Full-face mask evaluation article

Full-Face Mask Diving

The use of a full-face mask while diving, far from being a new development has its origins in the earliest attempts at self contained diving. Conversions of fire fighting apparatus for diving use led to the development of the first closed circuit or re-breathing systems many of which were designed to enclose the wearers face. The original deep-sea divers dress or “Heavy Gear” was also originally developed as fire fighting equipment, “Deanne’s fire fighting apparatus” developed by the Deanne brothers and later converted by them to Deanne’s patented diving dress. Other related fields sharing joint development of these technologies were mining and in later years the space program.

The first commercially successful design of full-face mask is actually still in production to this date. With a history spanning almost 70 years the Desco “Jack Browne mask” is one of the most enduring designs in diving. Designed by a Desco engineer named Jack Browne in 1938 the design truly came into its own when the Navy awarded a contract for a lightweight mask for use in World War II. The mask was available in several configurations offering completely enclosed re-breather designs as well as the free flowing light weight mask design used for surface supplied salvage work extensively in WW II.

Full-face mask designs can fall into several categories, some are designed for use in SCUBA configurations both open and closed circuit, others are designed to be used surface supplied for commercial work, and still others are designed to serve both purposes.

The advantages of full-face mask diving include allowing the diver to breathe through their nose creating a more natural rhythm, protection from temperature extremes allowing the divers face to remain warm and dry, and the ability to communicate vocally with other divers or a receiving unit on the surface.

The disadvantages include the advanced training required and the prohibitive price of the equipment. The latter has changed in recent years somewhat as manufactures are beginning to recognize the enormous potential of the recreational diving market and designing masks with this concept in mind. Training can be provided by the Florida State University – Academic Diving Program, view current course offerings at http://www.adp.fsu.edu/instruction.html

Kirby Morgan Diving System International has been at the forefront of the commercial diving industry for over 40 years. A frequent innovator they have recently released an entry into the full-face mask market that is a complete departure from those currently available.

The design incorporates a pod unit that holds the regulator and is clipped into the mask main body, the mask can quickly switch from alternate breathing sources or allow the diver to breath directly from a traditional second stage while removed.

The company is currently working on pod configurations that would allow additional open and closed circuit configuration options.

The mask is comprised of four primary assemblies:

· The Mask Body, lower unit - the lower unit of the mask frame is made from high impact plastic and designed with a large enough opening that a traditional second stage configuration could be used through the pod receptacle. The retaining unit for the pod is comprised of a ledge area on the left side the pod retainer hooks over and an attachment buckle on the right side. The entire pod assembly is easily replaced underwater.

· The Mask Body, upper unit - the upper unit is comprised of the upper frame and the view port lens. The upper and lower mask bodies in combination retain the external seal, a soft silicone unit that conforms without modification to most divers faces. An additional internal seal beneath the divers nose keeps the upper mask body sealed off and dry regardless of the state of the lower mask and pod assembly.

· The pod unit and regulator - the pod unit snaps into the mask body providing an airtight seal allowing the diver the option of retaining the mouthpiece as with traditional scuba or disregarding it and relaxing the mouth and jaw. The pod contains the units regulator, the unit can be ordered with the companies super flow regulator, and adjustable unit or used in combination with any other manufacturers system. Additional pod assemblies can be ordered to allow the diver to equip the back up or octopus with a pod as well. The system can be advantageous when the diver would need to switch between various gas mixes or sources underwater as well.

· The Head Harness - The head harness provides a snug seal with the use of four straps, it is constructed of high-grade silicone and attaches to the mask body with plastic buckles.

The M-48 can be used in both surface supplied and SCUBA operations.

The mask can be fitted with through water or hardwire communications from a variety of manufactures.

Clearing in the mask is accomplished by pinching the nose through the upper mask body similar to the method used with a traditional SCUBA mask.

The thin and flexible silicone seal provides and adequate seal at even the lowest tension settings of the head harness. The mask is extremely comfortable to wear and a true asset on extended duration dives.

