Prevent a Scuba Diving Mask from Fogging

A fogged mask is more than just an annoyance; by reducing what you can see, it also increases stress levels, making accidents more likely. A fogged mask also marks you as a less-than-competent diver. Keeping a clear view takes some attention to detail, but it is an aspect of diving preparation where an ounce of prevention is worth several pounds of cure.

Why a Mask Fogs

The main reason your mask fogs on the inside is that the lens is dirty. Moisture from your breath can adhere to: debris or the residue of salts or minerals in water; chemicals left over from the manufacturing process (preservatives and mold-release compounds); residue from sunscreen, makeup and moisturizers; preservatives or lubricants from other dive gear. A clean lens allows moisture to sheet down instead of adhering. Also contributing to fogging is the high humidity inside the mask, tiny pits or imperfections in the lens, exhaling excessively through the nose into the mask and unstable silicone compounds in some older or cheaper masks.

How to Defog Your Mask

You need to prepare your mask to be defogged if: it is a new mask; the mask has not been used for some time; or it develops patches that seem resistant to defogging. To prepare your mask, scrub both the inside and outside of every lens or window with a mild abrasive such as Soft Scrub, toothpaste or the compounds supplied for this purpose by manufacturers and dive stores.

Apply defog solution before each dive. Spit is just not good enough for most divers or masks. The defog solution must be capable of thoroughly cleaning the lens as well as any pits or imperfections. It is far more effective to use a commercial mask defogger, baby shampoo or diluted dishwashing liquid. Rub all inside lenses completely and rinse thoroughly. For best results, defog while the mask is still dry.

Keep it wet. In some dive situations it is possible to leave your mask immersed in water between dives. This will make defogging easier or may allow you to go all day on one defog.

If all else fails. If for some reason your efforts to stay defogged fail during the dive, let a small amount of water into your mask and then from time to time lean forward to rinse the lens.

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