contacts vs prescription goggles

[ARDory]

Ok, so I have a tendency to be overly prepared, so I have yet another question before I begin my scuba adventure into the unknown waters.

I wear contacts and without them I am severely blind. Does anyone have prescription goggles they use or does anyone prefer just wearing their contacts and risking it? If I only lose one contact, yes, I still have another one, but seriously, with one contact in, I would just be swimming in circles and making myself dizzy.

 

[gstrek]

I wear Accuvue II disposable contacts and have for nearly 20 years. I got them primarily for water sports but after putting them on I never again went back to glasses.

I've never lost a single one after a few hundred dives but now I have jinxed myself so probably should carry a spare on the boat.

I like being able to see both underwater and on the boat without having to swap a mask for glasses. I do wear reading glasses (1.25 x) but underwater don't really need anything special to read my gauges and camera settings.

 

[nimoh]

I am not sure which agency you are doing your class with, but for me, I did my Open Water certification with PADI, and all skills that required flooding or removing your mask, you could close your eyes. You either will not be moving, or a buddy will be guiding you. So, wearing contacts should be just fine for your class.

And by the way, swimmers wear goggles, divers wear masks. Not a big deal, I knew what you meant

 

[ARDory]

Gotcha, I just googled prescriptions and that's what came up.

---------- Post added January 13th, 2014 at 03:42 PM ----------

I wear the disposable as well and always carry an extra set with me. I worried about switching from mask to glasses after the dive, so I'm thinking I'll stick with my contacts. I'll just make sure I have a new pair in, so they won't dry out. Thanks bunches.

 

[Darren Dodge]

I also wear contacts and during training my instructor would allow me to keep my eyes closed during mask flooding and removal and tap me on the shoulder when time had elapsed to replace and clear my mask. By squinting your eyes as much as possible, you decrease salt water exposure to your contacts and I've had no issues. Have fun!

Also, you can easily carry spare contacts, but a spare prescription mask can be a bit much when travelling.

 

[iluvtheocean]

I am not sure which agency you are doing your class with, but for me, I did my Open Water certification with PADI, and all skills that required flooding or removing your mask, you could close your eyes. You either will not be moving, or a buddy will be guiding you. So, wearing contacts should be just fine for your class.

And by the way, swimmers wear goggles, divers wear masks. Not a big deal, I knew what you meant

and importantly -- if you do the contacts route for class - let your instructor know before you get in the water so they have a heads up. doesn't count against you at all, but helps to keep your instructor informed.

 

[gstrek]

I've not really noticed any drying out with salt or fresh water - chlorinate pool is a different story. I change my contacts every 3 weeks (I take them out over night!) and never have felt the need to put in a fresh pair for a dive. Then again, you might wear the daily contacts so your situation would be different.

 

[Tigerman]

I wear contacts while diving as I then wont need to worry about prescription shades while on the boat
And its also easier to carry a spare mask if you dont rely on it being prescription of course. Any old mask (that work) will do..

 

[Lorenzoid]

Recent thread here: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fins-masks-snorkels/473585-prescription-mask-experience.html

As I commented there, I absolutely hated the prescription mask I tried--it was like the proverbial looking through a Coke bottle. I hate glasses, period. I always wear contacts. Bring some extras with you on the boat. But in a couple of hundred dives wearing contacts I have yet to lose one.

 

[ScubaPink]

I have a prescription mask and I have no issues with it. I take rx sunglasses and put them in the carrying case for the mask when I am using the mask and during surface intervals i put the mask in the bucket and wear my sunglasses. I do not wear contacts so it was not an option for me. However, as I said, it has been a non-issue in all aspects.