Full Face Mask

Lots of options here.
Depends on the diver and what he or she is interested in.

OTS has been one of the primary players with both and this last year they came out with digital comms – I think that Howard hall did some testing on these. One of the drawbacks is cost. You end up spending a lot on the mask and then even more on the comms system. If the oral cavity is large enough and you can let go of the regulator this area is usually large enough to us as a speaking diaphragm.
OTS- http://www.oceantechnologysystems.co...acemasks.shtml

Mike mentioned the Kirby Morgan system and that is great. Some people have complained that the Oceanic product is difficult to get there hands on. However, I have not tried. Mike great write up sir! I really like the mk48 or the pod.

There area a few cheaper options like the Ocean reef mask, Scubapro makes one, Poseidon, and a few others. I know the asking price for the Poseidon is $600.00. You have to be careful with the ocean reef mask because they use quick disconnects and it is easily popped off by just rubbing against it plus it is a product specific 2nd stage on the mask.

Divematics USA sells a series that has a separate oral compartment from the mask- but there are bulky. Web- http://www.divenet.com/divematics/widolf/ Cool website.

Most divers that I have a talked to consider them great for decompression and possible toxing or running in multiple lines. Personal choice I guess. The larger surface area of the mask can be easily scratched. If using for deco its good to attach an extra second stage in case of problems and bag an extra mask with the tank.

Hoses should not be a real issue; just something to play with.

ALS- thats good idea- is there a simple site or book?

Andrew

So, when diving with a ffm, do you use a gas block for your gas switches or do you switch to a normal mask and reg for your stops?

I dove an OTS AGA setup with buddy phone the past two years working for a charter operation in north Carolina... we used the comms to communicate with the captain once the anchor was tied in. I also use the same mask volunteering at the Wilmington aquarium to do the interactive shows. Great masks, very comfortable, and breathe great, but a huge downer besides the safety issues is that you use approx 30% more gas... I also feel my field of vision is greatly reduced. I only wore it when I had to and switched back to my regular rig whenever possible, especially since spearfishing in shark infested waters isn't very comforting when you can't see as well. I owned a SP full face, and while you do have the benefit of swapping regulators or even having multiple regs hooked to the mask at one time, the mask was not nearly as comfortable and was not constructed as well as the AGA. As I've talked to some long time cavers about this technology, they feel that the future will bring cave divers diving with this technology since communication is essential for safer diving and continued exploration, but we will have to devise safety protocols for using this type of equipment. For me.... I will stick to the old fashion mask and reg...

my 2 cents.
-Matt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chunky

So, when diving with a ffm, do you use a gas block for your gas switches or do you switch to a normal mask and reg for your stops?

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If thats the case I would be wearing this!
:-D Andrew


http://www.rebreatherworld.com/galle...005103-023.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by crazyduck

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chunky

So, when diving with a ffm, do you use a gas block for your gas switches or do you switch to a normal mask and reg for your stops?

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If thats the case I would be wearing this!
:-D Andrew


http://www.rebreatherworld.com/galle...005103-023.jpg

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Wearing what? The wreck? :-D

Mike

I know this is a old old thread. But it got me thinking. Last night I did a two hour dive in jb. Did not go very far in, just spent a lot of time in the front of the cave. Any way diving 32% for 2 hours put my up cns up there and then I had 30 minutes of deco. I did 10 on 5 off for deco. I know I could lean out my mix for longer dives. But what about a ffm for deco so if you do tox at least you won't drown...any thoughts?

If you follow the accepted protocols and algorithms is there that great a chance of toxing?

Every one is a bit different and I know I have done over an hour and a half at a 1.6ppo2 with heavy work with no problems. But with the long dives its hard to avoid. I guess I could bring a tank of air to do my breaks on rather then 32%.... but I also know in the military we put guys on o2 at 60 feet which is a 2.8ppo2 with the reasonings that they are in a ffm so we don't have to worry about them drowning.

Adam, I have a Scubapro ffm somewhere around the house. If you want it, I'll let it go for dealer cost.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by adam0321

Every one is a bit different and I know I have done over an hour and a half at a 1.6ppo2 with heavy work with no problems. But with the long dives its hard to avoid. I guess I could bring a tank of air to do my breaks on rather then 32%.... but I also know in the military we put guys on o2 at 60 feet which is a 2.8ppo2 with the reasonings that they are in a ffm so we don't have to worry about them drowning.

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You are not a likely candidate to tox at 18' on O2 but as you say there is more to the puzzle than depth, time and workload. If it is worth the extra hassle to you for peace of mind then the answer is why not. Personally I think the FFM for moderate deco obligations brings more issues than it solves but thats me. I would be more inclined to wait 5 or 10 minutes at the stop depth adding that to my bottom time and then starting the deco. 10 on 5 off is very conservative I use 25/5. Knowledge can be a double edged sword as you know better than most that there are subtle variables that even the experts cannot agree on. The bottom line is you must do what it takes to make you feel comfortable with the odds as YOU read them.


RAL