The emergency procedure for the mask involves removal of the pod assembly only and switching to either a reserve pod assembly or a traditional octopus. When the pod is removed the internal seal will maintain a watertight seal on the upper portion of the mask allowing the diver to have unobstructed vision at all times. The pod system allows removal and replacement of the pod underwater with little difficulty.

The Kirby Morgan EXO-26 full-face mask is the sturdiest unit tested with a heavy plastic frame rivaling its fiberglass cousin the Kirby Morgan line of band-masks. It is available with a balanced adjustable regulator allowing intermediate pressures from 90 through 210 psi. The unit can be dove to a depth of 190 FSW surface supplied and is only restricted by the limits of the first stage assembly used for SCUBA depths. The EXO-26 is approved for Navy use and is the lightweight apparatus selected for use by the US Army deep-sea Dive community and the Army Corp of Engineers. The unit has a heavy-duty spider system as well with big easy to manipulate buckles and straps. The thin flexible sealing surface finds a secure seal on nearly any divers face and an internal oral nasal assembly is used to prevent excess CO2 from building up inside the mask.

When combined with the Kirby Morgan side block assembly the diver can have a redundant air source attached eliminating the need to remove the mask underwater in the event of an emergency. The mask could also be removed and replaced underwater allowing the diver to switch to an octopus regulator. When donning the mask two to three seconds are required to completely clear any water from within, although the oral nasal area is effectively cleared with little more than a slight exhalation by the diver or small purge on the second stage. The side block offers the additional advantage of allowing the attachment of up to four additional low-pressure whips for items such as buoyancy compensation or dry suit inflation. The manufacturer also offers a hard shell that can be attached to the spider allowing some additional protection to the diver.

The mask dives very well offering excellent visibility and weight distribution, although the heaviest construction and weight on the surface the unit is hardly noticeable underwater. The unit can be configured with through water or hard wire communication and offers the same high quality proven communications components as the Kirby Morgan commercial series of masks.

The mask required the use of a defogging solution prior to diving to decrease condensation on the face port of the mask.

Scientific, engineering, public safety and those with a commercial diving background will feel most at home in the heavier construction. The mask will perform strongly in SCUBA and surface supplied diving modes. Those with experience maintaining other Kirby Morgan products will immediately recognize the inner workings of the regulator assembly and have little trouble conducting the required maintenance.

Interspiro manufactures the divator II commonly referred to as the AGA or in the military the MK-20 full-face mask. The system has become a common platform for several companies specializing in through water communications and has been the US Navy lightweight mask since replacing the MK-1 band-mask over a decade ago.

The unit has evolved somewhat over the years improving upon what started as a solidly performing base platform. The current version offers a low volume viewing port frosted on the sides to prevent distractions in the divers peripheral vision and can be outfitted with ballast weights to offset any positive lift of the mask. The mask is supplied with a demand regulator and can be ordered in a positive pressure version providing .03 psi of positive flow inside the face port. The unit combats the buildup of excess CO2 in the mask through use of an oral nasal assembly encapsulating the divers mouth and nose and forcing all exhaled air outside the mask. With each inhalation the air supply from the regulator is ported across the front of the view port not allowing any condensation to build up, the air supply enters the oral nasal assembly through two one way valves.

The mask can be used in SCUBA to the depth limitation of the first stage system being used and can be used surface supplied at shallow depths up to 60 fsw. The mask can be outfitted with hard-wired or through water communications systems as well.

The mask is comprised of four primary parts systems including the integrated regulator assembly positive or non-positive pressure, which can also be removed and dove as a traditional SCUBA regulator, the mask body, the view port, and the oral nasal assembly. The mask is held securely in place through use of a five retaining strap spider or head harness assembly easily manipulated by the diver.

The emergency procedure for the apparatus involves removal of the mask, which is easily accomplished by pulling up and outward on the mask assembly and switching to a back up octopus regulator. The mask can be replaced underwater as well with airflow being great enough that purging of any remaining water in the mask takes about one second.

The mask is a durable unit with one big advantage to the system being the availability of manufacturer sponsored training seminars allowing the operator or owner to perform all maintenance on the system if so desired. Replacement parts for the mask are also readily available. The mask will fit most divers without modification but those with narrow faces may need to manipulate the face-sealing surface by placing foam rubber or surgical tubing beneath the fold of the seal.

