I basically got a good deal on a used once OTS Guardian. I did my mask drills switching to octo and regular mask and then back to FFM. The selling point for the Guardian is the no fog feature. I have really enjoyed diving with this mask and would recommend this type of mask to any diver.
Very nice and informative video. I recenty purchased a OTS Spectrum mask and took it for its maiden pool dive on Sunday. I LOVE it. It would be great if you could do a video explaining how you re-don a full face mask under water for us inexperienced divers.
This video deserves more views. Great explanations as always. Best scuba channel on youtube! I actually am practicing skills with full face mask currently and learned a lot from your videos. I have the Spectrum and Guardian. Ocean Reef though was dang cool too. I just couldn't buy them all without upsetting wife. HAHAHA.
You're welcome. We will try our best to get a video out for you by the end of the week, if not, we will definitely having it by the middle of next week.
Hello @jacobcugini7975, that is a great question. One of the great things about diving a Full Face Mask is, they do not fog up once the are properly adjusted. With each breath, you are introducing fresh air onto the visor which keeps it fog free.
Hello SV, hope you trip to the UK sailing went well. The Ocean Reef Space Mask is an absolutely awesome mask. I really enjoy mine, and hopefully you will as well.
Could wearing a hood that isn’t compatible with a full face mask cause water to get into the mask? I noticed sometimes a little water will get in not sure if it has something to do with the hood that I’m wearing but I know they do sell hoods that are compatible with a full face mask and perhaps that might eliminate the issue.
Hello @stevenciesiel777, yes that could definitely prevent the mask from sealing properly. Most of the time, with a fully integrated mask, you would still be able to breathe from the mask, but you would rapidly lose air and if the mask wasn't sealed properly, it could cause the mask to fog as well. We have another video showing how to seal a Face Mask when you don't have the proper hood. ua-cam.com/video/K6uY9O_FZf4/v-deo.html
@@LakeHickoryScuba I will check out the video I really do believe that my hood isn’t giving me a good seal. I’ve noticed when I took my ffm in a pool doing some skills without my hood no water would get in. When I took my ffm with my hood on in the lake water would get in. I also notice that the mask kinda vibrates shakes when I’m descending perhaps I have it strapped on too tight and I’m not getting a good seal on top of it.
Hello GimpGunfighter, I would be happy to do a review of it. It seems to be a very popular model for being such a newer Full Face Mask. The only issue is, I don't have one in house to test or to review. If I get one, I will definitely do a review on it though.
Great video. I'm just wondering, when you're using a FFM, Is the air consumption rate affetected in anyway? Overall, do you consider FFM to be better than the traditional mask when it comes to recreational diving? Thanks!
Hello Lean, great question. So saying that wearing a Full Face Mask reduces or raises a diver's air consumption is not as simple as being black or white. It all comes down to a diver's comfort level. For me personally, I much prefer a traditional mask and regulator over a Full Face Mask. My SAC rate increases every time I put one on, which is about 3 times a week. With that being said, I have several divers that work for me, and their SAC rate decreases. They feel more comfortable while wearing it, thus dropping their breathing rate. I wish I could give you a more definitive answer, but it truly is different for everybody.
Well the struggle is real Derek. Here is a video showing you some of the issues I deal with having facial hair, while using a Full Face Mask. ua-cam.com/video/JqSR-iAYDzE/v-deo.html. Hopefully it will be helpful to you.
Most Full Face Mask will have a block system inside the mask, that is designed to close off the nostrils for equalization. Also you can simply swallow or wiggle your jaw, just as you would with a traditional mask.
I use 2 of the Comfort Zone Scuba, Lil Powehouse Lights. They come with their own mounting system. Here is a video showing you how I mount them. ua-cam.com/video/lj42uhlyqA8/v-deo.html
where are you lokated and can you take the full face corse only or do you haft to start the old way i tryed with out full face and cant do it me and pool water dont get allong
Hello Matt, we are located in Taylorsville, North Carolina, on Lake Hickory. There are two ways to take the Full Face Mask Course. First you must be an Open Water Certified Diver to register to take the Full Face Mask Course, or you can take it in conjunction with the Open Water Course. During which, you will earn two certifications, both the Open Water Scuba Certification and the Full Face Mask Certification. All skills will need to be completed for both programs if you combine them, including removing and replacing both a traditional mask and a Full Face Mask. If you have any more questions, please feel free to give us a call, 828-632-7649, or you can email us as well. lakehickoryscuba@gmail.com
If you forget to close the surface valve and happen to go head down for something it'll flood in at that point, or the ones we have for the dive Rescue team here do. Easy to clear but we have found that ours will flood if that valve is open and we go inverted.
This is very true, but like you said, an easy fix. The surface air valve opening is through the visor portion of the mask and not the internal mask. So a diver should have plenty of time to to realize the Surface Air Valve is open and shut it before to much water floods in.
