Mask- Purge or No Purge?

[KingOfSomewhereHot]

First, let me give a brief description of how I am with water. I love being in the water, but I have a hard time going under without a mask on. If I do, I hold my nose and do not open my eyes. In certification class, they worked with me on this to the point I could at least not hold my nose, but it was very very hard for me to take the mask off during mask clearing drills, or even let some water in and blow it out.

Now, I am not 100 percent sure on exactly what purge masks are, but from what I gather I guess it automatically purges water out of your mask? Is that true? If so, would that be a good mask for me? I already have a normal mask with no purge, but sometimes it hurts the bridge of my nose, so I was looking around for a new mask. If anyone could give a suggestion, I would certainly appreciate it!

Recap- I do not like water in my eyes/ nose area (can do it if I must, but prefer not to). My description of purge mask correct? Recommend or no? Thanks!!!!!

 

[Riger]

Hi there,

Firstly, (IMHO) no matter what course you follow, keep trying the underwater eyes and nose until you can master it. It was the best thing I ever did, it gives you back a whole dimension underwater, the ability to see (albeit blurry).

The purge valve on masks basically requires that you hold your mask in place and breath out through your nose. The water at the bottom (if you are right way up ) of the mask is forced out through the valve. Quite simple really.

Good luck with they eyes in the water though, keep practicing in the pool, the sea water is (mostly) not much different.

Best Regards

Richard (Riger)

 

[mgmonk]

Now, I am not 100 percent sure on exactly what purge masks are, but from what I gather I guess it automatically purges water out of your mask?

Not so much automatic. You still have to do the work (blow out yer nose), but the main difference being you don't have to tilt your head up. That's all the magic, really. The purge is on the bottom of the frame, so no need to press on the top and look up whilst blowing out the shnoz.

Best thing, as mentioned, keep practicing. Whatever mask feels good to you, get that one, but more importantly, keep practicing mask clearing.

There are so many reasons why you should be comfortable with water in the mask and mask removal. Some of it is safety and some of it is just psychological.

Good luck, and enjoy your new mask

 

[Sas]

One of the reasons you need to get confident in mask removal and clearing is because your mask can be kicked off your face and a purge valve won't do much for you then. To me, masks with purge valves don't really work in making it easier to cope with a mask flood as either way there is water in your mask and it is really not that difficult to purge your mask without a purge valve once you get the hang of it. I have never used a mask with a purge valve so it really could be heaps easier to purge, but yea, it won't remove the problem you have mentioned of getting water on your face.

I think you should keep working on being comfortable in the water with your eyes open and mask off as it might happen on a dive. I hated mask clears when I started for much the same reasons you do but it quickly becomes a habit and you will be fine. I've already had my mask dislodged twice diving now in only 23 dives so yea, it is something you want to be pretty good at Good luck!

 

[BKP]

I have SeaVision Ultras with both purge and no purge.
Personally, I like the purge. If I have the strap adjusted properly (for me), it's not even necessary to touch the mask to clear it...

The purge has many, many dives on it, to depths over 100', and I've never had an issue with it, or worried about it as a failure point. Additionally, it doesn't make equalizing any more difficult, as some have said.

I've never had any issues clearing with a non-purge, I just find the purge convenient...

 

[fisherdvm]

I know what you mean, mask clearing is difficult, and not a natural thing to do. But it is still better to learn to do it, and do it comfortably.

Exactly for that reason, you should not get a self clearing or purge mask. It just add another failure point in a lifetime of diving. I'd dare say that the first place where your mask will fail is the valve, and it will let water into your mask, especially if you use thick gloves while diving.

But I can see that it is a pleasant thing to dive with. But I would rather have you feel comfortable clearing a regular mask than one with a purge valve. In fact, I feel sorry for the student who takes his OW class with a purge mask. You really miss the whole point of the exercise - getting you accustomed to breathing with water in your nose.

I wish they do not sell this mask to new OW students, and I wish they would ban it from OW classes.

 

[KingOfSomewhereHot]

Thanks everyone, you all have helped quite a bit. I probably should have mentioned that I will be doing most of my diving in Lake Erie up here in Buffalo, NY, so even during the summer, the local dive shop suggested a 2 pc 7mm wetsuit with hood and gloves. Probably won't make much of a difference, but I saw gloves mentioned above, so I thought I might mention what I would be wearing. I will take everyone's advice and keep working on it, hopefully soon, at most by the end of summer, I will be able to do this with no worries/ hesitation at all. I think I will hold off on looking for a mask, at least until I master this, because if I have a purge, I will probably not try this exercise . Thanks again!

 

[fisherdvm]

The point about the thick gloves is that it is hard to squeeze your nose without compressing the valve, thus much increase the risk of valve failure. In case I didn't make it clear. Sometimes I use both hands, one on each side of the nose, to clear my ears with thick gloves.

 

[trucker girl]

The first mask I bought when I got all excited about scuba was a purge mask- and it still sits in it's box. I had to buy another mask for my OW class because, though the purge mask fit my face, I couldn't get my fingers to my nose to clear when I had a regulator in my mouth.

I can't clear by moving my jaw around or any of the other tricks people use- I've got to pinch my nose shut and blow.

So whatever you do, make sure you buy something you can use. That was like 5 years ago or so- I don't know what masks cost now. But that was a $65 mistake at the time.

It will be great if I ever take a snorkeling trip...

 

[fisherdvm]

Other fancy gadgetry I think we should ban from the OW class are those "up, down button" BC's. These OW divers will never fully comprehend how to use a standard BC if they ever had to rent one, or borrow one in the future. It has a pull out hose to inflate, with its own one way valve.

One can not fully practice simple skills like manual inflation of a BC while fully weighted at the surface with such a do-hicky device.

The more gadgetry you introduce at an OW class - the more incompetent the certified diver will be - I mean, weight integrated BC's, purge masks, up-down buttons, one way BC inflate hose.

Someone has to step up and ban these from OW classes.