The debate between whether there is an appreciable difference between a freediving mask vs a SCUBA mask first started when freediving was having its initial surge in popularity. During that time dive shops and retailers where bringing freediving specific equipment, and unfortunately as the market was, and still is smaller, that equipment was typically higher priced.
This lead some to believe that attaching the word “freediving” to a piece of equipment will allow them to automatically charge a premium. Even if the product is no different than its SCUBA diving counter part.
Fortunately, that is not entirely the case as there is in fact a difference in a freediving mask vs a SCUBA mask. Those differences can make a huge impact on diver. In this Article Free Depth will explore some of those differences to help you get the best mask for you. We will also recommend some masks to try.
Mask Volume
One of the main differences between a freediving mask and a SCUBA mask is the internal air volume.
If you are new to the sport of freediving, you may be asking “why is this internal volume so important?” The simple answer is that the greater the volume of air trapped by your mask as you dive, the greater volume of air you will be required to use to equalize the mask as you get deeper.
As a SCUBA mask requires more air volume to equalize, wearing one will reduce your dive time as you have to waste precious oxygen making sure you don’t suffer an ocular barotrauma injury. IN simple terms, the greater volume of air in the mask
Hydrodynamic Mask Design
Whether you are looking to dive to a new personal best, or just stay as long as you can with your favorite fish, all free divers have a common enemy drag. Free divers, especially competitive free divers have been trying to find ways to combat drag since the inception of the sport. Hence why you will see free divers sporting smooth skin wetsuits. Every why to decrease the effect of drag on your body is worth it.
While it might not seem like it, the mask you chose may play a large role in the amount of drag you experience on a dive. Studies with SCUBA divers show that the addition of something as small as a Knife can increase drag by 1%, and a flashlight can increase drag by up to 5%. Thus the increased area created by a mask with a non hydrodynamically designed mask could be create 1-5% more drag than a proper freediving mask. Even though 1-5% might not seem like much, it adds up. Over the course of a dive it could mean as much as several meters of distance, or depth that you can’t attain. All because your mask is literally slowing you down.
Mask Field of Vision
Anther key difference between a freediving mask vs a SCUBA mask is the field of vision. As SCUBA masks are typically high volume, with lenses farther from the face, those lenses can be larger. Both the distance from your face and the size of the lens grant an increased field of view. In some cases the field of view can be almost as wide as when you are not wearing a mask.
One of the exceptions to this rule are masks such as the Aqualung Sphera X Mask have curved lens which wrap around the face. These lenses grant and increase in field of view for the free diver. The downside is that due to the curve of the lenses, they have to be made of plastic which is more prone to scratches and cause distortion at the edges.
Mask Material
While not necessarily a huge difference in the freediving mask vs SCUBA diving mask arena, the material of either mask plays an important role in how they fit and how comfortable a mask is. This is especially pronounced in the cheaper SCUBA masks often found at tourist shops near every beach.
The ideal material for both a good freediving mask and a good SCUBA mask are two separate hardness of silicon. The hardest silicon forms the structure of the mask, ensuring that it maintains its shape. The Softer silicon forms the skirt and nose piece of the mask. This soft silicon will ensure a tight seal against the face without being uncomfortable. It will also ensure the nose piece if flexible enough to be easily pinched during equalization.
So Which Mask to Pick?
Given the information listed above which mask should you pick? Well that is information for another article that Free Depth will put out shortly. So check back in soon.
Conclusion
The difference between freediving masks vs SCUBA masks may be slight, but they add up significantly. Once you start diving to a certain depth, using the wrong type of mask could result in an injury. A bulky mask with high drag will slow you down and keep you from reaching your full potential. At shallow depths having a mask with the wrong materials can cause discomfort to your face and nose.
The moral of the mask story is to pick the right piece of equipment for the sport you are undertaking.
As always, respect the Ocean, dive safe, and have fun.
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Disclaimer
Some of the links in this article point to amazon or similar sites with affiliate programs. While Free Depth is not currently a member of these affiliate programs and does not receive a commission from any sales of those items, that may change in the future. At such a time, this disclaimer will change to clarify Free Depths vested financial interest in the transaction.