Hello J John, great question. One of the biggest benefits to using a Full Face Mask is, you never have to defog your mask. When you breathe in, you will always have fresh air entering the visor area of the mask, which prevents any type of fogging issues. This is of course as long as the mask is properly seated to the divers face.
@@LakeHickoryScuba That would depend on which FFM. The OTS Spectrum, for example, only flushes air through the oronasal pocket, not across the visor; mine tends to fog up if I don't use conventional anti-fog methods.
We get more force (negative pressure) below our diaphragm when we breathe through our mouth, thus making it easier to get more air. When we breathe though our nose, the negative pressure isn't as great, thus the cavitation you mention can occur. A few things I would suggest is, relax a little more, and make sure your mask's cracking pressure is matched to the intermediate pressure of your first stage. This should make breathing easier.
Hello Rithy, that is a great question. Since water is 4 times as elastic as air, sound waves travel 4 times faster underwater. However we need a large enough air space to be able to interpret what is being said. This is where the Full Face Mask comes in. At close range, the internal air space of the Full Face Mask allows a person to speak, and the sound will travel fast enough towards the other mask, thus allowing enough space for the sound waves to be interpreted by the other diver. The sound is still relatively muffled as it is traveling through 2 different mediums (air and water), but if spoken slowly enough and articulated, 2 divers can have a conversation relatively easy.
I basically got a good deal on a used once OTS Guardian. I did my mask drills switching to octo and regular mask and then back to FFM. The selling point for the Guardian is the no fog feature. I have really enjoyed diving with this mask and would recommend this type of mask to any diver.
Hello @solvenprepper6906, glad to hear that the Guardian is working for you.
Very nice and informative video. I recenty purchased a OTS Spectrum mask and took it for its maiden pool dive on Sunday. I LOVE it. It would be great if you could do a video explaining how you re-don a full face mask under water for us inexperienced divers.
We have several more Full Face Mask videos coming out in the very near future. Stay Tuned.
This video deserves more views. Great explanations as always. Best scuba channel on youtube! I actually am practicing skills with full face mask currently and learned a lot from your videos. I have the Spectrum and Guardian. Ocean Reef though was dang cool too. I just couldn't buy them all without upsetting wife. HAHAHA.
Thanks for the kind words KayakDIY.
Thank you so much for this video..
Can you please made a video for us to compare between the ocean reef full face mask and the OTS
We can do that, thank you for the video suggestion.
LakeHickoryScuba 👌🏼 I’ll be waiting for it .. thank you
You're welcome. We will try our best to get a video out for you by the end of the week, if not, we will definitely having it by the middle of next week.
Just got one and love it
Glad you like your new Full Face Mask Keith Bennett.
After watching this video I’m now sold on the full face mask, thanks.
You’re welcome Dion, glad our video made your decision easier.
Newly certified open water diver. This answered most of my questions, but I have one more. How do you handle a foggy full face mask?
Hello @jacobcugini7975, that is a great question. One of the great things about diving a Full Face Mask is, they do not fog up once the are properly adjusted. With each breath, you are introducing fresh air onto the visor which keeps it fog free.
I have the exact same mask. Dont got the extenfer kit on it yet.
Just got back from the uk sailing. Now i gotta catch up on your videos.
Hello SV, hope you trip to the UK sailing went well. The Ocean Reef Space Mask is an absolutely awesome mask. I really enjoy mine, and hopefully you will as well.
May I ask; Where did you get the flashlight retainer/holders for your full face mask? I need one. Thank You.
Hello wingrovedl, we sell them with the Comfort Zone Scuba Lil Powerhouse lights.
Could wearing a hood that isn’t compatible with a full face mask cause water to get into the mask? I noticed sometimes a little water will get in not sure if it has something to do with the hood that I’m wearing but I know they do sell hoods that are compatible with a full face mask and perhaps that might eliminate the issue.
Hello @stevenciesiel777, yes that could definitely prevent the mask from sealing properly. Most of the time, with a fully integrated mask, you would still be able to breathe from the mask, but you would rapidly lose air and if the mask wasn't sealed properly, it could cause the mask to fog as well. We have another video showing how to seal a Face Mask when you don't have the proper hood. ua-cam.com/video/K6uY9O_FZf4/v-deo.html
@@LakeHickoryScuba I will check out the video I really do believe that my hood isn’t giving me a good seal. I’ve noticed when I took my ffm in a pool doing some skills without my hood no water would get in. When I took my ffm with my hood on in the lake water would get in. I also notice that the mask kinda vibrates shakes when I’m descending perhaps I have it strapped on too tight and I’m not getting a good seal on top of it.
Nice job sir!! Always great videos from you!
Thank You and glad you liked it.
Great info-I also Instruct O.R. like all your presentation!
Hello James, glad you liked our video. We will be producing several more Full Face Mask videos in the near future, so stay tuned.
Brian could you do a video on the OTS Spectrum in regards to features and the like thanks again love your videos there super helpful
Hello GimpGunfighter, I would be happy to do a review of it. It seems to be a very popular model for being such a newer Full Face Mask. The only issue is, I don't have one in house to test or to review. If I get one, I will definitely do a review on it though.
