Anyone ever needed their spare mask underwater?

[bent]

I usually don't use a spare mask since I don't see how you could break it underwater. I am fine diving without the strap, if that should rip off somehow. So, the only concern is the glass. Has anyone experienced this or heard of a story?
I know that people argue that you might turn your head and jam your face into a rock, but that sound a little far fetched to me.

[oya]

I deployed my backup mask once.

It was during training. Instructor told me I'd be taking my mask off and make it out to open water without it. I asked, "Why wouldn't I just deploy a backup mask?" He countered with, "You carry a backup mask? Eh, just don't for this drill." I was surprised he didn't dig the idea of a backup mask. "My usual tactic is to just not be stupid enough to lose my mask," he explained.

I removed my mask and handed it over to my instructor (so I thought) and started to swim along out of the cave. I was surprised at how easy it was to see... blurry, but easy enough. I OKed the line but for the most part I could see the line pretty clearly so it was an easy exit.

In open water I asked my instructor to give me back my mask. After some blurry, unrecognizable hand signals I finally put on my backup and managed to communicate, "Where's my other mask?" Instructor communicated back, "What mask?"

He hadn't taken it. I had handed it towards him... then just dropped it in the cave.

Had to go back to pick up my reel anyway. I found that a small catfish had claimed my mask by the tie-in. He didn't like it when I took it away.

I never carried a backup mask in a cave again.

[Pavão]

Hasn't happened to me, if I'm not mistaken, it might have happened to one of my students one time, and I have heard of stories too, one of them, the lady simply tried to clear water out, when she blew through her nose, the lenses fell off. In both cases, it was very likely the mask was damaged before the dive, on the gear bag perhaps, but only discovered at depth.

I carry a Scubapro Hydros freediving mask, pretty small, folds flat and most importantly, it is not taking space of anything else I should be bringing on the dive.

[lord1234]

I deployed my backup mask this weekend. During a swim in 30ft of water, my velcro strap on my primary mask came undone! First it started leaking and then it just fell off my face. For a second I was like "WTF". Then I realized, and just pulled the other mask out. I managed to grab the primary and fix it after getting out of the water.

[rddvet]

Never had to use mine, bu always carry it. Due to some sinus issues I've always fohnd breathint without a mask doable but annoying.

Several years ago some of the atomic masks were known to have bad glue and would leak badly, so I'm sure there's always a chance of needing a bsckup


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[cavekrazi]

I've had pretty good luck sewing the cloth slap strap in place so no Velcro or breakage to fool with. I wear prescription so don't want to have problems with it. Take a spare if solo only.t

[syntaxerrorsix]

I do bring one when scootering. I've also had a buddy lose a mask and had to escort him out.

[kensuf]

I had a friend lose a lens at the hinkel. I've pretty much tried to keep a backup mask in the team ever since.

[tj]

I grow a beard now and then. . . and lately, on an Eagle's Nest dive, my mask just wouldn't quit filling up with water, so after getting aggravated with it, I swapped. . . didn't help much. . . Years ago I was on deco and my face/lens hit a rock in front of me . . . (I think I fell asleep for a moment . . . ) . It cracked the lens (only time I ever broke a mask), but the little leak wasn't worth the effort as deco was nearly over . . .

[scubainchicago]

I've come really close a couple of times. First was on a shipwreck penetration. My primary went out and I turned my backup on, then turned to signal my buddy. When I turned, I turned right into a steel pipe that hit my mask. It was one of those hits you can't believe didn't break the glass.

The other time was in Ginnie, we just entered through the eye and were getting off the floor to follow the ceiling. My buddy was a little to close and got his mask kicked off, breaking the strap, and reg knocked out with one fell swoop. It must have hit just right because I didn't feel any resistance on my fin. It didn't really phase him either, he didn't signal, I just caught a glimpse of him adjusting he backup while ascending to the ceiling. I didn't know what happened till after the dive when he told me.