Snorkeling & eyeglasses
Tom Ihlenfeldt
I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and St.
Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I have
had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I am
concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if water
comes into contact with my eyes.
Has anyone out there enjoyed snorkeling with either glasses or contacts
and not run into problems with the water hitting the lenses? I
suppose I should know whether diving masks keep water away from the
eyes, but I'm a rookie.
Thanks for your help!
Tom Ihlenfeldt
St. Paul, Minnesota
tihl...@isd.net
AAstor
snorkeling (I don't dive). First, I absolutely do not recommend wearing
your glasses -- they prevent the mask from being airtight. Second, I
have snorkeled with my lenses in and haven't had any problems, except
that my constant worrying about whether I WILL have a problem with
either water coming in or the lens itself does take a lot of the
enjoyment away. My recommendation is to get a mask with a prescription
built in. Once upon a time, these were very expensive and custom-made;
today, they are mass produced at many different strengths. I've been at
many resorts which have a boxful, and I've never failed to find one
that's more than good enough for snorkeling purposes (and my eyesight is
-500/-600, and I have an astigmatism). Before my next vacation to a
snorkeling locale, I plan on buying my own so that I can be independent
of resort activities. Most scuba shops carry them. Hope this helps!
Craig L. Senft
I've snorkeled with my contacts and not had a problem (I have my own mask so
I am sure it fits (as opposed to borrowing one from the snorkel operators))
One thing which I have seen done and will try next year is to take an old
pair of glasses, remove the temples (the earpieces) and carefully wedge them
into the diving mask. It's a lot cheaper than buying a prescription mask
and if you don't like snorkeling you are not out a lot of money.
AAstor wrote in message <34A854...@westnet.com>...
n...@spam.thanks
Tom Ihlenfeldt wrote:
>
> I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and St.
> Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I have
> had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I am
> concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if water
> comes into contact with my eyes.
>
> Has anyone out there enjoyed snorkeling with either glasses or contacts
> and not run into problems with the water hitting the lenses? I
> suppose I should know whether diving masks keep water away from the
> eyes, but I'm a rookie.
>
> Thanks for your help!
In theory, a good-fitting dive mask should be pretty effective at
keeping water outside the mask, but you'll always get at least a little
water inside your mask. When you learn scuba diving, you are required
to learn how to deal with your mask filling up with water (it's quite
simple; you basically exhale through your nose to fill the mask with
air, displacing the water).
Anyway, I wouldn't count on keeping all of the earth's seawater out of
your mask; some will inevitably get in, if only a bit. This may not
necessarily be enough to get water in your eyes themselves, but I
wouldn't bet on it.
As I am one of those folks who does not need corrective lenses
(yet...after a few more years in the computer biz I bet I will though),
I can't speak from personal experience, but I have had girlfriends who
wore thick glasses, so I looked into the options:
1. Wear your contacts and don't worry about it. You stand a small
chance of losing a lens, but compared to the cost of other options
(below) that's cheap. I have heard from scuba divers that there is some
danger of certain types of soft contacts essentially "dissolving" in
your eye if they come into contact with seawater, but I have no idea if
there is any truth to this, and I'm somewhat skeptical about it. As a
snorkeler, you could certainly wash out your eyes (admittedly, with
seawater) and get out of the water to seek medical help quickly,
something that's not always an option to scuba divers.
2. Go out and buy a mask with corrected lenses, or add corrected lenses
to your existing mask. Price varies widely depending on your vision
needs and your mask. Most divers I've spoken with swear by their
prescription masks, BTW.
Bob Dickson
If you plan to make repeated trips to the islands, or if you just want
to enjoy your snorkling, go quickly to a local dive shop, buy yourself
a mask, with their assistance in getting a proper fit, and have them
send it off to have corrective lenses mounted in it. Some dive shops
also sell lenses that they can put into some masks; these cover near-
or far-sightedness, within a range of corrections, but I can't vouch
for this type of lens, as I have the type that are bonded to the
lenses.This adds about 90$ to $100 to the cost of the mask, but it
makes a world of differnece in your enjoyment of the underwater scene.
Being able to see really helps. And having your own mask that fits
will make your snorkling more enjoyable as well. As long as you are
at it, you probably should buy your own snorkle as well.
Enjoy your trip.
On Mon, 29 Dec 1997 19:20:54 -0800, Tom Ihlenfeldt <tihl...@isd.net>
wrote:
>I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and St.
>Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I have
>had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I am
>concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if water
>comes into contact with my eyes.
>
>Has anyone out there enjoyed snorkeling with either glasses or contacts
>and not run into problems with the water hitting the lenses? I
>suppose I should know whether diving masks keep water away from the
>eyes, but I'm a rookie.
>
>Thanks for your help!
>
>Tom Ihlenfeldt
>St. Paul, Minnesota
>tihl...@isd.net
>
"The secret of being a successful programmer is to never act suprised when something works."
Bob Dickson bobb...@sgi.removethis.net
D Rapp
Tom Ihlenfeldt wrote:
>
> I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and St.
> Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I have
> had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I am
> concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if water
> comes into contact with my eyes.
>
> Has anyone out there enjoyed snorkeling with either glasses or contacts
> and not run into problems with the water hitting the lenses? I
> suppose I should know whether diving masks keep water away from the
> eyes, but I'm a rookie.
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
> Tom Ihlenfeldt
> St. Paul, Minnesota
> tihl...@isd.net
I dive and snorkel both with my contact lenses with no problem. If you
have a decent-fitting mask, you will only get minimal water in that you
can clear. If you decide to get a prescription mask, check out the Sea
Vision line of masks. The lenses are actually ground to your
prescription; rather than pasting a prescription onto the lenses that
can
separate. My wife has this and loves it. Without her glasses, she
can't
see three feet in front of her. If you don't like the mask they use,
they will put the lenses into any mask you provide that has the split
lense (meaning not a single lense covering the front of the mask). The
price is in line with most others offered.
Dan Rapp
Marcy Koltun-Crilley
D Rapp wrote:
> Tom Ihlenfeldt wrote:
> >
> > I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and
> St.
> > Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I
> have
> > had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I
> am
> > concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if
> water
> > comes into contact with my eyes.
> >
> > Has anyone out there enjoyed snorkeling with either glasses or
> contacts
> > and not run into problems with the water hitting the lenses? I
> > suppose I should know whether diving masks keep water away from
> the
> > eyes, but I'm a rookie.
> >
> > Thanks for your help!
> >
> > Tom Ihlenfeldt
> > St. Paul, Minnesota
> > tihl...@isd.net
>
>
I have been wearing hard contacts for 20 years ( and the gas
permable kind for 10 of those years) I do not even own a pair of
regular glasses so I never liked the idea of taking off my mask and
being blind. Contacts work fine and I have been scuba diving and
snorkeling with them for years. I actually do own a
pair of glasses but they are pretty old and one "arm" is missing. I am
sure I am not the only one , either Marcy
Ken Cox
n...@spam.thanks wrote:
>
> Tom Ihlenfeldt wrote:
> >
> > I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and St.
> > Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I have
> > had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I am
> > concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if water
> > comes into contact with my eyes.
> >
> > Has anyone out there enjoyed snorkeling with either glasses or contacts
> > and not run into problems with the water hitting the lenses? I
> > suppose I should know whether diving masks keep water away from the
> > eyes, but I'm a rookie.
> >
> > Thanks for your help!
>
I swear by my prescription mask and it is great not to have to worry
about your contact lenses. I bought my mask for about $100 from a
discount sporting store and have been quite happy with it. I had to get
the most correction that was available. I have astigmatism which the
lenses in my mask don't correct for but it doesn't seem to be a problem.
Valerie
Michael Pelletier
In article <34A8F7...@erols.com>, Ken Cox <ken...@erols.com> wrote:
>
>I swear by my prescription mask and it is great not to have to worry
>about your contact lenses. I bought my mask for about $100 from a
>discount sporting store and have been quite happy with it. I had to get
>the most correction that was available. I have astigmatism which the
>lenses in my mask don't correct for but it doesn't seem to be a problem.
My vision is -9.25 in one eye, with a -1.75/025 astigmatism, and -10.25
in the other with a -1.75/060 astigmatism. Thus the stock lenses that
you can snap in to certain masks won't quite cut it for me, since
everywhere I've seen them they only go to -8 diopters.
Since I'm going to be purchasing a mask in preparation for getting my
C-card, my optometrist told me about a bracket that they can mount
inside any low-volume mask, on which they can then mount the lenses.
I'm glad to hear that people like their Rx masks. I'm looking forward
to getting one -- when I was snorkeling in Georgetown, Grand Cayman,
I was hoping all the while that the photos would turn out well so
that i could finally see what the heck I was looking at.
