It’s a solid fact that when you go scuba diving, the physiology of the human eye wouldn’t enable you to see clearly underwater. That urges the need to use a scuba diving mask and select it cautiously.

In the primitive forms of diving, the ancients did not use any scuba masks or eye protection, except the Persians when they used tortoise shells to cover their eyes,which caused eye irritation, dryness, and other complications. The scuba mask is not only used for seeing vividly and easily underwater; it also helps with earth equalisation, avoidance of dizziness or ear drum rupture, and keeping your balance. In this article we will illustrate how to choose a suitable mask for beginners and which criteria to follow.

Scuba diving mask components

The scuba diving masks are especially designed, and manufactured from high-quality materials such as tempered glass and silicone, which are materials strong enough to withstand the underwater environment. Diving masks and other masks designed for surface water sports may be made of inferior materials, such as plastic lenses that can easily fog and scratch. These weak materials can break during diving. Although snorkelling masks may work well for snorkelling and other water sports, masks created for surface water sports do not work well for snorkelling.

The scuba mask consists of five parts: the lens, nose pocket, strap, frame, and skirt. The main purpose of the diving mask is to allow a diver to focus their eyes clearly. Divers can breathe and swim underwater without a mask (divers practice this training in a scuba course). However, they can’t see well enough to read a barometer or clearly distinguish hand signals without a mask.

The scuba mask, which is different from swimming glasses in that it must be fastened to the diver’s nose, increases comfort by allowing the diver to drain water from a leaky mask and prevent water from coming out of his nose. In scuba masks, the primary reason that the mask covers the diver’s nose is that it enables the diver to balance the air pressure in the diving mask as he descends.This prevents the mask from painfully sucking into the diver’s face and, in an extreme case, sucking out his eyeballs.

The steps to choosing a suitable scuba mask

Many people think that a mask is a mask! right? Which is a common fallacy, as there are many different styles of scuba masks available for recreational divers. Purge valves, optical lenses, and side windows may be helpful or annoying to a diver. It is important to understand the different types of diving masks and to have a clear idea of the type of mask you want before making your purchase.

• Don’t purchase your scuba mask from an online store; as a beginner, you may find the needed guidance in a dive shop. In addition, you won’t limit your options there because there are many different varieties and contemporary collections available.
• Don’t be hesitant to ask about the mask’s material from the vendor; the popular masks typically contain silicone rubber skirts that are either black or semi-transparent. Due to their ability to suppress glare, black-skirted masks are typically used by underwater photographers.
• We always say a brilliant diver is a safe diver; look for the features of scuba masks that are fitting and guarantee safety for you underwater. As we mentioned before, the mask should be tempered glass. Check the nose pocket. You have to help you equalise your ears smoothly by pinching your nose to clear your ears. Make sure to use a moderate nose pocket size, not too tight or too large. Also, check the adjustment straps carefully.
• Check to see which manufacturer sells dive masks with prescription lenses if you wear glasses, contacts, or have vision issues. You can be assured that you’ll make the most of your diving safely in this way.

You could also check out our article about: Scuba diving equipment; Beginner Scuba Equipment List

• Picking a mask with a plastic skirt is not advised as it could occasionally cause allergies and rashes! Additionally, there is a higher chance that the mask will leak water.
• Selecting a mask made of common glass and plastic is not recommended. Both substances are toxic or dangerous if accidentally broken, and they both have a history of leaking, cracking, and breaking.
• Never invest in an inferior or cheap mask! Although they all appear to be the same, comfortable, high-quality dive masks guarantee you a better diving experience! A fundamental skill you learn during your diving training is clearing your mask. This ability will come in handy if your mask starts to fog up. If you have to do this constantly because your mask is leaking, your underwater diving adventure will be ruined.

In a nutshell, when you are up to choosing a perfect fitting mask, you could make a list check based on the points we mentioned above, and always remember that safety always comes first, so don’t rush or scrimp in purchasing your diving gear.