UV rays (turns yellow), so these masks should not be left in the sun.

Black- more practical, as it does not fade and does not reflect the sun's rays - this contributes to a clear view under water. However, the black shutter limits the field of view.

Also foundcolored seals in women's and children's masks.

Glass

Material

Diving masks are usually made of tempered glass. Occasionally you can find outdated masks made of ordinary glass or plastic. Tempered glass is characterized by increased resistance to mechanical stress, and upon a strong impact it breaks into fragments with blunt edges that are not capable of causing serious harm to the eyes.

Marking: “Tempered” (tempered glass), “Safety” (plastic).

Quantity

The number of glasses in masks varies from 1 to 8.

O bottom glass mask– small under-mask space, good review. The best option for beginners and diving to shallow depths.
Mask with two glasses– used for diving to a depth of more than 40 m. Thanks to the relatively small space under the mask, such a mask is easy to purge from air. A mask with two glasses is considered universal.
Multi-glass mask (4-8 glasses)– has a large under-mask space and distorts the view, increasing the number of objects depending on the number of glasses.

Divers and hunters with low vision should choose a more expensive mask with diopter lenses. You can also opt for a mask with two glasses, which provides the ability to replace regular glass with diopter lenses.

Important: For masks with replaceable lenses, lenses with anti-fog coating are available. These lenses are usually removable. For masks with regular lenses, you can purchase a special liquid - antifog, which prevents the formation of condensation while swimming.

There are masks with bottom or side windows. These models provide a wider view, which is useful for divers and underwater photographers, but over time, such a mask can cause headaches and eye strain. In addition, these masks distort the real position of objects.

Color

The color of the glasses in the mask is determined by where you are swimming. For fresh water, yellow or light glasses are better suited, and for sea water– darkened. Masks for spearfishing have tinted glass that does not give off glare so as not to scare away the fish.

Equipment

Cleaning valve – allows you to easily clean the space under the mask with one exhalation under water. However, a non-functioning valve, for example if sand gets in, will cause more inconvenience than benefit. This mask is better suited for snorkeling than diving.

There are valves tough that require manual assistance for cleaning, and soft.

Important: a mask with a valve is a good option for men with mustaches and beards, as facial hair prevents tight fit masks, which means water can penetrate under it.

Info display– displays dive data in front of the swimmer's eyes. A convenient device, but it seriously increases the weight and cost of the mask.

Built-in camera– allows the swimmer to take underwater photos and videos. However, the price of such a mask is quite high.

Flashlight– improves visibility under water. This device is especially relevant for masks with a built-in camera.

Breathing tube– Provides breathing underwater without the use of scuba gear. A good choice is a tube with a top (prevents water from entering) and a bottom (allows water to blow out) valve. However, the disadvantage of such a tube is its less reliability, since the valves may fail.

Important: optimal dimensions of the tube: diameter 2.5 cm, length - 40 cm. The longer the tube, the lower the risk of water getting in, and the wider the diameter, the greater the volume of air will enter the tube, but exhaling or removing water from the tube will require more effort.

Before use new mask should be washed thoroughly with washing powder both outside and inside.
The mask should be stored in a ventilated case to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
After use, the mask is rinsed in fresh water.

Main function

The human eye is not capable of clearly reproducing information about objects in a more dense, from an optical point of view, medium, such as water. There needs to be air space between the eye and the water.

The simplest device for this is swimming goggles. However, you should not dive with goggles to a depth of more than 1-2 meters. The pressure under the goggles at this depth becomes significantly less than the surrounding environment, and the goggles begin to act like suction cups. The result is a network of hemorrhages in the eyes (and this is in the best case!).

Therefore, for swimming underwater, it is necessary to use a mask that allows, by exhaling through the nose, to equalize the pressure in the space under the mask with the ambient pressure. According to generally accepted opinion, a mask is the main item in a submariner’s equipment.

Let us remind you that according to the international codes of all underwater federations, swimming without a mask is a distress signal.

Mask elements

Any mask consists of a soft body, a hard rim into which one or more portholes are inserted and a fastening strap.

