TRAINING HEALTHY DIVING Photos Mike by Sieverman A Full Face Mask Primer By Ethan Gordon

t was just past 8 o’clock on a typical morning in late of tools, teams and training that would save countless lives INovember 1948. About a dozen people were riding and give closure to families in the years to come. Stockholm Tramways’ electric trolley (also known as an The Stockholm Fire Department contacted a Swedish overhead-wire bus) on their way to work. World War II had company, Aktiebolaget Gas Accumulator (AGA), for assistance ended a few years earlier, and life was returning to normal. in developing scuba gear that could be deployed quickly for The morning commute did not stand out in any particular emergency responders. Fortuitously, AGA was working on way until the crash. While crossing a bridge on its way to a scuba unit specifically designed for rapid-response divers. Stora Essingen, the trolley was suddenly struck by a truck. The It had back-mounted tanks and the world’s first face-mask- trolley careened out of control, crashed through the rail on the mounted single-hose regulator. In other words, AGA had side of the bridge, and for a few tense moments teetered nearly invented the first full face mask for public safety divers. This 15 meters (50 feet) above the icy water below. Then, without new diving tool would eventually become widely known as warning, the bus and its 12 occupants plummeted into the the AGA mask. Over the years, the AGA company became water. There was one witness on the bridge who saw this tragic AGA Spiro, and then the diving products division separated scene unfold. The other witness was Börje Holm. He was the and became known as Interspiro. only surviving passenger aboard the trolley, which sank to the The name “AGA mask” is sometimes used interchangeably bottom, 17 meters (55 feet) below the surface. with “full face mask,” as “Kleenex” is used for “tissues.” While Imagine the helpless Stockholm firemen who arrived at the the actual AGA mask holds a prominent place in diving scene, unsure whether there were still people alive, possibly equipment history, its modern replacement is Interspiro’s trapped on the bottom and breathing from an air pocket in DIVATOR MK II mask, but the MK II is not your father’s the bus. At the time, all the fire department had available were Oldsmobile. In addition to name changes, it’s experienced hard hat divers, and by the time they arrived on the scene an many engineering improvements over the decades. hour later, it was for the purpose of body recovery, not rescue. While Interspiro may have years of experience over its While this incident and the resulting loss of life was tragic, it competitors, Ocean Technology Systems (OTS) is another started a chain of events that would lead to the development leading manufacturer of today’s high-tech masks. Both

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The tender checks that the push pad is at the right height for the diver and is locked in with a small zip-tie so it won’t fall out during the submerged mask ditch and don drills. Photos by Andrea Zaferes of Team Lifeguard Systems Lifeguard of Zaferes Andrea Team by Photos

companies innovate different products that help today’s public Mask Instructor Specified Specialty course, but at a minimum, safety and military dive teams get their job done more safely you’ll find the following information to be of service. and efficiently than ever before. Many public safety dive teams in the U.S. use either the MK II or OTS’ Guardian mask. That’s Things to Know About Full Face Masks not to say others aren’t getting into the game. Ocean Reef, Hollis Fit and Proper Adjustment and Scubapro make full face masks for public safety divers as One of the most important things to learn about full face well, for a growing audience of recreational divers. There are masks is proper fit and adjustment. Unlike with regular dive also masks made by Kirby Morgan and Dräger, which lean masks, the skirts of full face masks must be designed to fit a more toward the light commercial work category. wider range of faces without leaking. If the mask is adjusted The two main reasons public safety and military divers properly, it will more than likely fit well and make a complete prefer full face masks over traditional scuba masks are seal. The harness that holds the full face mask to the diver’s protection from contaminants and communications. Since head is called the spider. It typically has five straps coming off these kinds of divers are often operating in less than optimal it, one at the top of the head and two sets at the middle and water conditions, keeping contaminants off of their faces and bottom of the head. out of their noses and mouths is crucial. In addition, full face When a diver dons the full face mask, the most important masks allow the integration of communications systems, vital thing is to make sure the mask is parallel to the face. The best tools that help get the job done safely and efficiently. In the way to do this is to put the harness on the back of the head recreational use of full face masks, communications are also first, hold it in place, and then pull the mask down into place. a big draw. Once the mask is in place, the middle straps are snugged up So with several time-tested models out there and more to (but don’t overtighten) to get the proper fit, with gentle and come, how can you, the NAUI diving professional, better talk equal pressure on the mask at the top and bottom. Next, the to your students and customers about full face masks? First of slack in the bottom straps is gently taken up by pulling the all, if you’re considering diving one yourself or selling them to straps straight back, not out to the sides. Finally, the strap at your clients, you’d be best served by taking a NAUI Full Face the top of the head is tightened. If the mask is not adjusted

