Water getting into the nose section of my mask

[stanw]

I just went into the pool to test out my mask and fins before an upcoming dive, and the bottom of my mask kept taking in some water around my nose. The strap was not too tight and nothing seemed to be breaking the seal, my hair or anything else. I cleared it and it would come back in small amounts.

What could be causing the water to get into the nose part of my mask?

Thanks.

[Rhodesaz]

Do you have a mustache or beard?
I have a mustache and I have to trim at the nose or I get leaks.
You could pull the mask tighter but you may get "mask squeeze" at depth if you do.
Clearing my mask is not an issue and I have to clear at least once during a 60 minute dive.
Perhaps, try a different style mask and see if the leak goes away.
I presume the mask is clean and free of debris.

[stanw]

I do not have a mustache or beard, and I have used this mask on about 10 dives and multiple times in a pool, and never had this problem before though during my last dive about a year ago I had this problem, though I thought it may have had something to do with the GoPro strapped to my head. There is no debris that I can see either. I can clear it, though the water seems to come right back in small amounts shortly after...

[Scuba_Noob]

Have you sucked in through your nose with the mask on to completely verify the seal? Maybe there's something that you can't see.

Try tightening the strap a little bit more. I used to have leaks that I had to clear constantly until I tightened my mask to a better fit.

[The fixer]

More like the strap is to tight. Sometimes masks have days when they leak a little, it will probably stop leaking in a couple of dives. You should not need any more than light finger pressure to seal a mask under water. If it keeps leaking dump it and get a new one its just not worth the hastle. Another tip, replace the rubber strap with a neoprene slap-strap and velcro adjusters. soooo much better.

[g1138]

Stop smiling. ;)

Sometimes smiling or adding a mouthpiece will break the seal of your mask.

[DivemasterDennis]

Also nose breathing will break the seal. If you have a fogging issue, the mystery is solved- you are breathing some tout your nose. If this is not the problem, apply a small amount of silicon grease around the entire mask skirt. It will help alot.
DivemasterDennis

[Jim Lapenta]

I see a few suggestions about making the mask tighter. Not advised. Too tight of a mask will leak more than one that is just sitting on your face. The strap does not hold the mask on your face. It merely holds it in position. Pressure is what keeps it on your face. Mask squeeze has little or nothing to do with how tight it is. Squeeze comes from not being able to equalize it. Equalize your mask by simple exhaling a bit through the nose or clearing it. Those by the way are the only times you should be breathing out of your nose. It is possible that the go pro is interfering. How is it reacting with the mask strap? If it is forcing it down lower you can expect it to leak since the strap should ideally be around the widest point of your noggin. The strap slipping down or being forced lower will pull on the top of the mask loosening the lower seal casuing it to leak. I see this a lot with the girls I teach in my Girl Scout snorkeling programs. Many have pony tails and try to put the strap under it instead of lowering the origin of the pony or threading it through the mask strap. It slips down too far and they get leaks. The type of strap you use will not matter if it is not in the correct position.

Why is the go pro on your head anyway? Are you wearing it mounted on a helmet? Why not just carry it? On your head is a good place to have it snag something or get knocked off unless you are very careful.

[SCUBASailor]

I have found that if I inadvertently place the mask strap a little too low on the back of my head, my mask will leak at the nose. You might try experimenting with that.

[floridanewbe]

It might just be a fact that your mask is the wrong shape for your face. A correctly fitting mask does not need to be tightened to excess.

[soltari675]

I second the smiling comment. Every time I smile or laugh I have to clear my mask. Also second the strap too low. I was one of the girls who tried to put the strap under my pony tail and I about drowned myself when water went straight in at my nose and then up my nose.

[mark01]

If you have a purge valve, take a close look at the seal to ensure it's laying down all round and there is no
debris around the edges .

[dfx]

My mask developed a leak around the rim of the left lens after several years. I have optical lenses, which may be part of the problem, and apparently the type of mask (Mares X-vision) is prone to leaks anyway. I posted a video of the leak and how I tested it here: Mares X-vision mask leaks - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2VDB-n_8RU)

So maybe it's just that. First verify if it's not the mask itself that's leaking, then you can try to figure out where the seal to your face doesn't work right. I've noticed that doing things with my mouth (taking out the reg, replacing it etc) tends to break the seal, allowing a bit of water in. But that's a temporary thing.