Most modern masks have a silicone body (however, rubber masks are still available).

Silicone is softer and more elastic than rubber (although it is inferior in strength), it is more durable and less susceptible to the destructive effects of water and sunlight. Silicone can be either black or transparent.

The choice here is a matter of taste. However, please note that the clear silicone housing increases the field of view but may create a slight glare on the viewing glass.

The rim is made of metal or impact-resistant plastic.

The porthole must be mechanically strong, not form fragments with sharp edges when broken, and withstand the chemical effects of sea water. These requirements are met by some types of plastics (but they are expensive, so they are used mainly by professionals) and tempered glass. The porthole must be marked “TEMPERED” for glass and “SAFETY” for plastic.

The mask strap can be made of either rubber or silicone (the latter, of course, is preferable).

Selecting a mask

The choice of masks is wide. You can choose from numerous colors and shapes. The best masks provide maximum visibility with a minimum amount of under-mask space.

The space bounded by the mask on one side and the submariner's face on the other is called the under-mask space. This space is filled with air. Naturally, the larger it is, the greater the lifting force and the more difficult it is to keep the body horizontal or head down. Therefore, it is better to choose a mask with a small volume (about 200 mm3).

The wider the angle of view, the better. The viewing angle depends on the size and shape of the porthole.

The hydrodynamic resistance depends on the size and shape of the mask. The smaller this value, the more comfortable the mask.

To blow your ears under water, you need to hold your nose. When snorkeling, this can be done with one hand. If you have a breathing apparatus mouthpiece in your mouth, then it is difficult to perform this procedure with one hand. This is where a mask with a separate protrusion for the nose comes to the rescue.

This design allows you to blow with one hand; in addition, the under-mask space is reduced and the field of view is increased by bringing the porthole closer to the eyes, and the hydrodynamic resistance is also reduced.

To compensate for human vision deficiencies, two-lens masks with replaceable lenses have been developed and produced. Diopter glasses are selected for each eye separately. All masks are supplied at the factory ordinary glasses, which can be replaced within a few minutes with dioptric ones tailored to your eyes. Now there is no need to look for special contact lenses with micro holes to compensate for pressure.

For masks with replaceable lenses, lenses with anti-fog coating are available. A layer of material applied to the inside of the glass prevents individual drops of moisture from falling out, but does not affect the clarity of the image.

Masks are available with valves built into the bottom. To clear the water from the mask, you can do without using your hands; just exhale through your nose.

Many manufacturers produce masks with a convenient mechanism for quickly adjusting the fastening straps and with swivel buckles.

This mechanism allows you to tighten or loosen the belt without removing the mask and quickly select the optimal angle of the belt position.

To check the mask for tightness, place it on your face without a belt and take a light breath through your nose.

If the mask “sucks” and stays on your face, then its shape suits you.

By the way, if you wear a mustache, you should either get rid of it or accept the slow but inevitable leakage of water. There's nothing wrong with that.

Instructions for using the mask

A. How to remove water from under the mask.

During swimming, water can enter the space under the mask. This can be caused by hair caught under the flange of the mask, or if you laugh, talk or yawn.

To remove water, tilt your head back, press the top of the mask (if your mask has a valve, there is no need to press the top edge) and exhale through your nose.

Water must be removed through the lower flange of the mask. This procedure can be repeated until the water is completely removed from under the mask.

When immersed in water, the glass of the mask may fog up. To prevent fogging, simply wipe the inside of the glass with saliva and rinse with water. This procedure reliably prevents fogging.

After diving, rinse the mask with clean, fresh water. Try not to leave the mask under your straight lines for a long time. sun rays.

Protect the glass from contact with hard objects, and the body from excessive and prolonged deformation. For storage and transportation, it is better to use special plastic boxes.

B. The effect of water pressure on the mask during diving.

When diving, you may experience discomfort as a result of increased water pressure on the mask.

This occurs due to the pressure difference between the outside and inside of the mask. These pressures need to be equalized by slowly exhaling through the nose into the mask.

