| As in any sport, having the right scuba/snorkeling | | | | the sides. Sometimes when snorkeling at the |
| gear is essential. Starting this sport with the | | | | surface, you will find that the reflection of the light |
| wrong scuba or snorkeling equipment can be | | | | may hinder your visibility. However having said |
| frustrating. There is nothing worse than snorkeling | | | | that, silicone masks are more durable and much |
| with a leaking mask or one that causes you | | | | more comfier to wear. These types of masks |
| irritation. So take your time when choosing your | | | | are more adapted for scuba diving. If you are |
| scuba dive mask, so that you may fully enjoy the | | | | thinking about taking it to another level though |
| experience of underwater sight seeing. | | | | scuba diving then I would recommend that you |
| The scuba dive/snorkeling mask is your window | | | | go for the silicone mask. |
| to the underwater world. This piece of equipment | | | | Features to look out when selecting a mask |
| allows you to see clearly underwater by creating | | | | When deciding on the type of mask to choose, I |
| an airspace. During immersions at depths greater | | | | recommend that the mask you are about to |
| than 3 meters, this airspace must be equalized to | | | | purchase contains the following features: |
| prevent the mask squeezing to your face. For | | | | - Wide field of vision to permit you with greater |
| this same reason, your nose must be enclosed in | | | | visibility underwater |
| the mask so you can exhale into it and equalize. | | | | - Good seal and comfortable skirting with a close |
| Masks which cover only the eyes and do not | | | | fit against your face |
| enclose the nose are only good for the surface | | | | - Tempered Glass lenses - These types of masks |
| but are not to be used for descents since you | | | | provide additional safety for the fact that if they |
| can not equalize with these types of masks. | | | | were to break, the glass is less likely to shatter in |
| Features of the scuba dive mask | | | | fine small pieces |
| The mask consists of the lenses also known as a | | | | - Nose pockets enabling you to equalize during |
| faceplate, a comfortable skirt and a head strap. | | | | descents |
| There are different types of styles and shapes. | | | | - Low profile mask which enables easier equalizing |
| These range from oval shaped models to lower | | | | due to the lesser volume of trapped air |
| internal volume masks and both may be made | | | | - An adjustable strap which can easily be locked in |
| from two different materials; Neoprene or silicone. | | | | place. (Note that some cheap masks have straps |
| Neoprene Rubber is usually black in color and | | | | which are fused to it. Should the strap tear, the |
| silicone is translucent. Both have their advantages | | | | mask will be rendered useless)This article is an |
| and disadvantages. | | | | excerpt from a series of informative guides |
| Neoprene masks and cheaper than silicone masks. | | | | appearing on under the equipment section of the |
| I find that for snorkeling, neoprene masks are | | | | site at |
| more adequate since they do not let light in from | | | | Copyright (c) 2010 All rights reserved. |