The unit is one of the higher priced ones on the market but the reputation established to this point justifies expense.

Overall a well-proven and competent performer equally at home in recreational diving situations and any situation were communications are required.

The Ocean Reef Neptune II full-face mask, offering unrestricted visibility, an adjustable regulator, accessory ports, and a directional adjustment for the exhaust routing system. The apparatus uses a similar system to the AGA in that it directs incoming air past the face port keeping condensation and fogging to a minimum while an integrated oral nasal mask assembly prevents CO2 buildup within the mask.

The mask appearance with its clear construction has lead some to dismiss the mask, as less sturdy than other offerings but after actually diving with the mask first hand these impressions are very likely to change. The main body of the mask is a solid piece of high impact plastic and incorporates the mounting area for the regulator assembly, communications assembly, and any accessories the diver decides to include.

The regulator is provided with the mask and offers some ability to adjust breathing resistance. Overall the regulator was easy breathing and trouble free.

The head harness holds the mask securely to the divers face and has a unique release system incorporated aiding the diver in removing the mask in the event of a failure.

The mask will fit and seal on most divers faces without modification.

The mask is a strong and cost effective performer for the recreational SCUBA diver looking to incorporate the comfort and communications abilities of full-face mask diving.

The next two masks evaluated are somewhat different in that they are more comparable to large facemasks than the rigid designs discussed to this point. The masks are soft silicone bodies and do not have any regulator, nor hard mounting surface for one, designed into the system.

The SCUBA PRO full-face mask is the first and only offering from the company for full-face mask diving. The design is a non-rigid silicone design

The design incorporates two additional accessory ports that can be used for alternate regulator attachment points or for through mask accessories like communications.

The mask does not include a regulator but the main connection point accepts any type of Scuba Pro regulator with the mouthpiece removed.

The mask is a one-piece unit containing a fiberglass ring that retains the view port lenses in place and the soft silicone skirt that provides the seal on the divers face. The mask uses a five strap silicone harness assembly and attaches to the mask body with plastic buckles

The mask has an additional internal seal separating the divers mouth from the upper nasal portion of the mask.

This mask is constructed with anti-fog lenses but adding some type of anti fog treatment prior to diving will ensure you do not get condensation building in the view port.

The mask is designed for SCUBA operations and is able to accept a variety of through water communications.

Clearing with the mask is accomplished by pinching the nose through the mask material similar to the procedure for clearing with a traditional SCUBA mask.

The emergency procedure for the mask could include switching to the alternate regulator if attached to the accessory port or ditching the mask and switching to an octopus back up regulator. The mask can be removed and replaced underwater. The lower portion is clear of water in less than one second with a purge of the regulator and the upper portion is cleared with exhalation like a traditional SCUBA mask.

The mask will fit most divers faces without modification.

The Mantis full-face mask is nearly identical in design to the SCUBA PRO offering, the unit is a non-rigid silicone design

The design incorporates two additional accessory ports that can be used for alternate regulator attachment points or for through mask accessories like communications.

The mask does not include a regulator but the main connection point accepts any type of regulator with the mouthpiece removed.

This mask is constructed with anti-fog lenses but adding some type of anti fog treatment prior to diving will ensure you do not get condensation building in the view port.

The mask is designed for SCUBA operations and is able to accept a variety of through water communications.

Clearing with the mask is accomplished by pinching the nose through the mask material similar to the procedure for clearing with a traditional SCUBA mask.

The emergency procedure for the mask could include switching to the alternate regulator if attached to the accessory port or ditching the mask and switching to an octopus back up regulator. The mask can be removed and replaced underwater. The mask is one continuous cavity allowing more dead space for CO2 to build up than the previous offerings. The singular cavity can be cleared in about two to three seconds using the regulator purge

The mask will fit divers with smaller faces more comfortable and with less leaking than the other offerings. The view port design protrudes into the divers peripheral vision area and could be an annoying distraction.