How to Prepare a New Scuba Mask
A new scuba diving mask is a key piece of equipment that can greatly enhance your underwater experience and should be considered the first piece of equipment to purchase during your PADI Open Water Course. However, it requires proper preparation to ensure optimal performance and comfort. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, getting your mask ready for your dives involves more than just adjusting the straps. In this guide, Aussie Divers Phuket shares essential tips on how to prepare your new scuba diving mask, including techniques for preventing fogging and ensuring a snug fit, so you can dive with confidence and enjoy crystal-clear views of the underwater world.
The Road to a Clearer Mask
There is a long ongoing battle between scuba divers and foggy masks.
There are several reasons 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 thin film of silicone on the lens that occurs during the manufacturing process. You will need to remove this silicone before wearing the mask and applying any defog products.
Some Pro Tips:
Tip #1:
One of the reasons a scuba mask fogs is through exhaled air through your nose. Your exhaled air comes from your lungs which will operate at body temperature. This will always be significantly warmer than the water you are diving in. Much the same as when you breathe on a cold bathroom mirror or window of your car. One of the first steps to eliminate a foggy mask is less exhaling through your nose.
Tip #2:
It has been suggested that you can burn the silicone off with a cigarette lighter or similar. Please do not do this. We have been informed by a manufacturer that the burnt silicone molecules/vapour will land or reform on the lenses making a harder more resilient version of silicone that was there previously. Further, the heat of the lighter flame can heat the glass lens which in turn can deform and damage 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 (very few) plastic/polycarbonate lenses on the mask and using this method will most likely 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 hands, remove any hand lotion or sunscreen you may have on. Place a small dot on 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 its manufacturer 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 these processes again after pool sessions.
Tip #5:
To prevent mildew in your scuba mask, wash your mask with warm soapy water and dry well before storing it.