C. Pressure on the eardrums.

Another unpleasant result of increased pressure can be discomfort in your ears.

This occurs due to the difference in pressure on the eardrum of water on one side and air on the other.

To equalize these pressures it is necessary to “blow out”, i.e. pinch your nose with your fingers and exhale through your nose (it is very convenient to blow through a mask with a protrusion for the nose).

In order for the human eye to correctly perceive the surrounding space, it needs an air gap, because only at the border with air the distance, direction, and dimensions are correctly determined. Refraction of rays occurs in water, which the organ of vision interprets differently.

If water comes into direct contact with the shell of the eye, then perception is disrupted, as a result of which all the parameters of surrounding objects change. The second problem is retinal irritation and high blood pressure water, which is acceptable for a simple diver to shallow depths, but for a hunter it is fraught with loss of prey.

The mask allows you to create a layer between the eye and water, protect against pollution, and leaves a person feeling familiar. This is doubly important, since the other organs of touch (hearing and smell) practically do not work under water. In this article we will look at all the nuances of choosing a vital attribute of an underwater hunter - a mask.

Mask requirements

Let's look at what parameters a high-quality spearfishing mask should meet.

Obturator

A special soft layer between the body and the skin, made of elastic material. There are two options here:

Rubber. Used in cheap options for tourists. It can be used for hunting, but problems with tightness can hardly be avoided;
Silicone. The most suitable option is black, eliminating glare. It is characterized by the absence of allergic reactions, fits well to the face, and has a long service life.

Hull and portholes

The rim is made of metal or impact-resistant plastic. Experts do not see a fundamental difference between them; it all depends on preferences or the strength of the fixation.

Portholes can be:

Glass. In this case, you must definitely look for the “tempered” marking;
Plastic. For this case, the quality is guaranteed by the inscription “safety”.

Fastening strap

This element directly fixes the equipment on the head. High-quality masks are equipped with an elastic strap (usually made of rubber, silicone or rubberized fabric), which has:

Quick adjustment mechanism. Unlike a classic buckle, such an element will allow you to tighten or loosen your equipment without removing it;
Swivel buckles, allowing you to choose the most convenient angle for attaching the mask to your head.

Mask with diopters

What should people with vision problems do? Manufacturers have found a solution for this category of potential hunters. It makes no sense to develop equipment that would accommodate glasses, and experts categorically do not recommend using lenses under water. Therefore, masks with diopters were developed. What is their feature?

There are several types of such masks:

Lenses instead of glass. This procedure is done to order; the initial configuration includes a regular porthole. For people with good financial resources, this is best choice. The technician changes the optics designed for you right on the spot, and there are no problems with subsequent operation;
Special optical adapter. On top of a regular transparent surface, lenses are inserted into special mounts. This is a cheaper option with a large selection of optics directly from a specialized store, but when spearfishing, problems with fogging are likely, which significantly reduces the pleasure of the process;
Stickers on the inside of the glass, a kind of lens for a mask. The film is equipped with a special glue that provides good adhesion without affecting transparency. In the price-quality category, this way out of the situation will be optimal.

How to choose

When ordering special glasses, you need to focus on your glasses. Today, manufacturers can offer solutions for the following visual diseases:

simple correction for reduced acuity;
astigmatism;
the ability to use bifocal glasses with two zones.

Optics for underwater masks usually have a gradation of one diopter (less often 0.5). It is easy to correct the perception of people with vision from -6 to +1.5. Otherwise, a custom order is required.

How to choose a mask

Now that the general information about this piece of scuba equipment is known, it's time to figure out what to look for when choosing. The assortment on store shelves today is quite decent, so you can easily get confused.

