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How to fit a ssisting a customer to fit a diving mouth as that is the shape their face will be mask in a way that will allow him Our cut-out-and-keep series to on a dive. to secure maximum vision, good assist retailers with product Single or dual ? and a comfortable, ex- knowledge. hilarating adventure underwater You cannot say that single lens or dual lens is uncomplicated, yet tricky. Words: Fanie Heyns. Compiled with the masks are better or worse, for they each have By asking your customer a few simple ques- help of Rhys Couzyn, of Scubapro, Sken benefits. A and Chantal Pero, of Table Bay Diving, tions you will get to know his level of experi- Single lens masks have a clear unobstructed ence or certification. A beginner diver will re- Duncan Pattenden, of Orca Industries, view ahead, but the lens usually sits a bit fur- quire more attention than say a dive master, Coenraad Biel, instructor at All About ther away from ’s face, meaning that who will probably take offence to the lecture Scuba, Klerksdorp, www.bluewaterhunt- internal volume is a little higher. Also, the fur- you were about to deliver. If a family walks in er.com and www.scuba-diving-smiles.com ther a lens gets from your face, the narrower to the shop, they may have booked a your peripheral vision becomes (think of look- trip to Mauritius and require loads of attention ing through a key hole, when its close up you and advice. can see plenty but as you move back, your view narrows). To compensate, single are of- Step One ten bigger, again increasing internal volume. Let him pick up a mask in both hands and use Dual lens masks generally are lower volume his thumbs to gently fold back each side of the as the lenses can be slightly recessed into the skirt. Then he should gently place the mask on eye sockets and have wider peripheral vision his face, but stop as soon as he makes contact because the lenses do sit so close to the diver’s with any part of his face. Release the sides of face. They are universal in their fit and can of- the skirt he was holding with his thumbs so the ten be fitted with optical lenses. The negative skirt will gently touch his face. aspect of this lens is that they are joined in the Do not apply any to the mask to push middle, so the vision is arguably more obscured it onto his face, but ask him if there is any than with a single lens mask. coming through any gaps between the skirt and his face. If he sees any light at all the mask against his face. The purpose of this is to find Hairy problems may not be right for him. Keep in mind, if you out if the hard frame of the mask hits or makes A moustache will almost always leak. If your press any mask hard enough it will appear to contact with his face. customer is not very attached to it, advise him fit, when in reality it will not. The best fitting This can sometimes be uncomfortable, and if to shave it off. If that’s not an option, petro- masks will not show any light between the skirt it’s uncomfortable on land, it will be very un- leum jelly will help seal the mask. An experi- and the face and will seem to “stick” to the comfortable after wearing the mask for several enced diver with a moustache will live with face with little or no effort to press it on. hours in the water. Common areas of concern water around his nose. Don’t let the customer put the mask strap are the bridge of the nose, eye sockets, eye- Long hair, or in fact any piece of your equip- around his head, but give him a mouthpiece to brow and cheekbones. ment caught in the mask seal, will cause it to try on with the mask as this will change the If it’s uncomfortable, he should keep trying leak. shape of his face. acial hair or “stubble,” as different masks until you find the best medium. One is to wear a swim cap to keep well as facial expressions, such as smiling or the hair back and yes, the mask does seal over laughing will decrease the ability to fit a mask A few additional tips the swimming cap. By the way, this will also properly. • When you gently press the mask against the help keep the hair in a hoodie if your customer diver’s face, make sure it does not hit his is planning on wearing one. Step Two nose-bridge or forehead. Check that there is Ask your customer to inhale very gently through ample room for the diver’s nose in the nose Quality of the mask his nose to verify if the mask will stick to his pocket of the skirt, if not, or if the mask skirt • Silicone skirts are better quality. Smell the face with the minimal effort. If it fits, he will constantly pushes against the bottom edge of mask, if the skirt smells of strong plastic feel a squeeze from the mask on his face af- the diver’s nose, it will become uncomfort- (PVC), then it is not a pure silicone skirt. Sili- ter inhalation. The of the mask alone able on a long dive. cone has no smell. should cause the silicone skirt to touch the en- • Check that the mask skirt does not cut across • Always check the quality of the buckles to tire way around the face and a light inhalation the corners of the diver’s eyes and that his make sure they can be tightened and loos- should immediately cause a complete seal. vision is not restricted by the silicon of the ened easily. Again, if you smash the mask against his face mask. A diving mask should not be smaller or • A decent quality mask should come in a pro- and he sucks-in too hard, you may make a “bad bigger than your eye view sites. tective case or box. fitting” mask appear to fit. • Make sure that the mask skirt does not come • Although more expensive brand name masks too far down the diver’s top lip as this may will normally offer some benefits, there are Step Three become uncomfortable once the regulator some decent quality masks available at good Now is the time to press hard, evenly distrib- or snorkel mouthpiece is in place. Ideally, do prices and at the end of the day, the best uting pressure throughout the mask frame, all fitments with a mouthpiece in the diver’s mask is the one that fits your customer best!

2010 October/November :: Sports Trader