Backup Mask - Ever Had to Use While Solo?

[BFRedrocks]

Just a curious question on this slow day...

As part of the solo "standard" (PADI, SSI), one of the pieces of equipment you should carry is a backup mask, if, for some reason, your primary mask either breaks or becomes dislodged. While I carry a backup mask when I dive solo, I have never had to use it. So I was wondering, has anyone experienced the true need to use their backup mask while soloing, and if so, what caused you to have to use it?

 

[jodylynn007]

Good question - I haven't had to use mine (although always carry it now), but I have only been solo diving for about two years.

I would imagine the mask strap breaking and falling from your face (maybe you can't retrieve it as its dropped to no or a deep bottom perhaps), could happen?

Or you splash from a boat or something and the mask comes off ... therefore needing another handy one?

I did have a blonde moment once before I started solo diving where I did a long surface swim to a site with my mask on my head (yeah I know ) and I lost it en route - would have been nice to have another mask in a pocket to help in my buddy's search for that mask (he found it for me actually) - but I lost out on that NYE night dive as I had no spare mask on me and by the time it was found I had to get out of my drysuit to pee and warm up.

 

[lermontov]

only once- mask came loose and easier to swap than mess around

 

[Treetop]

I always carry a spare in my thigh pocket. Never used it, but before I started tech diving I did have a mask strap clasp break mid dive. Kept the mask on by pressing it against my face and not breathing out through my nose until surface.

 

[redacted]

My spare stays on the surface. I have never needed it.

In the rare event that I push NDL while solo, I carry one eyepiece from a pair of swim goggles.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Never used one - never carry one on a dive - I do carry a spare mask to the site just in case anything happens to my mask topside.

 

[MasterChief D]

I carry one but never had to use it - have heard stories of masks straps/clasps failing, almost all were rented equipment (not necessarily a correlation there). Will continue carrying one, simply because of the impact a failure can have, especially when diving solo.

 

[exposure]

You could probably say the same for any back-up you carry. Personally, I prefer to have a back-up mask that I don't need instead of needed one that I don't have. One thing is sure, your strap will break, (your main reg too) the question is when So the point, is can you afford of not having a back-up (i.e. assuming you don't loose your mask, you can hold it to your face till the surface) on a normal dive with a buddy. If your answer is yes, you may ask about the same situation on a solo dive. Like for aircraft, the big issues are made of a sum of small issues, not just one.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

I guess you could also say when the risk of not wearing a mask is more than just needing to surface within NDLs and not with a Deco obligation - I will consider carrying a spare mask. Until then I am not in an overhead and I am not in Deco - I see no reason to carry an extra mask - your situation may warrant you to carry one. I can surface with my eyes closed without rocketing to the surface - I see no immediate danger for me or my style of diving. YMMV

 

[shurite7]

Twice my mask has been broken and I switched to my back up. Once on the surface when gearing up my primary was broken; not sure when I hit it though.

I'm use to diving with an extra mask because of my full face mask and tech training.