Let's look at the basic requirements:

Minimum volume of under-mask space. This is an air gap between the face and the structure. It is considered ideal when the volume of air inside does not exceed 200 cubic millimeters. In other words, the eyelashes should move freely, but nothing more. Otherwise, it will be difficult to keep your head under water, and taking a horizontal position will require too much strength;
Material of manufacture. As mentioned above, it is better to use dark silicone as a seal and high-quality glass with the appropriate marks (see above). The frame is made of metal or plastic, this does not affect the quality;
Face shape. Exist universal options, but they are ineffective. A quality mask is available in wide or narrow shapes. The product should not sag or put too much pressure during fitting. In both cases, the equipment does not suit your face type;
Comfortable strap. It is best to use the silicone option, but neoprene is ideal for girls with long hair;
Correct selection of diopters. The mask should be clearly visible, this is the main indicator the right choice optics. When the ideal option is selected, take glass 1 diopter lower, so it will be clearly visible under water;
Appearance. You have to like the equipment, otherwise it will be psychologically difficult to use it.

How to increase your fish catch?

Over 7 years of active fishing, I have found dozens of ways to improve the bite. Here are the most effective ones:

Bite activator. This pheromone additive attracts fish most strongly in cold and warm water. .
Promotion gear sensitivity. Read the appropriate manuals for your specific type of gear.
Lures based pheromones.

Popular models

Let's look at the best options:

Suitable for different types face, equipped with high-quality silicone and glass. It is allowed to work at a depth of up to 15 meters, although 5 is considered optimal. The main disadvantage is that in very cold water it begins to leak water. The average price will be 3000 – 3500 rubles.

It is characterized by a minimum submask volume and excellent insulating properties at any water temperature. Suitable for any face type. The disadvantage is that he really dislikes stubble, and even more so a mustache, and it is almost impossible to choose glasses with diopters. Suitable for any depth, but designed for deep sea diving. The price category is the same - 3200 rubles.

From Ideal option if you need optics. The glasses are easy to find and inserted quickly. The mask fits perfectly, has minimal internal air volume, and has excellent visibility. Ideal conditions operation - fresh or salt water up to 12 meters deep. The only drawback is that when replacing the glass, it starts to leak and you can’t do without a special branded expensive glue from the same manufacturer. The price corresponds to the quality - 4600 rubles.

One of best options ever presented in our country. Fits perfectly on the face, has high-quality components, excellent visibility. The option of inserting glasses with diopters is provided by the manufacturer, so replacement problems do not arise. No shortcomings have been identified on the forums; all complaints are related to the inexperience of the hunter or the initial wrong choice of size and shape. The cost will be about 3000 rubles.

Several reviews from equipment owners

Oleg, St. Petersburg.

I bought the Omer Alien mask. Very high quality silicone, fits well even on my rather large face. The disadvantage is that the viewing angle is small for me and at a depth of more than three meters it begins to put pressure on the bridge of the nose.

Svyatoslav, Sochi.

My choice is OMER Abyss. Fits well, quality workmanship. During operation, it never leaked in any weather and water temperature. Classic performance The strap makes the mask fit well. I didn’t dive deeper than 7 meters, but to this depth there was no pressure on the bridge of my nose.

Egor, Moscow.

I decided to replace the mask. At one time I bought Omer Alien. There are no complaints about the quality, and at the beginning there was enough visibility. But with experience I realized that the big disadvantage of this equipment is the lack of visibility. Now I'm looking for something better in this regard with the same quality.

Nikita, Moscow.

Purchased Seac sub Italica. A friend recommended this, I ordered it online from Italy. Happy with the purchase so far. Excellent visibility, does not allow water to pass through (although I did not dive deeper than 12 meters). The only problem was fogging, but burning the glass solved the problem once and for all.

Evgeniy, Novorossiysk.

I tried masks from Omer and Technisub. The visibility of the latter is of course much better, but I liked the silicone and glass better in the first option. But still, a compromise was found, I settled on Technisab. Good quality, a tiny amount of space inside and good visibility, which is still needed for good hunting.

