Finding the right mask for your little water person!
Whether they are snorkeling on the surface or starting to dive a bit deeper, a dive mask can make or break their underwater experience. This window to the underwater world is an essential piece of equipment, and divers/snorkelers of all ages and levels must have one that fits properly.
As a diver, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of mask choices when visiting your local dive shop, where masks of every color fill the wall display. Even though your mask choices may seem endless, mask selection for junior divers can be relatively limited. Here at Dive Now we have a great range of masks for smaller faces. We have a little underwater adventurer in our family who started snorkeling at the age of 3 and have fitted hundreds of kids into a great mask.
Remember, their initial experiences in the water can be traumatic with a leaking, fogging, uncomfortable mask. You don’t have to spend the earth to ‘get the best mask’ but there are some important features that you do want to look out for.
Tips to Find the Perfect Mask for Your Junior Diver
1.Ensure the volume matches the face.
Most people think that making sure the mask’s frame is the correct size is the most important feature when choosing a child’s mask. However, that is not always the case. Even when selecting a mask frame that is nice and small, if the internal volume is too large, the child will have a hard time equalizing and clearing the mask. Therefore, it is important to match the mask’s volume with the child’s size.
2. Choose a mask made with soft silicone.
In addition to having a mask that is easy to clear and equalize, it is important to fit your child with a comfortable mask that seals well to their face. Choosing a mask with a high-quality soft silicone skirt makes all the difference. Silicone masks start from $39 so it’s something you shouldn’t compromise on. Look out for cheaper imitations such as Silitex.
Supple silicone will create a better seal than lower quality, stiffer silicone masks – and it will last longer. A good seal will ensure your child enjoys every dive without water leaking into their mask.
3. Perform the “suction test”.
Before even wearing a mask in the water, have your junior diver come with you to your local dive shop and perform the “suction test” with several different masks. It is the best way to find a mask that creates a proper seal against your face.
To perform the suction test:
- Have your child place the mask against their face without putting the mask strap over their head.
- Instruct them to gently suck in (or inhale) through their nose and then hold their breath.
- If the mask remains suctioned onto their face for more than a couple of seconds, it has a good seal and should be a good fit.
4. Look for easy-to-use mask buckles.
An important feature of your child’s dive mask is that it is easy to use. Make sure the mask strap buckles are easy to adjust, so your junior diver can change the mask fit quickly and with confidence. We even have masks with a ‘clip syle’ buckle (this was a lifesaver with our little one). Instead of trying to pull a silicone strap over thier hair the clip allows them to hold the mask on their face while you put the strap around thier head and clip it on.
5. Always choose a tempered glass lens.
As parents of young divers, you know that safety is always of the utmost concern. Choosing a mask made with tempered glass lenses offers the highest level of mask safety.
Tempered glass is scratch-resistant, extremely clear, and holds up to increasing pressure while diving. If the mask lens were to break, the glass would crumble into tiny fragments like a car’s windshield instead of large chunks.
6. Choose a fun color!
Having a mask for your child that includes the above features and functions is important, but you also want a mask that your child will want to wear.
Picking a fun, bright color they like, such as pink, blue, or green, will help them take pride in their dive equipment and increase their desire to take good care of it.
7. When all else fails, try a small adult mask.
If you cannot find a high-quality child mask, a small adult mask may do the trick. Many dive equipment manufacturers now make ultra-small framed and low-volume masks.
Visit our online store for a great selection of Junior Mask and Snorkels
If you would like help selecting the right mask for your child then pop into Dive Now and one of us will fit your child with the perfect mask for them. We also run snorkeling programms and Bubble Maker courses (junior try dive) where they will experience Scuba Gear and thier first underwater dives in the safe hands of one of our experienced instructors … plus we let them do bombs in the pool afterwards which seems to be a big hit. Just get in touch!