Greg Deskin

Purge masks have been around since the 1960’s. The purge valve can be useful in clearing your mask. Everyone learns how to clear their mask without a purge, so why would it be useful?

It all started with underwater hunters and photographers. With one hand busy holding onto something, it soon became apparent that being able to clear your mask without the use of your hands was something to cheer about. The problem with purge masks in the past was the neoprene rubber would eventually crack and the mask would leak. Today’s purge masks are made with silicone rubber. The silicone is elastic and will give you years of service. Maybe it is time to consider some of these purge masks:

1. XS Scuba Fusion Mask. This mask has a custom skirt that allows the air bubbles to flow outside of your field of view.
2. Scuba Max MK170 Mask. This mask gives you a full panoramic field of view without having your vision blocked by the mask frame.
3. U.S. Divers Avalon Mask. This mask has a skirt that is made from PVC (plastic). It is pretty inexpensive. I do not believe PVC mask skirts will give long term comfort.
4. Oceanic Prizm2 Mask. This mask fits most medium to large faces. I like the high volume purge value and most students love it during the mask clearing exercise in their open water class.
5. Sherwood Magnum Ex Mask. This mask is one of the very few lower volume masks with side windows. This mask will fit most large faces.
6. Zeagle Ranger Mask. This mask comes in its own hard case and is made of crystal silicone. This is a low volume, very comfortable mask.
7. SeaVision Transvision 2000 Mask. This is the mask I wear. Besides the standard purge and black silicone rubber, what I love most about the mask is the color correcting lens. I feel this mask gives me a truer color balance for my underwater photos.

Greg Deskin has been a PADI Course Director for over 12 years. With thousands of certified students, he has been asked many questions about scuba and scuba equipment. You can visit his scuba lesson website at http://www.classicscuba.com or read about other SCUBA topics at http://www.scuba-info.com

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