Problems in use

There are standard problems that may appear when using a mask:

Fogging. Before hunting, the inside should be moistened with saliva and allowed to dry. Before putting on the mask, rinse it with water from a pond. It is not recommended to remove equipment during a hunt, only at the end. Well, the car rule, when after heavy drinking the day before, the windows fog up, also works here;
Water is leaking. It is a rare case when the equipment is to blame; more often, the reason is the user himself. A few steps to prevent leakage:
- Remove excess facial hair;
- After putting it on, we run the finger of our bare hand along the seal, smoothing it, forcing the folded parts to take their natural shape;
- During the hunt we show complete calm; the violent reaction of the facial muscles leads to the appearance of small holes between the skin and the silicone. And water under the pressure of depth easily seeps in there.

Should you use tinted or mirror glass?

There is a legend that a fish quickly leaves when it sees the eyes of a hunter. This is not a fact confirmed by science, because the inhabitants of the water element are more focused on their midline. Therefore, the presence of unnecessary movements or turmoil plays a much larger role in failure.

But there are many inconveniences, the main ones are:

worsening vision;
decreased illumination, especially in fresh water conditions;
the slightest mechanical damage to the glass leads to visible results.

Here are some tips from the professionals:

If water gets under the equipment, it can be removed directly without leaving the water. The steps are repeated until the liquid is completely removed. What do you need:
- the head tilts back;
- there is pressure on the top of the mask;
- exhale through the nose;
When diving to great depths, pressure on the eardrums increases, causing painful sensations. To avoid this, you need to regularly blow out using the following method:
- cover your nose with your hand;
- blowing air out of the lungs;
Solving the problem of fogging once and for all is possible if there is a thin protective film on the glass that causes the problem. Film removal options:
- the mask is dipped in Coca-Cola for an hour, then washed with water;
- non-abrasive toothpaste and brush, 10 minutes of effort guarantees success;
- burning with a match, but only for experienced hunters.

How to choose a diving mask

Main function
The human eye is not capable of clearly reproducing information about objects in a more dense, from an optical point of view, medium, such as water. There needs to be air space between the eye and the water.

Let us remind you that according to the international codes of all underwater federations, swimming without a mask is a distress signal.

Mask elements
Any mask consists of a soft body, a hard rim into which one or more portholes are inserted and a fastening strap.

Most modern masks have a silicone body (however, rubber masks are still available).

The choice here is a matter of taste. However, please note that the clear silicone housing increases the field of view but may create a slight glare on the viewing glass.

The rim is made of metal or impact-resistant plastic.

The mask strap can be made of either rubber or silicone (the latter, of course, is preferable).

Selecting a mask

The choice of masks is wide. You can choose from numerous colors and shapes. The best masks provide maximum visibility with a minimum amount of under-mask space.

The wider the angle of view, the better. The viewing angle depends on the size and shape of the porthole.

The hydrodynamic resistance depends on the size and shape of the mask. The smaller this value, the more comfortable the mask.

The masks are produced with a convenient mechanism for quick adjustment of the fastening straps and with rotary buckles.

This mechanism allows you to tighten or loosen the belt without removing the mask and quickly select the optimal angle of the belt position.

To check the mask for tightness, place it on your face without a belt and take a light breath through your nose.

If the mask “sucks” and stays on your face, this means that its shape suits you.

By the way, if you wear a mustache or are slightly stubbled, you should either shave or accept the slow but inevitable leakage of water under the mask. There's nothing wrong with that.

How to snorkel

(instructions for using the mask)
A. How to remove water from under the mask.

During swimming, water can enter the space under the mask. This can be caused by hair caught under the flange of the mask, or if you laugh, talk or yawn.

To remove water, tilt your head back, press the top of the mask (if your mask has a valve, there is no need to press the top edge) and exhale through your nose.

Water must be removed through the lower flange of the mask. This procedure can be repeated until the water is completely removed from under the mask.

When immersed in water, the glass of the mask may fog up. To prevent fogging, simply wipe the inside of the glass with saliva and rinse with water. This procedure reliably prevents fogging.

After diving, rinse the mask with clean, fresh water. Try not to leave the mask in direct sunlight for a long time.

Protect the glass from contact with hard objects, and the body from excessive and prolonged deformation. For storage and transportation, it is better to use special plastic boxes.

