Arg!!! I can't see!

[Dr. Hawk]

Diving Masks,

Most of us use em, and they form a love hate relationship with us. On one hand it allows our unsuited eyes to see a world that we rarely see. This could be a pool, or a cave, we see the beauty of the water around us. On the other hand we have our enemy, THE FOG! (cue evil music). Nothing is more irritating than having condensation make it seem like you got cataracts, or worse. My question is what do you guys do about it? I spent 5 bucks for a defogging gel, only to find its garbage. My pools shower gel works 100x better than it. However I am wondering if there are more permanent methods or better products, cause in the end spit only works so well. (Or my spit just is not good enough)

Hawk

 

[Andrew the fish]

there is an art in spitting I would think. Firstly, it should be very proteinous gumus, sorta backdrippings from the very rear of your mouth, not saliva. Spit on dry glass and rub well, then rinse in such way that you don't wash away the newly formed film. From then on, I find it important to have well-fitting mask and also control your gas exchange inside the mask too. In other words do not breath in or out of it, only compensate as necessary.

 

[Dr. Hawk]

The only breathing I do in the mask is to equalize. Plus I have a good fit. Generally speaking my mask works fine, and its mostly by going OCD over the TINY BIT OF FOG IN THE UPPER CORNER! *rage* That being said I am just trying to further enhance what I know, but much thanks!

 

[JennyWren]

A bit of phlegm worked into the spit seems to do wonders for me...

 

[Spear0Joe]

Have a go with toothpaste!

 

[_Aaron_]

A guy i made my first dive with on saipan picked some leaves off a vIne and rubbed it on my lense. Seemed to work well; wish i knew what Plant he used and if it is growing anywhere outside of the marianas

 

[Chris_C_NZ]

Ok firstly, if your mask is new and you havent cleaned the residue off it, do that first. Get some normal white (not the gel stuff) toothpaste, dab a little amount onto your finger and gently rub the inside of your glass. This will remove any residue. Dont scratch too hard as it is abrasive.

If the mask isnt new, then I suggest you try:-

Mild soap solution, a squirt of dishwasher liquid in some water, sprayed onto or smeared on with cotton wool/sponge to the glass. Leave to dry.

Hydrophyllic solution from opticians/oakley store. Oakley lense cleaner and, more specifically, Water sports lense cleaner, are good at stopping the fogging from distorting vision. A bit pricey, but will last a while (about 6 months for me on normal glasses).

Any aftermarket treatment that attracts water.

Learn to flood/clear mask more regularly.

 

[Mr. X]

I've seen some recommend and others recommend against the old (white) toothpaste trick / flame trick - which is recommended by some, usually for new masks. A dive instructor pal swears by white toothpaste on new masks. Some masks (especially the Taiwanese Omer masks it seems) often have some "gum" on the lens when they are new (some say silicone, some say mould releasing compound).

I tried the toothpaste (with blue gel, then white Colgate toothpaste) and the flame trick on my Omer Alien (which has been the worst mask for fogging up I've used) neither seemed to make any noticeable difference - positive or negative. A cheap, old fashion white toothpaste or toothpowder might work better - a lot of modern toothpastes use mica as the abrasive which I suspect might be too fine for this task. After about 2 years, the problem just went away and all that was required then was a little phlegm rubbed into the inside of each lens at the start of each dive seems to be enough.

I've been using an Italian made Seacsub X-combat mask for a couple of years and fogging hasn't really been much of an issue. Some phlegm rubbed in at the start of the dive is usually enough. A quick swill with sea-water thereafter if things fog up while out at sea.

As an alternative to expensive defoggers, you could try Glycerine/Glycerol from your local chemist - works quite well and is also a well known rubber lubricant/protector for O-rings, seals, speargun rubbers, etc. (a cheap alternative to expensive silicone sprays). Supposed to be good for your skin too (and is allegedly edible and sweet, derived from fat I think).

Alternatively Lidl's basic, clear shower gel without colouring or scent, simply packaged & usually very cheap (35p a bottle or there abouts) - after having trouble finding it a while back we bought 5 or 6 bottles. Mixed with water it makes a decent wetsuit lube (esp. for spearfishing) - would probably be a good shower gel to try in your mask (as you already rate shower gel for this task). It can also be used as ... shower gel - no need to feel wasteful at this price but unfortunately no Lynx babe-magnet effect.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXb_hHt9pYM]Chicks gone crazy on the beach / Lynx - Axe advert. - YouTube[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibN4ewcodZ4]Lynx Shower Gel advert (UK) - Beach / Do The Wash (July 2011) - YouTube[/ame]

 

[robdigital]

I always rinse mask, spit in mask and give it a good rub in, rinse again - and before i put the mask on wet my face a couple of times with water then mask on and get in quick = no condensation, well works for me anyway.

 

[Dr. Hawk]

Thanks for the ideas all!

 

[ReefTroll]

As already mentioned, I use toothpaste to remove the film on the lens, then a good old spit and rinse does wonders.