Mask Seal w/ Mustache

[aerospot]

I've always sported a Mustache. I have done some snorkeling over the years and never had any problem clearing my mask.
But during our pool sessions I have noticed that I tend to constantly blow % air out my nose to keep pressure in my mask. Last class we had hoods on and the air escaping the corners of my mask was bubbling up and under the edge of my hood creating a bubble on top of my head!

My concern is that as I dive deeper mask squeeze will become an issue without the positive seal around my upper lip. My instructor has assured me stating that depth will actually help to create a more positive seal and prevent mask squeeze. I know (& see...Zero) others who sport 'staches' who are divers so, it has to be a non issue, right?

Dave

[acelockco]

Aero,

I have a beard and mustache and understand your concern. No matter what you do, you will get a little bit of leakage where your mask tries to form a seal against your skin with the hair in between. It was only a concern for me when I first started diving with facial hair, but it only took a dive or two to understand it is no big deal. You can always clear your mask, as long as it is not pouring in.

One thing I have noticed is the masks with a purge valve really help to clear out that water and also prevent the air pocket inside your hood. I use an Ocean Master View 3 with a purge valve located at the bottom tip of the nose. Every few breaths, just blow out your nose and your mask will be clear. The bubbles come out right above the regulator so they will not get trapped behing your hood.

Hope this helps.

oh yea, I know of some guys that insist a coating of vasaline on your stash will also help, but that is beyond what I feel is necessary, plus it would mess up my dry suit seals!

[Daddy-h2O]

Not an issue just something to deal with as necessary. If you are blowing into your mask you are counteracting the mask squeeze issue. The bigger issue is what kind of stash you have. Big bushy cookie dusters always seem to have a stray hair that want to break the seal, but neat and trim you can work with. My trick is to remove the reg, put my hand (mostly the thumb and forefinger at were it curves) to my face under the mask and "sqeegy" towards my chin to pull any wild hairs and then deal with any leaks as needed.

Also the mask itself. Some designs lend themselves more to being problematic with facial hair. My larger mask was a hassle like that I could rarely get a good seal, when I switched to a low profile mask I had considerably less leakage.

Like alot of things with scuba, it really NOT about who makes what, it is more about "What works for you"

[Phlocker]

I agree with the above. A mask with the purge valve in the nose helps a lot with the small amount of leakage. And as for the bubbles in the hood issue, you can take a hot soudering iron and burn a small hole in the top for the air to excape.

Depth should not be a problem.

[acelockco]

And as for the bubbles in the hood issue, you can take a hot soudering iron and burn a small hole in the top for the air to excape.

I forgot about that issue, because I have a vent built into my hood. It is a Henderson Hyperstrech, they come with a vent hole.

[rubber chicken]

Had a 'tache and beard since way before i started diving, have never had an issue with it. I would have thought that any failure of the mask to seal properly would show up when you try the fit in the shop! Wouldn't it?