Pipe Mask

[S.F.]

Hello.
I did one too.
You can see the pictures on my homepage at
Index Freitauchen.org
Projects / Schwimmbrille mit Belüftung
The Pipes are from a "Pet-Shop". Originally used
for Aquariums. For sealing I take silicone.
Greet Stefan

 

[jome]

Benny, I had a similar problem, but with mine the tube was inserted in the middle of the frame and thus it would block the whole air supply if I didn't equalize soon enough.

I solved this by leaving a little of the tube sticking out (or actually in) from the frame, the putting small holes on the sides of it. So even if the tubes end is sealed by my greasy forehead, air will still come through from the sides. In your case just making a small cut or hole on the "problem are" would do? Or connecting the 2 sides of the goggles with a small piece of tubing?

The sealing effect was kind of cool though, because at one point of the dive you could just stop equalizing and the mask would seal it self and I could spit out the tube and no water would leak in...

Another option would be to do what is shown in the picture I posted above - simply run the tube on both sides and connect the 2 ends with a "Y"-connector - makes for a nice mouthpiece too...

 

[BennyB]

Thanks for the input guys. What looked like a good mask and tested well in a 4m pool didn't do too well when it counted. I thought I was equalising it reasonably well but the thing i've noticed is that it's a really low profile mask and there's hardly any room around the forehead, so even the time between putting my tongue over the tube hole, equalising my ears then taking my tongue off the tube again is enough to allow the mask to press on my forehead and make a seal.

I think i'll go with something like your suggestion Simo and put something in the centre to allow the air to travel through. I'm thinking a piece of inner pen tube should be ok.

Wal I think the tube size is ok because it sits well in my mouth and I can grip it between my teeth to help with equalising both the mask and nose, plus it's the smallest one I could find

Cheers,
Ben

 

[ericvrp]

I used a hot pointy thingy (similar to a screwdriver with a pointy end, called 'priem' in dutch) :head to melt through the mask.

This worked great! I was most afraid to have a big scratch on the mask while otherwise succesfuly drilling a hole in it.

An additional advantage is that you can make the hole just the right size, which is a bit more challenging when drilling.

 

[BennyB]

Last weekend I tried the pipe mask again, this time I had put a piece of tubing from a pen inside it to join the 2 sides. I was diving early Saturday, and late night Friday I was preparing the mask.... when I went to glue the tube to the mask (using cyano acrylate), it would not stick. I cleaned it and tried again with no luck. I tried a different glue (a soft plastics glue) with even less luck, and more fumes. Finally well after midnight I had a look around the flat and found an old packet of chewing gum...... 15 minutes later and we're in business

First dive and as far as functionality goes, the mask now works well, equalising both eyes. The chewy held sort of ok, when the water got around it a bit it started to come loose so I would have to press it down again.

The second day's diving was a bit different.... did my no-fins dive, came up, took mask/noseclip off, gave the ok sign, smiled and said I am OK, and everyone pissed themselves laughing until I peeled off the tube and chewing gum that was stuck to my forehead. Hours later I was still picking bits of gum out of my eyebrows :rcard

Really annoyed now..... can anyone suggest how I can glue this little tube in? it's the inner tube of a pen and i'm attaching it to the top centre of the mask, where the material is silicone, the same as the skirting.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[TRITON]

Here are some pictures of my pipe mask.As you can see I used a Sphera mask.For the connection with the mask I used a PRESTA valve.I've tested it and it works perfectly.

 

[TRITON]

I'll try to upload the pictures later because it's not possible now....

 

[aquatic_mammal]

Benny,

After seeing your contraption more or less in action at salt free, I was pondering a more user friendly version today.

Instead of EQing with your own air, why not attach a really small cylinder [like from a one breath death] to the side of your head, feeding ambient pressure gas through some cunningly adapted regulator device to the goggles on your face, automaticly pressurising your goggles and allowing you to devote all your precious breath to EQ your sinus/ears cavities.

No doubt this would be illegal for competition but for spear fishing or recreational diving, you know it makes sense.

 

[aquatic_mammal]

Or even better

Underwater contact lens - US Patent 5831713

If only...

 

[BennyB]

Nice idea in principle, but the whole idea of the pipe mask is for hands free perfomance in competition, and extra air would be illegal in any competition. Plus for recreational freediving/spearing stuff you really wouldn't put yourself through the hassle of a pipe mask, it's confusing at the best of times!

Cheers,
Ben

 

[daveking]

So, my big question now is can I get paradisio nose clips anymore??

I have been on a virtual world tour and even tried e mailing i Francais( oui oui monsieur!). But to no avail.

Help everyone I need a nose clip!