Snorkelling equipment

[FigmentSpark]

Anyone have any thoughts on the "Body Glove Aire Adult Free Breath Snorkel Mask"



Our Costco has these right now. It's just the mask. I have trouble with the other mouth thing and I wondered if this is a better choice for me? Has anyone used it? Which would you prefer, this or a regular mask and mouthpiece and why?

 

[Starwind]

I have and use an Ocean Reef Aria full face snorkeling mask [https://snorkeling.oceanreefgroup.com/]. I have the Classic model, the only one available at the time I bought mine.

I went with the Aria for several reasons:

(1) I did a LOT of reading online about the risks/dangers/issues with full face masks (if you haven't done such research, Google is your friend and I highly suggest doing some reading); This article is a good overview and starting point: https://watchyourselves.com/are-full-face-snorkel-masks-safe/

(2) Ocean Reef was the original company to develop fill face snorkeling masks, after years of producing full face diving masks. Its what they *do* as a company, and they have lots of experience doing it *right*;

(3) from everything I read, I was confident that Ocean Reef had a safe and properly functional design. In practice, I have had no issues using it.

(4) there are a lot of knockoffs out there. I refuse to support those who engage in IP theft and choose to spend the extra to buy originals. In addition, as you read about the risks, you will find that the issues are predominantly with the knockoffs, which are often not designed properly so that you end up rebreathing too much exhaled air - the consequences can be deadly. There are two primary companies that consistently came up recommended as the "good" and safe ones, and Ocean Reef is one of them.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with the Body Glove mask you are asking about -- I know nothing about it. Just do your research carefully.

SW

 

[FigmentSpark]

Thanks. I had no idea there were any risks.

 

[FigmentSpark]

This is the promo write-up on the Costco site. That article was very informative.

 

[ludari]

I am aware of the risks from these various full face snorkeling masks but from a packing point of view I would prefer to use a dive masks and snorkel since they take up less room in my suitcase.

 

[Rob1872]

I used a full face snorkel mask like that on our last CC trip. Had a wonderful time with it, but after reading all of the warnings about high CO2 in some versions I didn't put it on while I was swimming out to all of the underwater objects. I put it on when I was all the way out there and not exerting a lot of energy.

 

[truck1]

Anyone have any thoughts on the "Body Glove Aire Adult Free Breath Snorkel Mask"

View attachment 473321

Our Costco has these right now. It's just the mask. I have trouble with the other mouth thing and I wondered if this is a better choice for me? Has anyone used it? Which would you prefer, this or a regular mask and mouthpiece and why?

I used to work in a dive shop fitting masks and snorkels among other things. What trouble do you have with a snorkel mouthpiece?

 

[FigmentSpark]

I used to work in a dive shop fitting masks and snorkels among other things. What trouble do you have with a snorkel mouthpiece?

lol - remembering to breathe through it instead of my nose. I thought the face mask would be more natural and comfortable.

 

[cedricandsophie]

I have tried for years to breathe through the snorkel mouth piece. It was just too hard to get it down and I always ended up holding my breath as I looked through the mask. I finally got a full face mask a couple of years ago. I can finally actually snorkel for more than a few seconds. My only problem is how hot it gets inside the mask. I end up lifting it up to breath real air every couple minutes.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Oh, that's a good point. I never thought about it getting hot, but that makes sense.

 

[truck1]

lol - remembering to breathe through it instead of my nose. I thought the face mask would be more natural and comfortable.

Gotcha. For some reason I'm not getting notifications for this page. 99% of the women who came to the shop, their issue usually was either the mouthpiece was too big or the mask wasnt fit properly. Or both. It's why I never really suggest the big big box stores 10 dollar package.

It takes a little practice to get the hang of it

 

[catali150]

Maybe you could try practicing breathing with a mask and snorkel in a swimming pool?

Agree to get properly fitted for both snorkel and mask and then practice in a calm environment. May seem like an investment but if you take care of the equipment they’ll last for years if not decades.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

A few years back i got fed up with ill fitting masks (narrow face here) so I splurged and got a really good mask for myself and my wife (wide face there). The difference in our enjoyment was immediate and immense. Getting fitted by a pro at the local scuba shop made all the difference in the world for us. Our snorkles are fine, but for Christmas DD1 (the other enthusiastic snorkeler in the family) wanted to get my wife a set of Atomic split fins...and there we go down the road of our own gear. It was a workout for me to keep up with those two with my short travel fins!

 

[pjacobi]

In Hawaii, there is pending bill to ban all full-face masks. There are already some snorkel tours in Hawaii that will not allow full-face masks.


-Paul