Max. depth with swimming goggles?

[seaflower]

Hello all,

I hope you can help me.

At the moment, I'm only pooltraining (distance, not depth),
and because chlorine is really bad for my eyes, I have to wear goggles
(in natural water, I don't wear any).
Since I normally don't use them, I'm unsure as to what depth I can dive without harming my eyes.
The pools I have access to are 7ft (2m) deep, and I often swim along the bottom.

I found a similar thread discussing this, but the "critical depth" wasn't really mentioned...do you think I'm safe at around 2m?
I use Speedo silicone swimming goggles with polycarbonate lenses.

 

[Azrael3000]

2 meters really should not be any problem at all.

Now let the discussion begin. Generally it will depend on the volume of your goggles as well as the compressibility of the skirt.

 

[seaflower]

And what's better, less volume or more?
(<<clueless. I really hate the things. They mostly leak for me, too.)

My current goggles are rather small.
Still, the "suction feel" is quite big and uncomfortable.
I also have a pair of Malmsten ones, but those feel like my eyes will pop out even above water

 

[WesPowell]

You will be fine swimming laps in a pool since that is what they are made for. Wear them as loose as you can while still providing a seal.

I took a trip a few months ago where my mask broke and I had to resort to a pair of swimming googles to enjoy the rest of the day. I dove down to 15m and that was the limit for me. The difference between feeling tight and ripping out my eyes was a very small distance.... like half a meter. It surprised me and I ripped them off my face and headed back to the surface with my eyes closed.

 

[seaflower]

ouch!!

guess this won't happen in a normal swimming pool, even if swimming in 2-3m depths for a considerable time.

I wonder if there are freedivers about who dive without goggles?
wouldn't it be much less hassle, provided you can stand (salt)water in your eyes
and you can still see well enough?

my only concern are infections (most lakes are quite gross) and chlorine (pools).
I wouldn't wear goggles in the sea.

 

[baiyoke]

I start feeling it around 3m, but can go to 3,8m (perhaps more...).

Sounds to me like the straps are too tight, there's a really fine libe between having them keeping the water out and being too tight. Try different ones, find some that fits. Cheap ones might do the job just fine...

If it's such a big problem why don't you wear a mask. Either one with a nosetip (can be equalized), or the ones without (I haven't tried it, but others have): [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Sphere-Seal-Clear-SilverBlack/dp/B000ENORGG/ref=sr_1_2?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1368562471&sr=1-2&keywords=swim+mask"]Amazon.com: Aqua Sphere Seal Swim Mask (Clear Lens/SilverBlack): Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413JASZG27L.@@AMEPARAM@@413JASZG27L[/ame]

 

[penguinbilly]

I've never found a pair of goggles that fit me so i use a nose-less mask like the one above.. fine down to 5m and can't feel a thing. Only drawback is that it apparently dulls dive reflex as more of the face is kept dry.

I guess the main thing is to feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Sounds like the problems more with the fit rather than the pressure.

 

[seaflower]

thanks for the replies!

I might try out the mask.
Although, for me, wearing nothing at all might work best.

With a mask it's similar to goggles- either they fit and are waterproof, or they don't and leak xD
I must have a funny face, since goggles or masks are both uncomfortably tight, yet still leak.
So. Natural is the way to go

 

[Apneaddict]

I used to wear the Aquasphere Seal "noseless mask", as it seals great and is very compressible (it's a Sphera without the nose), but now use Aquasphere Kayenne goggles which expose much more of the face and are the best sealing "goggles" that I've ever used.

I've taken then to -5m in the pool and they were fine.

The Seal is better for depth, but the Kayenne is pretty good and compresses ok.

I obviously prefer a mask for depth - even -5m.

 

[Kars]

Consider how you put the goggles / mask on, the strap needs to be placed at the right level, play around and discover it. I've seen many people put it way to low and then really tight to prevent leakage. Start by putting one band above the bulge of your scull, and one band below.

Secondarily consider the nosebrige distance, and your face width. Adjust accordingly. Many goggles have a fixed distance, which is a no no if your head is not their standard

 

[seaflower]

Consider how you put the goggles / mask on, the strap needs to be placed at the right level, play around and discover it.

yeah, I was in the pool today, and after some frustrating minutes fiddling around with the straps, I found a good position which wasn't too painful yet kept watertight the entire 3 hours.
Leaking mostly starts at a depth of 2m, so I'll avoid going deeper than that with goggles.

Obviously, I'll have to invest into a good diving mask sooner or later.
Wearing nothing probably ain't too good either; I could observe quite a bit of filth and stuff floating around today, even in a pool :/