leaking mask

[Tonto]

Ok, I'm a little nervous posting this as I feel its something that I should be able to sort myself and I'm not altogether sure if this is the right area to be posting in (I assume it will get moved to the right area if not )

I have bought a few masks over time, the only one that consistantly doesn't leak is a huge one that covers my nose as well and can only clear my ears by removing the reg to get my fingers to my nose, an x-vision, a big eyes and a cheapy off ebay all seemed ok out of the water, stuck to my face ok.

The x-vision never kept water out, the big eyes did for a while (15-20 dives?), and the cheapy worked properly up until recently.

It definitely helps if I shave but no garantie(?), I think I have put on a few pounds recently but not a massive amount, I've only recently started wearing a hood but not overlapping it, and I'm fairly sure my hair isn't under the mask.

I'm not sure on any of the timings, I only realise that the mask is constantly flooding when I have to bin the dive because I cant see anything, I mostly run with a little water inside.

I have been suggested to try vasaline but a buddy has a mustache and doesn't have any issues and doesn't use vasaline.

Any idea's what I'm doing wrong?
TIA

[Mdemon]

Try silicone grease rather than vaseline.

Always shave if you get leaks.

Watch for the mask riding up your top lip - especially if you're cold. Mine starts to work its way up and allows water to dribble in the grooves under my nose.

HTH.

[gunsentry]

Try a low profile mask; this will make clearing a lot easier if it floods.

I have a mustache also and found that the Beaver Atomic (in black of course) works excellently. I can clear this by exhaling through my nose and the water is purged out.
The mask fits most shaped faces and is easily adjusted. (you can pick these up on eBay for around £20.00)

Might be worth a trip to your local LDS and ask some advice and or try some different types.

Or even better if you are a member of a club that has pool nights ask your club mates to let you try out there masks.

[Janos]

I have a Big Eyes. Leaks like buggery without a hood, but wearing a hood it's fine.

Everyone's face is different, and so I'm not sure how many useful posts you'll get. I'm afraid that experimentation might be the only solution

Laters,
Janos

[Steve Summers]

I would try shaving about a quarter inch off your mustache from under your nose and try a low volume mask like the technisub venturi I have found them to be the best for me over the years.

To be honest though I get dives were I am forever clearing my mask for no apparent reason also remember that too tight will make it leak as well as too loose.

HTH.

Safe diving,
Steve

[Tonto]

Ah, ringing bells for me, the riding up the top lip bit seems vaugely familiar, I'll try dragging it downwards if it happens again (prob. tomorrow night)

I don't have a mustache I was using it as an example of someone that doesn't shave but doesn't have a problem, but I appreciate the comment that you sometimes have a mask problem for no reason, maybe I'm just having an off few dives.

I've just made a decision to take all the masks with me on the next dive and if one leaks try another.

Thanks for the input guys.
I'll post results if they're worth it.

[Jim Shaw]

This happens with me a lot too, I've tried various masks, but none of them ever seal properly, I've found that the best and quickest way to solve it, Is simply take off you mask under water and re fit again, it works for me every time

[Narked@50]

As mentioned, get a few friends to lend you masks to try, it can get expencive making mistakes.

Also try a different mouthpiece on your regs, or try a friends regs, it could be the problem?

I cut my hood away from my mask, never interfears now.

Different types/makes of silican have different properties at different temperatures, you mask may be fine in the pool but leak like a bitch in heat in the ocean at 10 degrees.

James

[RickG]

Another vote for the Beaver Atomic here - accidentaly bought two off ebay instead of one, so use one as a spare and to loan to buddies with mask problems. Must have let half a dozen people use it now and everyone seems to prefer it to their own mask. It hasn't got a solid plastic frame (the silicon goes right up the the glass) which seems to let it mould to the face a bit better, and means it folds up very small to stow as a spare.

Perhaps some sort of poll to find the most popular mask is in order...

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by Mart

...all seemed ok out of the water, stuck to my face ok.

If it fits out of the water and it doesn't fit in the water you're doing it up too tight. I have a Big-Eyes and I'd swear the darn thing tightens itself as I'm forever having to let it out a click or two. Also with the Big-Eyes it won't vent over my cheeks if I do a 'standard' mask clear so I have to tip my head so the water is where it does blow out.

nigelH