B. The effect of water pressure on the mask during diving.

When diving, you may experience discomfort as a result of increased water pressure on the mask.

This occurs due to the pressure difference between the outside and inside of the mask. These pressures need to be equalized by slowly exhaling through the nose into the mask.

C. Pressure on the eardrums.

Another unpleasant result of increased pressure can be discomfort in your ears.

This occurs due to the difference in pressure on the eardrum of water on one side and air on the other.

When purchasing, choose the tube that is easy to use, suits you and provides minimal breathing resistance. To select the correct breathing tube, place the mouthpiece in your mouth so that its flange is located between your lips and teeth. In this case, the tube itself should be located near the left ear. Choose the most comfortable position for the mouthpiece in your mouth: the mouthpiece should be positioned straight, not too loose, but not too tight, otherwise your jaw will get tired.

Breathing tubes are available with or without a drain valve.

Tubes with a drain valve at the bottom of the mouthpiece or on the side of it have a special one-way release valve.
By its design, it is a non-return valve of the poppet type, which simplifies the process of cleaning the tube from water.
The principle of operation of the valve is very simple: when you swim on the surface of the water, the valve is below the “waterline” of the tube, and according to the law of communicating vessels, water from the tube, pressing the valve plate from the seat, flows outward until its level in the tube is equal to the level of the water surface .

All you have to do is remove about a third of the original volume of water from the tube by blowing, which requires significantly less energy than when cleaning a regular tube without a drain valve.

Learning to swim with a snorkel mask and snorkel

Wear the mask correctly, taking into account all recommendations for its use. Insert the mouthpiece of the tube into your mouth while holding it.
Having entered the water up to your waist or chest, lie down calmly on the water, with your arms and legs stretched out freely or spread out to the sides. Place your face with the mask in the water and breathe through the breathing tube. Try to relax your muscles and not tense. Don't hold your breath. Try to breathe evenly and freely. Don't be alarmed if for the first time you feel like there isn't enough air. This happens. Equipment has nothing to do with it.
Stand on the bottom with your feet, take the mouthpiece out of your mouth, take a break and start all over again. If you still can’t, breathe through the tube, just standing in the water up to your waist, then lower your face into the water and continue breathing.
If water gets into the tube, blow it out sharply. The water will come out through the tube.
Swim along the shore. Monitor the correct implementation of the recommendations offered to you and at the same time observe the beauty of the underwater world that opens up before you.
If it doesn’t work, go ashore, have a good rest, warm up, remember once again what and how to do, and only then start a new attempt. If it doesn't work the first time, it will probably work the tenth time. In difficult times, think that hundreds of thousands of deep sea lovers have successfully passed this path before you. Good luck!

One of the common myths is that diving is only practiced by professionals and is not accessible to ordinary people. When you watch people on the beach wearing wetsuits and other equipment, it seems that diving is an incredibly difficult and dangerous activity, and, on top of everything else, boring.

If you look back at recent history - 10 years ago - you can say that people with good skills became divers. physical training, for example, athletes and special forces. Today, diving is very popular among the population. This activity is suitable for women, children and the elderly. If we analyze the dynamics of the development of diving in our country, we can safely say that this sport is just beginning its development.

Why is it a necessary element of diver's equipment?

According to most divers, a scuba diving mask is the main element of a diver's equipment. It should be noted that swimming without a mask is considered a distress signal according to all codes of underwater federations.

Scuba diving mask - what is it for?

In water, the human eye is not able to reproduce information about objects in the surrounding world with the same clarity as on land. Therefore, free space is necessary between the eye and the water.

A scuba diving mask is one of the simplest devices created for this purpose.

Why is a mask necessary for diving and not goggles? Because it is undesirable to dive to a depth of more than 1-2 meters, since with a significant difference in pressure, the glasses will begin to function like suction cups. A network of hemorrhages in the eyes is the least of the troubles that are guaranteed to you in this case. Therefore, to dive to great depths, you need a scuba diving mask, since, due to your exhalation through your nose, it is able to equalize the pressure between the environment and the space under the mask.

