Why another talk on fogged masks? Is there something new? A game changer?
No, there isn’t anything like that. This is just yet another repetition of the same old fogged mask argument.
But there is a widespread suggestion the we don’t understand, a habit that we don’t like, and a consideration that we rarely have encountered in the many topics we have seen, read, and heard so far, and without start a clash between factions, we also want to tell our.
So, the PROBLEM: either it is a new mask still in a nice and polished box, or either it is no longer new, with hundreds and hundreds logged dives, the mask can be contaminated due artificial oils and natural dirt. These oils and dirt are what make our masks fogged and that we must somehow remove, and of course, what interests us, is the internal side of the mask. Both, the glass and the soft silicon part.
Artificial oils are the protective film that any new mask has, but even the sun cream. More rarely, we hope, it could be liquid floating at the surface, probably lost by boats. Natural dirt is sweat mixed with any dead skin, hairs, and various residues, like sun cream for example. Bare nape, forehead, neck and hands are all good sources of both. Even our exhaled breath can contaminate our mask.
In addition, many divers have the habit, which we don’t understand, of leaving their masks in a bucket that contains many other masks, some soap, rarely any sanitizer, a good amount of divers’ spit, and where anyone can reach in with sun-creamed hands, or with hands that are not clean. It is often the origin of contamination.
As a preventive measure, between dives, some divers like to keep their masks wet and humid, and what better place than the mask bucket? But a quick risk-benefit analysis might suggest other options, like carefully positioning the mask in our box, with a bit of water inside it. And if this isn’t possible? Don’t worry, we can still save our next dives.
And indeed, now we talk exactly about SOLUTIONS.
The single most effective action to clean a mask is to burn off the oils lying on the glass, using a lighter (not a flamethrower). It’s easy, we only have to find the right distance between the flame and the tempered (!) glass, then keep the flame moving, avoiding stopping it too long in the same spot. The black film that forms is the burned oils removable with a tissue, or even better, rinseable with water and soap.
Of course, flame and silicone are not the best of friends, and oils on the silicone part cannot be burned. But by keeping the flame moving and avoiding direct flame on the silicone part, it is unlikely to be damaged.
How often we have to repeat this procedure depends on how quickly and how much we dirty our mask. This is therefore also influenced by how dirty or clean our bare nape, forehead, neck, and hands are. It also depends on how often we exhale into it and even how well or poorly we take care of it between dives.
In addition to this “one-time brutal solution”, divers can be split (split, not spit) into two categories.
The first are those who have finally found their solution in anti-fog spray or liquid. Many of these divers would not renounce it, and instructions on how to use them are surely provided by the producer, so they are not very interesting here in this topic. We only add that this is the second suggestions we do not like.
Surely it works, and any complaints we could raise about it could easily be retorted to us and to the other solutions we like more:
“The liquid is an artificial product!”, but also the other products we will soon be talking about are artificial.
“It is another plastic container”, but also the other products we will soon be talking about are in a plastic container.
“It can burn eyes”, but also the other products we will soon be talking about could burn eyes if not properly rinsed.
Maybe it is because we feel it is an overcomplication, or maybe it is the attitude we have seen in some of its users: “I cannot dive without it!”.
Anyway, while anyone is surely free to adopt the best solution for themselves, at least beginners who are just starting to dive now, might consider the idea of doing without it.
This brings us to the second category: the divers who almost hate these anti-fog products.
These are the artists of finding new ways to use products we all have in our houses, and often even aboard the boat from which we dive: toothpaste or some kind of soap, for dish either for personal use, such as body wash or shampoo.
Among the most available degreasers, toothpaste is surely the most popular: non-toxic, cheap, easily available, and it works. And here it came the resolutive tip we rarely have encountered so far: many divers spread a layer of toothpaste just a few minutes before diving. But toothpaste works best when it becomes dry on the mask’s glass, absorbing and collecting oils and dirt. So for example, when we spread the toothpaste after the last dive of the day, leaving it until the first dive of the next day.
Spreading toothpaste between two consecutive dives usually does not allow it to dry completely, but on a mask that is regularly treated, it should not be a problem. Soaps work similarly to toothpaste, but not as well.
Differently from the lighter’s flame, toothpaste and soap can and should be used also on the silicone part of the mask. Leaving a layer of toothpaste on it during the weeks or months passed without diving will not ruin it and will prevent the accumulation of dirt, also eliminating any dirt left or accumulated after the last use.
In CONCLUSION to our contribution to the fogged mask evergreen debate.
A fogged mask can ruin a dive or even a whole vacation. But keeping it clean is easy and cheap. It requires very limited tools: a lighter, some toothpaste, and a bit of care. Anti-fog spray is an option, but not strictly necessary.
We don’t always have the possibility to let the smeared toothpaste become totally dry, and if this happens because there isn’t enough time due to the next dive or some snorkeling between dives, then it’s okay, it shouldn’t be a problem.
With very little effort, applying the toothpaste even after a dive where the mask’s glass was perfectly clean, helps to prevent problems during the next precious dive. We should do our best to protect our mask between two daily dives by avoiding the shared communal mask bucket and by not leaving it just anywhere, at the mercy of contamination.
And what about the good old spit? It can be useful, especially as a last resort, just moments before jumping into the water. Often, it even becomes a relaxing and comfortable habit, especially for those divers who don’t really trust their cleaning job. Provided, however, that the mask isn’t too dirty. In that case, a more decisive removal of the dirt might be necessary.
Thank you for reading!
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