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Lights, camera, action… Bill Pfeiffer’s full facemask sports optional rails with mounted accessories. Photos by Bill Pfeiffer by Photos

properly, the diver runs the risk of jaw fatigue, discomfort and experienced full face mask divers will still consume between a weak seal that could allow contaminants to enter the mask. 5 and 10 percent more gas. This means they have to plan With the mask adjusted properly, the diver should be able to accordingly to return to the surface with their target amount wear it comfortably for hours. still in reserve.

Ear Clearing Maintenance On models such as the MK II and the Guardian, there is a Proper maintenance of a full face mask is important. More nose block, a rubber pad that sits beneath the diver’s nose in often than not, public safety divers are diving in environments the mask’s oral/nasal cup. Gentle pressure placed on the right where there may be contaminants in the water. Some full face spot on the front of the mask will push the block up high masks have skirts made of natural rubber, which is better enough to block the nose and allow the diver to equalize. If than silicone at resisting chemicals like gasoline; a silicone the mask isn’t adjusted properly, this maneuver can be nearly skirt will actually absorb some of these contaminants. impossible. On other masks, like Scubapro masks or the OTS That said, proper cleaning of either kind of mask skirt is Spectrum, the diver’s nose is more accessible, and divers can important. A thorough soaking for a minimum of 15 minutes equalize as if using a standard scuba mask. in an approved cleaning solution, followed by vigorous swishing of the mask, will help remove contaminants from Mask Clearing the skirt. Close attention must be paid to all of the folds in Since a full face mask is an oral/nasal mask, clearing it can the mask skirt, where contaminants, mud and mildew can be different from clearing a standard scuba mask. Many hide. Natural rubber can dry out over time, and exposure to bigger full face masks have a purge valve at the bottom of fluorescent lights or sunlight can damage all kinds of mask the mask, so attempting to clear the mask of water as a diver skirts, so after the mask is thoroughly dried, it should be stored normally would, by putting pressure at the top of the mask in a cool, dry, dark place, such as a hard case. and tilting one’s head back while exhaling, could actually worsen the problem. The proper technique involves tilting Features to Look For the head forward and gently exhaling out the nose (or Contamination Prevention gently using the purge button on the regulator). This will As previously mentioned, public safety and military divers efficiently remove the water from the mask. Without proper are frequently diving in areas that might have contaminants, instruction, there’s a good likelihood your customers will such as spilled gasoline in the water, contaminants in the return unhappy with their new gear, thinking their inability sediment at the bottom, etc. The material of the mask can to clear water from the mask resulted from a problem with make a difference, depending on the types of environments a the mask rather than their technique. diver plans to enter. Natural rubber is typically recommended for more highly contaminated environments, while silicone Air Consumption skirts are generally softer and more comfortable, but not as Divers new to full face masks will typically consume 15 resistant to contaminants. percent more air than they would on regular scuba. Even Another means of contamination prevention is positive

