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BASIC PERSONAL EQUIPMENT You can go skin diving under optimal conditions with four pieces of gear: • Mask • Fins • Snorkel • Flotation device Because you wear most pieces of dive gear directly on your body, the comfort and fit of each item is extremely important. Masks If you have ever opened your eyes under water without a mask, you know that it is impossible to see clearly. Our eyes are designed to focus in air. A scuba mask places a layer of air between your eyes and the water, enabling you to see underwater objects clearly. A scuba mask differs from swimming goggles in that it covers your nose. Having your nose covered enables you to equalize the pressure inside the mask, which increases as you dive deeper in the water. The air pressure inside the mask is equalized with the water pressure outside the mask when you exhale air from your nose into the mask. Chapter 2- Diving Equipment The most important consideration when you select a mask is whether the mask fits your face. To check for fit: 1. Place the mask gently against your face without putting the strap over your head. 2. Inhale briefly through your nose and hold your breath. If the mask sticks against your face and does not fall off when you look down, it is a good fit. If you must push the mask against your face or continue to inhale to get the mask to stay on, it is not a well-fitting mask. (However, this is not true for men with moustaches.) Keep looking for a mask that fits. Be sure to try several different masks, even if the first one you try fits well. You might find another style that fits better. You can choose from many different styles of masks. Some of the features of masks are essential and others are optional (figure 2-2). Essential features include: • A tempered glass lens to help resist breaking and avoid injury if the lens breaks. • A solid frame to hold the lens in position. • An adjustable, split or wide headstrap that fits over the wide portion of your head. Diving Equipment 15 Dive Mask Frame Double Seal Split Strap Nose Pocket FIGURE 2-2. SOME FEATURES OF YOUR MASK ARE ESSENTIAL.


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