-Mike Pelletier.
Robert Gullen
Snorkeling with poor eyesight is no big deal - simply wear contact lenses !
The chances of the mask leaking are small - and if they do just shut your
eyes quickly and get back to the surface.
For a real challenge try water-skiing with glasses ....
I've been snorkeling and skiing with contacts for years and have yet to
lose a lens.
(Look out for me in Barbados at the end of February)
Rob in the UK
Tom Ihlenfeldt <tihl...@isd.net> wrote in article
<34A868...@isd.net>...
> I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and St.
> Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I have
> had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I am
> concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if water
> comes into contact with my eyes.
>
> Has anyone out there enjoyed snorkeling with either glasses or contacts
> and not run into problems with the water hitting the lenses? I
> suppose I should know whether diving masks keep water away from the
> eyes, but I'm a rookie.
>
> Thanks for your help!
>
Judith Nicholls
In article <34A868...@isd.net>, Tom Ihlenfeldt <tihl...@isd.net> wrote:
>I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and St.
>Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I have
>had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I am
>concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if water
>comes into contact with my eyes.
Prescription mask. Go for it!
Happy snorkeling!
Judy Nicholls
Four Winds Travel Services, Inc. 630-851-4336, FAX: 630-851-5402
2206 Ogden Avenue, Aurora, IL 60504 tra...@4windstravel.com
http://www.4windstravel.com
Carl Heinzl
Barney,
>I recently had a new prescription ground and can actually see better
>with my mask than with my regular specs. Because my vision is so bad,
That's probably due to the inherent magnification of the mask
underwater. I can see better underwater with a plain mask than above
water with no glasses. I do agree that a prescription mask is the way
to go.
These days if you have a prescription without astigmatism you can get
standard lenses in 1/2 diopter increments for many split masks (masks
with glass pieces for each eye). The range of available lenses varies
with each manufacturer but is typically on the order of +- 8.0 or so.
>contact lenses are an economically unsound approach to corrected vision
>for me. The shop I went through to get my prescription mounted in my
>mask, this time, sent it off to Florida to get the work done. I found
>having the lenses specially ground a much better option than having a
>lens pasted in.
I'm not sure I understand... You mean they actually ground the lens
plate rather than grinding special lenses then gluing them in place?
Did they use an extra thick lens plate to accomodate the grinding? If
so, I'm curious as to where you had this done (I think posting this
would be good to do) as I'm interested for my next mask.
>As I recall it set me back about $160.00 and took three weeks
Yep, that sounds about right.
>from the date of sending to the date the shop called me and told
>me it was in. I've never made a better investment. This
>particular shop pressure tests the mask before returning it to
>you. If you have a prescription ground for you, ask to see
>whether or not this service is available. Having a leak around
>your lenses can be a royal PITA.
Since the original question was about snorkelling I'd like to ad the
following. If you are really only concerned with being at the TOP of
the water (i.e. not going under) then there are prescription swimming
goggles that can be had as well. I just got a pair of Aqua Specs with
my custom lenses in them. I love using them while swimming laps at the
pool, reading the white board has never been easier and the clock is now
a cinch to see (it wasn't TOO bad before but it's crystal clear now).
Of course swimming laps with a mask on just wouldn't cut it :^)
They were a Christmas present so I'm not sure of cost, I'd bet they're
in the $100-150 range.
-Carl-
Michael Pelletier
In article <34A93868...@your.throat.com>, Barney <"O•7"> wrote:
>
>I recently had a new prescription ground and can actually see
>better with my mask than with my regular specs. Because my
>approach to corrected vision for me. The shop I went through to
>get my prescription mounted in my mask, this time, sent it off to
>Florida to get the work done. I found having the lenses
>specially ground a much better option than having a lens pasted
>in.
I tried to send you e-mail, but your address is a little out of whack.
Could you send the information about where you got this mask?
Also, why do you find that specially ground faceplate lenses are
better than an add-on lens?
Thanks!
-Mike Pelletier.
D Rapp
Carl Heinzl wrote:
>
> Barney,
>
> >I recently had a new prescription ground and can actually see better
> >with my mask than with my regular specs. Because my vision is so bad,
>
> underwater. I can see better underwater with a plain mask than above
> water with no glasses. I do agree that a prescription mask is the way
> to go.