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pressure within the mask. Interspiro’s MK II offers a positive breathe air from outside the system, saving precious air pressure option. Simply put, it keeps a positive pressure supply for underwater. of air inside the mask at all times; if leakage were to occur, the slightly greater pressure inside the mask would prevent Accessories contaminants from finding their way into the mask. Some of today’s full face masks are available with optional Another recommendation for diving in contaminated rails. These attachment points at the sides of the mask can environments is to wear a drysuit with an attached dry host a variety of add-ons, like LED lights, welding shields or hood that has a slick rubber outer skirt around the diver’s cameras. Another nice option made by Interspiro is a heads- face (no seams), on which the full face mask can properly up-display low-air warning light. Many public safety divers seal. The drysuit should also have attached dry gloves. This work in blackout conditions, and it’s possible that they may type of exposure protection minimizes the possibility of not be able to read their gauges even at very close range. contaminants touching the diver’s skin. Interspiro’s solution is an LED that attaches to the corner of the mask; when the air supply hits a preset point, the light Regulator and Air Supply begins to flash, signaling to the diver that it’s time to wrap Some masks, like the MK II or the Guardian, come with up. Some use a low-tech solution by filling a sealable plastic second-stage regulators that are specially designed for the bag with clean water and a chemical light stick, duct-taping masks. In the case of the MK II, the regulator is mounted to that to the front of the gauge, and simply pressing it to the the mask. The Guardian’s regulator, on the other hand, can faceplate to read the pressure. be detached at the push of a button. Many other models on the market today will allow a standard second-stage regulator Are Full Face Masks In Your Future? to be attached. If used in cold water, the regulator should be With full face masks being adopted rapidly by public safety rated for ice diving. divers around the U.S. and the world, it’s a good idea to get Interspiro also offers a lightweight surface-supplied system familiar with them. In addition, there are more and more for public safety divers, with air delivered through the life recreational divers taking to the water with these masks. It line, as well as high-pressure 300-bar (4,350 psi) carbon- certainly doesn’t hurt for you and your dive center to stay fiber cylinders that are approved by the U.S. Department of ahead of the curve and offer training as well as equipment to Transportation. They’re easy to transport to the scene due to divers in your area. their light weight. The air is delivered to the diver with a dual- purpose tether/umbilical that can also be rigged with hard- wired communications. The air supply can be monitored by the surface personnel, and cylinders can be “hot-swapped” during When creating an article such as this, the opinions of the dive, allowing the diver to stay down longer if necessary. experts are required to create a full and varied picture of the equipment and its proper use. In the case of Communications full face masks, we consulted a number of experts. Because divers wearing full face masks don’t have regulators For the manufacturers’ perspectives, both Bengt in their mouths, they’re free to talk if needed. In public Kjellberg of Interspiro and Andy Nelson of OTS were safety diving, verbal communication with surface personnel extremely generous with their time and expertise. (and sometimes between divers) adds a level of safety for Kjellberg was also instrumental in researching the the divers and makes their work proceed more efficiently. tragic events in Stockholm that got the ball rolling Communications systems come in two varieties, wired and on the use of full face masks in public safety diving. wireless. Since most public safety divers work with a tether, Butch Hendrick of Team Lifeguard Systems provided adding hard-wired communications is not too difficult, us with the expertise used to create the section of the but for those working in environments like a bayou, where article titled “Things to Know About Full Face Masks.” it’s easy to become entangled, or for recreational divers, the Hendrick is also consulting with NAUI on the creation wireless option may be better, though more limited in range. of full face mask training support materials. In addition, OTS is the leader in underwater communications. In fact, the Lt. Steve Brown of the Cambridge Fire Department company frequently works with other manufacturers to help in Cambridge, Massachusetts, helped clarify how integrate communications into full face mask product lines. his water rescue team deploys full face masks and provided details on the specific equipment the team Ambient Breathing uses, including its pros and cons. We extend a big As soon as the full face mask is on the diver’s face, the thanks to these dedicated professionals who develop, diver begins consuming air, so many models have what is train and deploy full face masks to the benefit of the called a “hatch” or “ambient breathing valve,” which allows public around the world. the diver at the surface to don the mask but continue to

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