During diving, as the water pressure on the mask increases, you may experience discomfort. This happens because there is a difference in pressure between the outside and inside of the diving equipment. You can equalize the pressure if you exhale slowly through your nose into the mask.

What does a swimming mask consist of?

Each diver's mask consists of a hard rim, into which one or more straps are built in to secure equipment on the face, and a soft body. The vast majority of modern masks have a silicone body. It should be noted that it may create glare on the glass, but significantly increases the diver's viewing angle.

The mask strap can be made of silicone or rubber. Of course, the first option is more preferable, since silicone is many times softer than rubber and more elastic.

How to choose a diving mask?

The choice of masks for diving today is quite wide. This equipment comes in a wide range of colors and shapes. The best diving mask offers the maximum viewing angle with the minimum amount of space under the mask.

The space limited by the diver's face on one side and the mask on the other is called the under-mask space, which is filled with air. Of course, the larger the space under the mask, the more difficult it is to keep the body head down or in a horizontal position, since there is more air due to the presence of air. That is why it is necessary to choose a mask with a smaller volume of under-mask space. A volume of about 200 cubic millimeters is considered normal.

When is a mask considered ideal?

If it matches your face shape. Masks are produced specifically for narrow or wide. That is, they are not dimensionless. When trying on a mask, you need to pay attention to how it fits to your face. A mask that is too big for you will seem to sag. This is dangerous because water can easily get under it. If the mask is small, it will put too much pressure on your face, which will create a lot of inconvenience.
The strap is comfortable. Many divers prefer masks with fabric or neoprene straps. But silicone ones are considered more reliable, as they fit more tightly to the head, reducing the likelihood that the mask will fall. However, girls who have long hair, it will be more convenient if they use masks with neoprene straps.
Does not affect visual acuity. If a diver uses lenses or wears glasses, then it is better for him to make a custom-made mask with diopters. Otherwise, it may reduce visual acuity, which will lead to discomfort when using it.
If, with a small volume of under-mask space, it has a large viewing angle. When you try on a mask, check whether it is comfortable to look from the sides. Typically, the closer the glass of the mask is to the eyes, the better its visibility. In addition, glass that is located close is easier to clean.
You like the look. You will be spending quite a long time with this mask, so it will be better if you like it - its shape and color should match your taste. Naturally, for this you should not sacrifice the practicality and convenience of the model.

Scuba diving is selected according to the same scheme.

How to remove water from under a mask

During diving and swimming, it is possible that water may enter the submask space. This can happen due to hair caught under the flange of the equipment, or if you yawn, laugh or talk.

In order to remove water that has gotten under the mask, you need to tilt your head back, press the top of the mask and exhale through your nose. As long as your mask has a valve, there is no need to press down on the top edge.

If you did everything correctly, the water will drain through the bottom flange. These steps can be repeated until the liquid is completely removed.

What to do if your diving mask fogs up?

The mask may fog up while diving. In order to prevent fogging, you just need to wipe the glass of the equipment from the inside with saliva, and then rinse with water. This action will help prevent the mask from fogging.

After immersion, the mask should be rinsed well in fresh water. It is not recommended to leave this piece of equipment in direct sunlight for a long time.

How about eardrums?

One of the most unpleasant results of increased blood pressure can be discomfort in the ears. Why is this happening? Due to the presence of a pressure difference inside the ear, where the air is, and outside, where the water is. In order to equalize the pressure, you need to “blow out”, that is, pinch your nose with your fingers and try to exhale. If your mask has a protrusion for the nose, then it will be extremely easy for you to do the above.

Where to buy a swimming mask?

Many diving products can be bought in supply stores, for example, they are offered by Sportmaster. Masks for scuba diving are usually presented there in a large assortment. Which equipment manufacturing company is considered the best? It is believed that the best diving masks are made by the Japanese company Tusa. The company has existed since 1952 and was one of the first to produce diving equipment. The Tusa diving mask will surely become your reliable guide to the underwater world.