Snorkeling is a popular water activity that people of all ages can enjoy. However, if you don’t take the time to properly defog your snorkel mask, you’re likely to have a less-than-enjoyable experience. In this article, we’ll explore why it’s so important to defog your mask and provide some tips on how to do it effectively.
When you’re snorkeling, your mask is your window to the underwater world. If it’s foggy, you won’t be able to see much of anything. This can ruin the experience and make it dangerous, as you won’t be able to see any potential hazards in your vicinity.
Why does a snorkel mask fog up?
Your snorkel mask can fog up for a number of reasons. The most common cause is the difference in temperature between the air inside the mask which is warmed by your and the water outside which is cold.
When you breathe, your body heats up the air inside the mask, which then condenses on the colder glass surface of the mask. Another potential cause of fogging is if there’s any moisture inside the mask when you start your snorkeling session.
This could be from things like sweat, saliva, or even seawater that has leaked in through a poorly fitting mask.
Defogging Won’t Last Forever
Many snorkel masks may come with defogging already applied to the lens. However, this usually won’t last for more than a few trips before it may need to be reapplied. You can buy special defogging solutions from most dive shops, or online for quick delivery from Amazon.
You can expect to need to re-apply defogger every few dives, or after a period of time if you’re using your mask regularly as you will be touching the lens and mask consistently causing it to wear away.
Preventing Your Snorkel Mask From Fogging
There are a number of things you can do to prevent your snorkel mask from fogging up in the first place. The good news is that there are a number of ways to defog your snorkel mask and keep it clear throughout your dive.
Avoid Allowing Moisture In Before Use
The best way to prevent your snorkel mask from fogging up is to avoid letting any moisture get inside the mask in the first place.
Make sure you rinse off your face and your mask before getting in the water. This will help remove any oils, sweat, or makeup that could potentially cause fogging.
If this is missed, and there is already moisture inside the mask, you can try to blow it out through the snorkel. Or, if the mask has a drain hole at the bottom, tilt your head to one side and allow any water to drain out.
Toothpaste
Using toothpaste is an older method for defogging snorkel masks, but it’s one that still works today.
To use toothpaste, simply apply a small amount to the inside of the mask lens and rub it around with your finger. Make sure you cover the entire lens surface.
Once you’ve done this, rinse the mask off with fresh water and allow it to dry. The toothpaste will help to prevent the water from condensing on the lens and fogging up your view.
Saliva
One of the most effective methods is to simply spit into the mask before putting it on, though many may feel this is questionable it is quite normal and easy to do.
Yes, it sounds gross, but it’s actually quite effective. The saliva creates a barrier between the water and your face, which helps to prevent fogging of the mask.
Once you’ve put a good amount of saliva on the lens, simply rinse it off with fresh water and allow it to dry.
Defogging Sprays And Gels
There are a number of commercial defogging solutions available on the market that can help to keep your snorkel mask clear.
These usually come in the form of a gel or spray that you can apply to the inside of the mask before diving.
There are a number of brands available, so it’s worth trying a few to see which one works best for you.
Baby Shampoo
This is another common method for defogging snorkel masks. Baby shampoo is gentle and non-abrasive, which makes it ideal for use on the sensitive lens of a snorkel mask.
To use baby shampoo, simply add a few drops to the inside of the mask and rub it around with your finger. Make sure you cover the entire lens surface.
Once you’ve done this, rinse the mask off with fresh water and allow it to dry. The baby shampoo will help to prevent the water from condensing on the lens and fogging up your view.
Soap & Dishwashing Detergents
Another older method for defogging snorkel masks is to use soap or dishwashing detergent. This method is not as popular as it once was, as many feel that it can damage the lens of the mask.
To use soap or dishwashing detergent, simply add a small amount to the inside of the mask and rub it around with your finger. Make sure you cover the entire lens surface.
Once you’ve done this, rinse the mask off with fresh water and allow it to dry. The soap or detergent will help to prevent the water from condensing on the lens and fogging up your view.
Simple and Easy Defogging Product
Overall the below is a simple and effective product that can be purchased online and with Amazon Prime shipped out within a day:
[affiliatable id=’99475′]
Final Thoughts on the Importance of Defogging Snorkel Masks
Fogging of the snorkel mask is a common problem that can occur when you’re snorkeling. However, there are a number of things you can do to prevent it from happening.
The best way to prevent your mask from fogging up is to avoid letting any moisture get inside the mask in the first place. You can also try using one of the methods above to help keep your mask clear.
We hope this article has helped you understand why defogging your snorkel mask is so important. By taking a few simple steps, you can prevent your mask from fogging up and ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable snorkeling experience.