[soltari675]

You can also try putting a small amount of vaseline under your nose where the mask rests. Might help form a better seal.

[ianr33]

I've also had a mask that leaked between the frame and the glass. Took a while to find that.

[faze]

As a first I'd try the mask strap a little higher up your head, my girlfriend had this problem with a mask that had previously been fine, a friend simply told her to try keeping the strap a little higher and bingo

[mmcdanie]

I had an issue once where it was just stubble from not shaving that cause an aggravating slow leak from under the nose. Now I keep a razor in the dive bag and use it as part of me suit up procedure.

[ADeadlierSnake]

Are you wearing a hood? If yes, then make sure to double check that the mask is under the hood while you are still on the surface. I used to forget to double check that, and sometimes i would have water leaking into my mask because a portion of the mask seal slightly overlapped the hood

[stanw]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think part of it may have been from having the strap too low. Is there an ideal location for putting the strap? Should it be above the ears, etc?

[Scubafoon]

I have this problem too (small amount of water in the nose section) and it is kind of annoying. I will also check whether I have put the strap too low as some suggested here and see if it fixes the problem (Hopefully it can as I just bought this mask, X-Vision, a few weeks ago and used for 2 days diving only so far...with optical lens....):depressed:

[Blackmore75]

Couldn't agree more! If I have a little stubble going...I get a really small but VERY annoying bit of water in there.

I had an issue once where it was just stubble from not shaving that cause an aggravating slow leak from under the nose. Now I keep a razor in the dive bag and use it as part of me suit up procedure.

[SangP]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think part of it may have been from having the strap too low. Is there an ideal location for putting the strap? Should it be above the ears, etc?

One of the best things I've ever bought was something like this National Geographic Mask Strap Neoprene, Complete (http://www.leisurepro.com/Catalog.aspx?op=ItemDisplay&ProductID=NGRMSCN&Page=1&Term=neoprene%20mask%20strap&Hit=1)

It's so much easier to don and doff, doesn't need to be that tight as the load is very evenly spread unlike some dive mask straps that bunches up and causes uneven tension.

Anyway, the strap should be over the ears and spread evenly across the back of the head.

[farsidefan1]

As someone else said, the strap goes around the "thickest" part of your head (lol). I feel your pain. I have 6 masks. 2 of them fit perfectly (same mask but one is prescription). I guess my face is a funny shape (actually I'm sure of it :). Masks that seem to fit fine in the shop will decide to start leaking. Trial and error seems to work best for me.my straps are set very loose compared to what one would think necessary. It just holds it in position and the water pressure does the work. I have a full beard but when I go on a dive trip I trim it down below my nose just to be careful. Fortunately my local dive shop has let me swap masks till I found the perfect fit (the other 4 masks are why this is now my local dive shop).

[wtcreaux]

Double-check to make sure you're NOT exhaling through your nose.......I have this problem, quite often actually, and have to consciously think of breathing out through my mouth......usually solves the problem (at least mine)

[psiborg1812]

You can also try putting a small amount of vaseline under your nose where the mask rests. Might help form a better seal.

I prefer chap-stick. Having a tub of vaseline in my dry bag could get me some funny looks ;)

Ditto on the close shave bit! I keep a cheap electric razor with me so i can clean up before dives.

[Fatterboy]

I have a moustache and beard...my mask ALWAYS leaks. What does it matter? You carry an air tank on your back, just breathe out thru your nose and clear your mask. The strap is not to keep your mask from leaking, it is to keep your mask from falling off your face. I use Sea Drops, my mask almost never fogs and I have to clear my mask every few breaths. Having to shave my 'stache would irritate me more than a leaky mask does.

[psiborg1812]

I have a moustache and beard...my mask ALWAYS leaks. What does it matter? You carry an air tank on your back, just breathe out thru your nose and clear your mask. The strap is not to keep your mask from leaking, it is to keep your mask from falling off your face. I use Sea Drops, my mask almost never fogs and I have to clear my mask every few breaths. Having to shave my 'stache would irritate me more than a leaky mask does.

having to clear your mask more times than usual can increase your air consumption and shorten your dives. If you normally take 8 breaths a minute underwater, but because your mask leaks you are taking 9 1/2 due to clearing it, then your dives become that much shorter . You could breathe out your nose all the time, and I do that, but even though i've tried to synchronize my mask filling up and my exhalations, it never quite works lol.