Great video. I'm just wondering, when you're using a FFM, Is the air consumption rate affetected in anyway? Overall, do you consider FFM to be better than the traditional mask when it comes to recreational diving? Thanks!
Hello Lean, great question. So saying that wearing a Full Face Mask reduces or raises a diver's air consumption is not as simple as being black or white. It all comes down to a diver's comfort level. For me personally, I much prefer a traditional mask and regulator over a Full Face Mask. My SAC rate increases every time I put one on, which is about 3 times a week. With that being said, I have several divers that work for me, and their SAC rate decreases. They feel more comfortable while wearing it, thus dropping their breathing rate. I wish I could give you a more definitive answer, but it truly is different for everybody.
I am hoping to try a FFM. How is it with the facial hair
Well the struggle is real Derek. Here is a video showing you some of the issues I deal with having facial hair, while using a Full Face Mask. ua-cam.com/video/JqSR-iAYDzE/v-deo.html. Hopefully it will be helpful to you.
Hi, how can we equalize the ear with this mask which seems to be no place to pinch the nose?
Most Full Face Mask will have a block system inside the mask, that is designed to close off the nostrils for equalization. Also you can simply swallow or wiggle your jaw, just as you would with a traditional mask.
Does training involves removing and replacing the full face mask and clearing it underwater?
It sure does Allister Lee.
Always wanted to know this lol thnxs!
You’re welcome
what light mounts are u using
I use 2 of the Comfort Zone Scuba, Lil Powehouse Lights. They come with their own mounting system. Here is a video showing you how I mount them. ua-cam.com/video/lj42uhlyqA8/v-deo.html
where are you lokated and can you take the full face corse only or do you haft to start the old way i tryed with out full face and cant do it me and pool water dont get allong
Hello Matt, we are located in Taylorsville, North Carolina, on Lake Hickory. There are two ways to take the Full Face Mask Course. First you must be an Open Water Certified Diver to register to take the Full Face Mask Course, or you can take it in conjunction with the Open Water Course. During which, you will earn two certifications, both the Open Water Scuba Certification and the Full Face Mask Certification. All skills will need to be completed for both programs if you combine them, including removing and replacing both a traditional mask and a Full Face Mask. If you have any more questions, please feel free to give us a call, 828-632-7649, or you can email us as well. lakehickoryscuba@gmail.com
If you forget to close the surface valve and happen to go head down for something it'll flood in at that point, or the ones we have for the dive Rescue team here do. Easy to clear but we have found that ours will flood if that valve is open and we go inverted.
This is very true, but like you said, an easy fix. The surface air valve opening is through the visor portion of the mask and not the internal mask. So a diver should have plenty of time to to realize the Surface Air Valve is open and shut it before to much water floods in.
do you get the same pressure when using a ccr
Hello Devine, great question. We typically do not use Full Face Mask with CCR's or SCR's.
Would there be to much of a risk of flooding the loop if you did? Im a ccr diver but have no clue about full face masks never used one
Best info bro...👍🏻
Glad you liked our video.
Is the pool heated
Yes the pool you see in the video is. It averages between 75-85 degrees.
How do you address fogging? Is it an issue? (of course use of defog helps, but...)
Hello J John, great question. One of the biggest benefits to using a Full Face Mask is, you never have to defog your mask. When you breathe in, you will always have fresh air entering the visor area of the mask, which prevents any type of fogging issues. This is of course as long as the mask is properly seated to the divers face.
@@LakeHickoryScuba That would depend on which FFM. The OTS Spectrum, for example, only flushes air through the oronasal pocket, not across the visor; mine tends to fog up if I don't use conventional anti-fog methods.
This is very true SeikiBrian, and Thank You for pointing that out.
interesting video. Thanks
You're welcome John.
I have the same mask as you when I breathe through my mouth it works fine but when I breathe through my nose it cavitates a little any advice
We get more force (negative pressure) below our diaphragm when we breathe through our mouth, thus making it easier to get more air. When we breathe though our nose, the negative pressure isn't as great, thus the cavitation you mention can occur. A few things I would suggest is, relax a little more, and make sure your mask's cracking pressure is matched to the intermediate pressure of your first stage. This should make breathing easier.
Thanks
You're welcome.
How do you talk ffm to ffm without comms?
Hello Rithy, that is a great question. Since water is 4 times as elastic as air, sound waves travel 4 times faster underwater. However we need a large enough air space to be able to interpret what is being said. This is where the Full Face Mask comes in. At close range, the internal air space of the Full Face Mask allows a person to speak, and the sound will travel fast enough towards the other mask, thus allowing enough space for the sound waves to be interpreted by the other diver. The sound is still relatively muffled as it is traveling through 2 different mediums (air and water), but if spoken slowly enough and articulated, 2 divers can have a conversation relatively easy.
@@LakeHickoryScuba love your videos. Thanks for the reply!
Thank You and you are welcome, glad you are enjoying our videos