Full face snorkel mask...

[chirurgeon]

Has anyone used the full face snorkeling masks? Standard mask and snorkel have given me panic attacks. I'm hoping not having the thing in my mouth and being able to breathe normally will let me enjoy snorkeling.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Interesting. Actually never heard of that.
Hope it works out for you. Snorkeling is awesome!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I had that mask recommended to me for that reason. You can 'breathe normally', apparently.

The question is what is giving you the panic attack. Is it breathing through your mouth only or is it having something in front of your eyes and nose or just the snorkel in your mouth? That's the key to whether it's better for you.

 

[chirurgeon]

Well I wear glasses, so the eye thing is ok. I really think it's the mouth thing. And not being able to pop my ears.

 

[mumford1]

My family purchased full faced snorkel masks for a trip to the Bahamas. I loved it and would never go back to regular mask and snorkel, my husband liked it as well but had trouble with the face seal due to his beard. My son, who is 10, found it easier to use but didn't love it. I will say they are a bit ridiculous looking but totally worth it!

 

[Marc D]

We have them and would never go back to the old masks. Your field of vision is much wider, you don't have to think about your breathing and some have GoPro attachments so you can film without holding the camera. They take a lot of place in luggage compared to standard masks.

 

[Wdwdreamer101]

My family purchased full faced snorkel masks for a trip to the Bahamas. I loved it and would never go back to regular mask and snorkel, my husband liked it as well but had trouble with the face seal due to his beard. My son, who is 10, found it easier to use but didn't love it. I will say they are a bit ridiculous looking but totally worth it!

How deep were you able to swim down without your ears popping?

 

[Scillycruisers]

I bought one because I didn't get on with a snorkel. It is brilliant, took about 30 seconds to get used to. It makes it harder to get right under the water as there is an air pocket around your face. Looking forward to trying it in warm water!
Have also bought one for my son as he doesn't like a snorkel either, he said it made swimming epic!

 

[Flowerem]

I bought one because I didn't get on with a snorkel. It is brilliant, took about 30 seconds to get used to. It makes it harder to get right under the water as there is an air pocket around your face. Looking forward to trying it in warm water!
Have also bought one for my son as he doesn't like a snorkel either, he said it made swimming epic!

Does anyone mind sharing the brand they purchased? I'm having a hard time deciding which to buy. Thanks!

 

[FigmentSpark]

I found the thread where masks were discussed:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/snorkeling-gear-for-excursions.3573579/

Further into the thread (post 13), this was recommended:
https://www.amazon.ca/Octobermoon-G...anoramic%20Snorkel%20Mask-Full&tag=8013045-20

It says currently unavailable from Amazon, but it will give you a starting point.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I got the Seaview 180 degree mask. I'm taking it on a cruise in a few weeks. I haven't been able to snorkel before because I couldn't do the mouth breathing thing. I'm looking forward to wearing it. I've practiced around the house and it is very comfortable.

 

[Scillycruisers]

Does anyone mind sharing the brand they purchased? I'm having a hard time deciding which to buy. Thanks!

I bought a Techmax one for me and a Hicool for my son. I had no idea either, but they both seem fine so far.

 

[chirurgeon]

I've been checking the reviews on YouTube. They seem pretty positive. Not cruising until next year, but it's on the list.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Another positive of some of these masks if you aren't super comfortable snorkeling is that some of these masks have one way valves that automatically drain water if it gets into your mask, and automatically drain water from your breathing tube when you dive under the water. This makes it a lot easier for non-experienced snorkelers to snorkel without having to manually clear their breathing tube or mask.

 

[Starwind]

Does anyone mind sharing the brand they purchased? I'm having a hard time deciding which to buy. Thanks!

I have not purchased yet but am trying to decide between the Tribord EasyBreath Full Face and the Ocean Reef Aria. Tribord was the original (first) full face snorkeling mask. The others are knock-offs, except it seems the Aria.

The Ocean Reef company has a history of full face SCUBA gear (they are the "inventors of the first integrated diving mask system (IDM)" and according to their Youtube video on the history of the Aria,

, have been making full face masks (for diving) since 1996), so the Aria seems to be an extension of that line of their products rather than an actual knock-off from Tribord. Some review sites online do refer to the Aria as a knockoff, but they may not be aware of the actual history. I prefer to purchase from the original patent holders instead of companies that do knockoffs, often in violation of intellectual property laws. And, knockoffs are often, though not always, inferior products.

The Aria may get my choice because it has more accessories, but Tribord is apparently coming out with some this spring, and we don't sail until December, so there is still much time to decide. The Aria is also available locally at two dive shops in my city, while the Tribord has to be purchased online; they don't have any retailers in the US or Canada, so actually getting a legit one and not a counterfeit one will be challenging. I assume part of the distribution issue is Tribord is from France while Ocean Reef is in California (though their parent company is in Italy). Also, Ocean Reef got back to me within a couple hours of me Facebooking them a message in the middle of the night, while I have yet to hear from Tribord.

Still much more research to do for us.

SW

 

[KVH]

The Tribord, and the Seaview 180, are pretty much considered the best on the market. Note that full face units are "high volume" so you won't be going down very deep. The Seaview has a GoPro mount too.

 

[5Texans]

My family used the Tribord ones on our recent WC trip and they were amazing.

My 5 y/o (REALLY good swimmer) snorkeled in every port and I really liked that I could talk to her while we were snorkeling.

I am also really claustrophobic and I felt that being able to breathe through my nose made it easy to spend long periods of time snorkeling w/o any problem.