21 replies to this topic

[jeremypayne]

Anyone dive with a beard?

I recently grew a beard again ... any tips for putting on the mask? Will I need a new one? Chapstick?

Don't want to shave it off and I have a dive trip coming up in June ...

Thanks!

[Steve Williams]

... any tips for putting on the mask?

Grasp the big stretchy part and place it carefully on the back of your head. Watch out if you have big ears. Slowly position the large glass part over you face. Try not to let it snap into place, serious injury can result. The clear portion of the assembly should be in front of your eyes. If you can't see your hand in front of your face remove and try again.

Sorry couln't resist. Seriously partner it shouldn't be a problem. It does help to shave a tiny area under your nose to give the mask a place to seal. Depends on the mask. Be careful with the razor you could end up looking like some dude in a Jimmy Buffet song.

Good luck!
Steve

Edited by Steve Williams, 24 April 2009 - 12:17 PM.

[okuma]

I've dove witha moustache for years and don't shave the top. I probably clear my mask more than normal, but don't notice it.

You may want to weave some small fishing weights into the lower part to keep it from floating up in your face

[jeremypayne]

Sorry couln't resist. Good luck!

Someday, we'll get to do the comedy routine in person ... can't wait!

I'm at this all day meeting today ... and everyone thinks I'm taking real good notes ...

[Giles]

silicone grease can help .. but is hard to wash out .. vasoline just dissipates too quickly.

a good mask may work without anything .. if you exhale out your nose .. it will naturally clear as it slowly leaks.

[expatdiver]

Like Steve said it depends on your mask. I've had some that were worse then others. I normally shave a small area just under my nose during trips and that seems to do the trick.

[bmemike]

I just clear my mask a lot

That's all... never fussed with any remedies. I just know that water will eventually seep a bit and I'll just have to look up and blow some of the water out.

Never really had an issue with it -- though I definitely clear my mask more than most people... but I don't see that as being "a problem" per se.

[TheRealDrew]

Someday, we'll get to do the comedy routine in person ... can't wait!

I'm at this all day meeting today ... and everyone thinks I'm taking real good notes ...

Couple of things:

1.) I have had a beard and goatee in the past, usually not a problem.

2.) You are taking notes, real good notes, but they have nothing to do with the meeting.

3.) On the comedy routine, who gets top billing? Have you and Steve worked this out?

[kornse]

I use the aqua Sphere mask. http://www.aquaspher...ucts/sphera.php It´s a great mask if you can get use too the the glass i bend. But it seals pretty tight.

Mads

[diver dave1]

I have a small tube of vaseline I take with me diving. I keep it in the dive mask case with the anti-fog bottle and mask so its always with the mask. I grease up the mustache just before each dive and have no trouble at all. Often, other divers with mustache's borrow it and like it as well.

I clear off the vaseline after the dive with a towel, then use soap and water when available.
I put new vaseline on for each dive if doing a multi-dive boat trip.

This advice came from my first instructor, who also had a mustache.
Its always worked for me with no leaks.

[jeremypayne]

Couple of things:

Looks like 3 ... but I haven't been good at math in years ... excel ruined me.

3.) On the comedy routine, who gets top billing? Have you and Steve worked this out?

I'm definitely the second banana.

[Gudge]

I've been diving for nearly 30 years and had a beard for all of it. I've never used anything or any or done any trimming to get a good seal and never had any problems as long as I have a mask with a very good fit.

[jeremypayne]

I've been diving for nearly 30 years and had a beard for all of it. I've never used anything or any or done any trimming to get a good seal and never had any problems as long as I have a mask with a very good fit.

Be interesting to see if a good fit without the beard is a good fit with the beard ... I'm gonna go try it out in the pool as soon as I can.

I'm glad to hear people manage to do this without gooping up.

[rtrski]

Jeremy: maybe the Mares liquidskin skirted masks might offer a bit better seal as they're a bit more flexible? That said, I've worn a beard (van dyke) but since mine is usually trimmed pretty short it's kind of 'bristly' vs. laying flat - and I've never gotten a satisfactory seal with it. I don't like the vaseline trick since I've usually got to goop up with sunscreen in the tropics enough as it is, so I shave for dive trips.

I actually think the 'non pore blocking, waterproof' type sunscreens I use make things worse if I don't shave - they aren't hydrophobic so having them coated on your skin between whiskers = enhanced capillary flow, i.e. they reduce the water surface tension in contact with them.

Edited by rtrski, 25 April 2009 - 05:22 AM.

[Aqua_soul]

What i have also found is, the older the beard the easier it is to get a good seal. Basically as the hair goes softer.

[SunChaser]

Been doing it since '77 with no problem; having a good make makes all the difference. I don't drop the mask down around my neck when I surface though; it's a good way to pull some hair!

[okuma]

What i have also found is, the older the beard the easier it is to get a good seal. Basically as the hair goes softer.

Along with other things

[onokai]

Been diving since 82 with a beard and mustache-I like a purge mask and have always used one as it a bit easier to get water out when clearing when holding a camera with no hands for the mask-never use any grease
Mark

Anyone dive with a beard?

I recently grew a beard again ... any tips for putting on the mask? Will I need a new one? Chapstick?

Don't want to shave it off and I have a dive trip coming up in June ...

Thanks!

[John Bantin]

My wife has no problems!

Lat week I noticed my mask was leaking slightly. Someone else noticed my mask strap had broken. I gotta a hairy face. But then so did Falco.

[jeremypayne]

All good ... finally was able to get to a pool over the weekend and tested it out.

Teensy leak, but I wasn't deep. I think I'll be fine with no adjustment or goop. I'm glad 'cause I like my mask.

Thanks, all!