A full-face snorkel mask allow a person to breathe through both there nose and their mouth. A full-face snorkel mask is designed to cover a persons eyes, nose, and mouth. If the full-face snorkel mask dont fits a person correctly, the person will experience water entering the mask and fogging within a lenses of the mask.
The proper sizing of a full-face snorkel mask are the most important factor in the selection of a full-face snorkel mask for a person. A full-face snorkel mask that is too small will pinch the bone on a persons cheeks and restrict the blood that flow to the face. A full-face snorkel mask that is too large will allow water entering the mask due to the masks inability to create suction against the face.
How to Choose and Fit a Full-Face Snorkel Mask
In order to find the correct size of a full-face snorkel mask for a person, you must take measurement of the persons face. The vertical distance from a persons hairline to the bridge of their nose must be measured. The width of the persons cheekbones must be measured.
The distance from a persons nose to their chin must be measured. The circumference of a persons head must be measured. Finally, you must measure the distance between a persons pupils.
These measurements will allow you to purchase the correct size of full-face snorkel mask for the person. You can use a persons hat size to determine the size of there full-face snorkel mask. Once a person has taken the measurements for there face, you can compare these measurements with the sizing guide that come with the full-face snorkel mask.
Children between the age of six and ten will need a small size of full-face snorkel mask. Teenagers and small adults will need a medium size of full-face snorkel mask. Average adults and those with broad faces will need either a large or extra large size of full-face snorkel mask.
If a persons measurements is in the middle of two sizes, they should purchase the larger size of full-face snorkel mask. This is because tightening the straps can cinch a larger mask to fit more close to the face, but a small mask cant be made larger. There are many types of full-face snorkel mask available for purchase.
The standard full-face snorkel mask cover the nose and mouth of the wearer. Anti-fog full-face snorkel masks has technology built into them that will prevent the lenses from fogging up. Dry-top full-face snorkel masks have valve that will prevent water from entering the breathing tube of the mask.
Some full-face snorkel masks have lenses that protects the eyes from the sun, and some include mounts for camera. To test the fit of a full-face snorkel mask while the wearer is dry and not in the water, the mask should be place against the wearers face, but the straps should not yet be buckled. The wearer should inhale soft into the mask.
If the mask maintains suction against the face for five second, the mask fits properly. Next, the wearer should buckle the straps so that there are two fingers fit between the strap and the wearers temples. The wearer should shake their head to ensure that the mask does not slip.
The wearer should take deep breath for two minutes to ensure that there is no buildup of carbon dioxide in the breath. If the mask did not pass these tests, then they should select a different size of full-face snorkel mask. A person should avoid making several mistake when purchasing a full-face snorkel mask.
First, they should not guess at what size of full-face snorkel mask they should purchase. It is better for a person to purchase one that is too large than it is for them to purchase a small full-face snorkel mask that will cause bruising on there face from excessive tightening of the straps. Next, a person should be aware that facial hair will prevent the full-face snorkel mask from create proper suction against the face.
If a person has facial hair, they will have to shave or use grease to achieve proper sealing of the mask against the face. Finally, a person should not assume that the medium size of a full-face snorkel mask from one manufacturer is the same as a medium size from another manufacturer. To maintain the full-face snorkel mask, the mask should be rinse with fresh water after every use of the mask.
The full-face snorkel mask should be stored in a shaded area when not in use. The mask should be clean with a gentle soap. If the anti-fog lens wear away, an anti-fog treatment should be applied to the lenses of the mask.
If the owner of the full-face snorkel mask follows these step, the seal on the mask will last for many years.
