My wife has a problems with leaking masks...

[ZombieZombie]

Among her many other problems in life, most of which stem from her choice of husband, my wife always has mask leaks when diving.

It irritates her and that agitates me.

She is a petite lady with a small face. She tries the shop recommended face-fit tests and everything appears to seal well when she breathes in with the mask sitting on her face in the shop. However, once in the water she has a constant leak and is continually clearing her mask.

She is now on her third mask- they have all been silicone material and reputable brands- Cressi, Scuba Pro and Oceanic.

Any ideas from more experienced divers who might have experienced similar? Her hairline does come close to the edge of the mask, but we usually manage to clear the periphery of the mask from any hair. However, we were thinking that maybe it was worth diving with a swimming cap. Anyone ever tried this? Any chance of it working?

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

 

[scubafanatic]

Scuba Diver Girls | SDG asks, ?How Do I Find the Perfect Mask??

 

[Skittl1321]

Is she using a mask specifically made for a small face? Aqua-lung labels these masks 'midi', and it really does make a big difference.
I know I can make full size masks fit to my face using the in-shop breathe test, but they always leak in the water.

The swim cap certainly seems like a decent idea to try. I never thought my mask issues had to do with my hair (and I always have stray hairs), but really with my face being small. (I've seen the Scuba girls link- and perhaps I haven't found my perfect mask yet. I've never found one that stayed sealed when I smiled. I'm not allowed to be happy underwater.)

 

[robertarak]

You have to have something (like a regulator or snorkle) in your mouth when trying masks. When you have your regulator in your mouth your face is totally different then when you are standing in the dive shop. Usually this is the reason the masks work great in the shop and terrrible in the water.

 

[novasquid]

i had a similar problem with masks fitting perfectly on land, but leaking like a sieve when under water. my problem, which may be what your wife is encountering, is that i wasn't holding a proper seal while under water. it's not enough to "not breathe through your nose," but you have to actually create a bit of suction on the mask using your nostrils and then be able to hold it there.

 

[supergaijin]

I've noticed that certain facial 'types' have problems with masks. I'd go back to the Cressi mask (usually they fit nicely to 'problem' faces. Make it hot by putting it in the sun for 10mins, then go snorkeling with it. Avoid tightening it excessively which will deform the skirt.

Nose breathers have many problems with masks.

It may sound cruel but the problem is pretty much never the mask- but how the person uses it.

 

[Chet_Chet]

Get this, and thanks me later.
MAKO Minimus (aka Mini) Mask

 

[Imla]

Instead of doing the "sucking in test" take the mask. Hold it onto her face. Then slide it slightly to one side so it is snug against her skin. Then have a look at the other side (just about under the maskstrap). There should not be a large gap here. Most people can compensate for the mask being too wide when doing the suctiontest, but under water most will find it uncomfortable to dive with vacuum in the mask. And then you have a leak

 

[James R]

Many mask leaks are caused by the mask being too tight...try loosening the mask strap a little bit.

 

[GillScales]

If she has a nose breathing issue, you might have a look at full face mask
Ocean Technology Mantis Full Face Mask 900365-000 with reviews at scuba.com or their higher end OTS guardian. Kind of an expensive fix though.