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#1110
Full Face Mask
Btrax - 8/26/2014 5:05 PM
Category: New Diver Q&A
Replies: 10

Am interested in diving with a full face mask. I think this would be great for dry dives in winter.. I have been looking at ots guardian and ocean reef. Any input would be appreciated
#6220
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OUBobcat - 8/26/2014 7:31 PM
I would try them out before buying. I had the same thoughts as you until I tried them. To me they felt very claustrophobic and I’ve never had that feeling than other when I tried one out. The one I tried was the OceanReef. I’ve always wanted to try an OTS but never got the chance so far just to be able to compare them.
#3083
RichKeller - 8/27/2014 3:01 AM
I think you would be much better off using the Kirby Morgan mask for about the same money. Scuba manufactures make full face masks as a side line, Kirby Morgan makes them for a living. This mask was designed to meet commercial & military standards and made to be modular so it can be configured any way you like now and will be easy to upgrade in the future. This also allows you to remove the reg if needed and keep the mask in place or to use with a rebreather. Unlike scuba manufactures Kirby Morgan parts are available to anyone who needs them.

kirbymorgan.com/products/full-face-masks/m-48-mod-1
#20357
LatitudeAdjustment - 8/27/2014 4:52 AM
From TColJeep: In a case of regulator failure, out of air situation or switching over to a Deco gas you will need to remove the face mask, switch over to your octopus and don a spare mask. You definitely want to practice this in a pool as it may save your life.

This is a must, I worked as a rescue diver for human powered submarine races, many of the two man crews wore full face mask so they could talk but didn’t carry spares and had never practiced switching :(
#1110
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Btrax - 8/31/2014 8:10 AM
Thank you all for your input. I will definitely try them out before i buy, and if i do as i am an ex military pilot - emergency procedure practice is a must for me. I usually try something on the way back on every dive, i.e.: mask removal and swim...
#33
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SafeT - 3/10/2015 5:54 PM
I also recommend the Kirby Morgan.. The Neptune is a good fitting mask for a thin face.
#1110
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Btrax - 3/11/2015 3:03 PM
ok..

So i tried on a few different Full Face Masks. Decided on the OTS for several reasons. Comfort, serviceability, all public divers use them. MY local shop services them, easy in easy out. I took a PADI FFM course and now all my winter water dives and cold water dives are FFM. I have 20 or so hours on this mask already and am pleased at my decision. It is quite a bit different and takes a bit to get used to but i am glad i made the choice. It is another good piece of gear in my bag for another kind of diving. Next its ice diving lol.
#33
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SafeT - 4/22/2015 2:49 PM
If you want to see several full face masks in use, watch a TV show called Barien Sea Gold on Friday evening on discovery channel. They show several gold dredge teams working AND using Kirby Morgan OTS AGA and several other brands. Also it shows commercial divers using a couple of different hookah dive rigs. No nome are shown, but the design and colors will narrow it down if your interested. It is just another reality show, but for divers, very informative.
#86
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CharlesGraves - 6/22/2018 12:10 AM
IMO because of the risks, I’d say this would be a good shallow dive mask, but I’d recommend avoiding it for deeper dives especially dives which require switching gases