How to Prepare a New Scuba Mask
Here are some Aussie Divers Phuket Tips on how to prepare and new scuba diving mask.
The Road to a Clearer Mask
There is a long going battle between scuba divers and foggy masks.
There are a number or reason why a scuba diving mask may fog and one of those reasons is that the mask was not correctly prepared at the time of purchase. All new scuba masks have a thing film on silicone on the lens that occurs during the manufacturing process. You will need to remove this silicone prior to wearing the mask and applying any defog products.
Some tips:
Tip #1:
One of the reasons a scuba mask fogs is through exhaled air through your nose. Your exhaled air come from your lung which will operate at body temperature. This will always be significantly warmer than the water you are diving in. Much the same as when your breath on a cold bathroom mirror or window of your care. One of the first steps to eliminate a foggy mask is less exhaling through your nose.
Tip #2:
It has been suggested on you can burn the silicone off with a cigarette lighter or similar. Please do not do this. We have been informed by a manufacture that the burnt silicone molecules/vapor will land or reform on the lenses making a harder more resilient version of silicone that was there previously. Further, the heat of teh lighter flame can heat the glass lens which in turn can deform the seal, making the mask leak.
Now onto preparing the mask. Please note that this method is for tempered glass masks, which virtually all scuba masks are. Please be aware that there are some plastic/polycarbonate lenses on the mask and using this method will most like scratch the lenses. Most tempered glass lenses will have a sticker on the front saying so. If you are not sure your scuba professional will be able to help you with this.
Step 1:
Find yourself some nice white toothpaste. You will need to use the gritty white toothpaste and not the gel style toothpaste. If you do not have toothpaste you can make a paste with water and bicarb soda.
Step 2:
With clean washed hand, remove any hand lotion or sunscreen you may have on (you should be getting good at this during COVID-19). Place a small dot in the inside of each mask about the size of a small coin. Make sure you do this on dry lenses. Using your fingers rub the toothpaste into the lens of the mask. Some suggest that you let the toothpaste dry for a while. You can do the front of the lenses as well although it is unlikely they will fog up.
Step 3:
Rinse the mask with fresh water. You will most likely see toothpaste accumulate in the sides and ditches of the mask. If this occurs get a wet soft cloth and wipe away the excess toothpaste.
Step 4:
Dry the mask with a soft cloth and place the mask into it its manufactures box. Always store masks dry and out of direct sunlight.
More Tips
Tip # 3:
You may need to do this process several times before the mask is good to go. Make sure the lenses are dry each time you start the process.
Tip # 4:
Training in chlorinated pools also tends to leave a buildup on your mask. You can use those process after pool sessions.
Tip #5:
To prevent mildew in your scuba mask, wash your mask with warm soapy water and dry before storing.
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Posted in Helpful Diving Info on .