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As with anything, full face snorkel masks have their issues. Nothing is perfect in this world, we’ve all got our flaws! While we reckon our Ninja Shark masks are quite solid (only because we’ve worked so hard to perfect them!), there are other snorkel masks out there that can cause a range of issues for the user.
Here are the most common full face snorkel mask issues we’ve read about (and sought to fix with our snorkel masks). The best you can do is be aware of potential problems and try to avoid them before they occur. And if you’re experiencing a problem that hasn’t been mentioned below, feel free to message us! We’d love to help out.
Buildup of CO2 in the snorkel mask is becoming more and more common as more dodgy, cheap snorkel masks are sold on the internet. It’s tempting to buy cheap, but not worth the risk.
As we inhale and exhale, we produce CO2 (basic science, guys). If we’re exerting ourselves in an activity that’s a bit tiring, then our body produces more oxygen to keep the muscles going. More oxygen means faster, shallower breathing.
Suddenly, we’re exhaling lots and lots of carbon dioxide in the confined space of a full face snorkel mask. Since we’re breathing shallowly, there’s not enough force to expel the CO2 out of the mask. It’s basically like putting a plastic bag over your head. You end up unconscious. In the water, that’s a terribly dangerous idea.
It’s important to remember that snorkel masks are designed for recreational use. Floating on the surface of the water, looking at the pretty fishies. They’re not designed for tiring open water swimming, freediving, or other activities that’ll get your heart pumping.
When buying a full face snorkel mask, it’s essential you make sure they have separate inhaling/exhaling breathing chambers, extra valves, and a wider tube that prevents the buildup of CO2. This is a serious issue that can be caused by faulty/improperly manufactured mask, and it’s not worth taking lightly.
Yuck, yuck, yuck. Water leaking into your snorkel mask is a very annoying issue that can send you straight back to the shore. Leaking masks are an extremely common issue and usually due to a number of factors.
There are many reasons why a full face snorkel mask might be leaking. The basic issue is that the snorkel mask is not watertight and not properly sealing around your face to prevent the entry of water. Air pockets may exist in several spots, and it’s a good idea you take a look at where that might be.
It may be within the silicon lining, or it may simply be that you’ve purchased the wrong size mask for your face. Some cheaper brands use lower-quality silicon skirts that are quite stiff and inflexible, making it susceptible to cracking and not properly sealing around your face.
Firstly, you want to ensure you’ve bought the right size for your face. If you haven’t got the right size then you’re out of luck! (Protip: at Ninja Shark we have a one-size-fits-all snorkel mask). Secondly, examine the silicon skirt of your brand. Is it soft and flexible? Or more dry and hard? If it’s the latter, then your snorkel mask is a low quality manufacture and the leaking situation is unlikely to get any better (sorry!)
Finally, water could be leaking into your mask for a few other reasons:
1. You have a fringe or other hairs preventing a proper seal from forming,
2. You have a beard or moustache (you may have to get rid of that),
3. You’ve smiled after putting the snorkel mask on – smiling changes the shape of the muscles around your mouth, creating new creases for the silicon to try to mould to.
It happens to us all – you’re there, immersed in the beauty of coral life, and suddenly it fogs over. You spend 30 seconds thrashing around in the water taking off your mask and cleaning it, and it fogs up again 5 minutes later.
There are tonnes of DIY tips out there – check out our article on How to Defog Your Snorkel Mask! Everything from toothpaste to baby shampoo and spit has been tried & recommended, but honestly, the best way to do it by simply ordering a snorkel mask that’s got a good anti-fog features.
You can use all the fancy anti-fog coating in the world, or you can innovate! At Ninja Shark we designed our new snorkel mask to have a unique, inner tube design that lets you breathe through your nose and mouth without fogging up the mask. Other brands use two intakes, but ours has three intakes, and twice the ventilation. Yee-haa!
We mentioned it before with the silicon skirt, but knockoffs & cheap materials can make a full face snorkel mask awful in many respects. What if the tube was made from shoddy plastic? Cheaper materials = more problems.
Cheap materials could be behind all sorts of issues, from excess fogging, CO2 buildup, leaking water, uncomfortable fit, and easy breakage. It’s always a surprise when you’re using a cheap mask! Which issue will I be dealing with today? As with anything, cheap materials can make a product look nice (from afar), but it won’t function very well.
Have a look through the information and see if the manufacturer provides information on the materials used. If they’re good, they’ll want to tell you about it. If no information is given on materials, they’re likely to be cheap. If you’re buying a $10 mask from a Chinese seller on eBay, it’s definitely a knockoff. Go for a brand that offers a long warranty and backs their products with confidence.
… If they’re ever delivered, that is! There are so many reports online from people who have purchased full face snorkel masks online, paid for them, and watched the whole summer pass by without receiving their beloved snorkels. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment.
There’s no accountability. A lot of drop shipping companies are out there to make a quick buck with no consideration for the audience they’re selling to. They purchase a bunch of products for cheap and want to offload them for cheap. Of course, not all drop shipped products are like this, but a quick look over the internet brings up lots of disappointed users who either didn’t receive their masks, or received them very very late.
Hopefully you’re feeling relieved now that you’ve realised that snorkel masks don’t have to come along with a string of issues. It’s all about who manufactured the mask, what their intentions were (making bucks VS offering value), and how well they back their product.
:|zpendofcontent|:The answer is: too many! Traditional snorkel masks can be uncomfortable and scary for many people, so the beauty of snorkelling goes undiscovered and unexperienced. Whether it's breathing difficulties, choking on sea water, or foggy goggles, there's a lot that prevents people from enjoying the wonderful sport of snorkelling. And that thought makes us sad.
We think everyone should be able to enjoy the underwater world - safely, comfortably, and easily. That's why we created Ninja Shark and our revolutionary line of full face snorkel masks. They're designed to be super comfy, easy-to-use, and make snorkelling accessible for all. Because nobody should miss out on discovering what's under the sea.
While other water equipments companies offer just a way to look under the water, NINJASHARK wants to create an amazing experience for water enthusiasts. That's why we listen to your feedbacks and we develop products based on them.
“The mask include GOPRO mounts, so you can easily film and photograph underwater scenery! I highly recommend especially to people who have a fear of snorkeling! This mask is really easy to use and is safe!” said @lud.around. “I can’t wait for my next trip with my new mask!”
“Awesome set.
Loved the complete set. I even used the waterproof phone pouch to take photos and videos underwater. It made my Fiji experience so much better than using the free snorkel set that hurt your face after 2hours and leaving a sun/mask mark. The ninja leaves no marks and gives great vision under water in comparison. It did take some getting used to but it definitely paid off! Only frustration is that the tightening straps are quite basic; they should be much simpler to loosen and tighten both in and out of water.” – Jock