>
> These days if you have a prescription without astigmatism you can get
> standard lenses in 1/2 diopter increments for many split masks (masks
> with glass pieces for each eye). The range of available lenses varies
> with each manufacturer but is typically on the order of +- 8.0 or so.
>
> >for me. The shop I went through to get my prescription mounted in my
> >mask, this time, sent it off to Florida to get the work done. I found
> >having the lenses specially ground a much better option than having a
> >lens pasted in.
>
> plate rather than grinding special lenses then gluing them in place?
> Did they use an extra thick lens plate to accomodate the grinding? If
> so, I'm curious as to where you had this done (I think posting this
> would be good to do) as I'm interested for my next mask.
>
> >As I recall it set me back about $160.00 and took three weeks
>
> Yep, that sounds about right.
>
> >from the date of sending to the date the shop called me and told
> >me it was in. I've never made a better investment. This
> >particular shop pressure tests the mask before returning it to
> >you. If you have a prescription ground for you, ask to see
> >whether or not this service is available. Having a leak around
> >your lenses can be a royal PITA.
>
> Since the original question was about snorkelling I'd like to ad the
> following. If you are really only concerned with being at the TOP of
> the water (i.e. not going under) then there are prescription swimming
> goggles that can be had as well. I just got a pair of Aqua Specs with
> my custom lenses in them. I love using them while swimming laps at the
> pool, reading the white board has never been easier and the clock is now
> a cinch to see (it wasn't TOO bad before but it's crystal clear now).
> Of course swimming laps with a mask on just wouldn't cut it :^)
>
> They were a Christmas present so I'm not sure of cost, I'd bet they're
> in the $100-150 range.
>
> -Carl-
The place that mask was probably sent was Sea Vision in St. Petersburg
Florida. They grind the lense itself to the prescription. They also
have color-correcting lenses, bifocals, etc. They can either put the
lenses in a mask they provide or fit them into a split mask that is
provided by the customer. My wife has one and loves it.
Dan
Michael Pelletier
In article <68dq4p$30j$1...@gte1.gte.net>, D Rapp <dr...@gte.net> wrote:
>
>The place that mask was probably sent was Sea Vision in St. Petersburg
>Florida. They grind the lense itself to the prescription. They also
>have color-correcting lenses, bifocals, etc. They can either put the
>lenses in a mask they provide or fit them into a split mask that is
>provided by the customer. My wife has one and loves it.
And their phone number and web page is: ... ;-)
-Mike Pelletier.
Sean Ennis
In article <68ecf9$n...@valhalla.comshare.com>, mikep@-nospam-izzy.net (Michael Pelletier) wrote:
Did a quick search through AltaVista
Sea Vision
St. Petersburg, FL
US 1-800-732-6275 (international 813-525-6906)
Sea Vision: e-mail:in...@seavisionusa.com,
website: http://www.seavisionusa.com
Sean
-+-
Sean Ennis <sen...@escape.ca>
My email address has been munged to prevent spam. Take off the first
'S' and it should reach me.
D Rapp
Michael Pelletier wrote:
>
> In article <68dq4p$30j$1...@gte1.gte.net>, D Rapp <dr...@gte.net> wrote:
> >
> >The place that mask was probably sent was Sea Vision in St. Petersburg
> >Florida. They grind the lense itself to the prescription. They also
> >have color-correcting lenses, bifocals, etc. They can either put the
> >lenses in a mask they provide or fit them into a split mask that is
> >provided by the customer. My wife has one and loves it.
>
> And their phone number and web page is: ... ;-)
>
I'm not sure if they have a web page. You might just check the search
routines. The location info is:
Sea Vision USA
4399 35th St N
St Petersburg, FL 33714-3717
Phone: (813)525-6906 Fax: (813)525-2367
Dan
Michael Pelletier
In article <68flnh$8b6$1...@gte1.gte.net>, D Rapp <dr...@gte.net> wrote:
>
>I'm not sure if they have a web page. You might just check the search
>routines. The location info is:
>
>Sea Vision USA
>4399 35th St N
>St Petersburg, FL 33714-3717
>Phone: (813)525-6906 Fax: (813)525-2367
What's really amusing is that last night while picking my wife up from
the airport, I picked up a double-issue package of Skin Diver and
Southern Diver magazines, and lo and behold, there's a full page
ad for Sea Vision USA on page 27 of Southern Diver! :-) Their web
page is <http://www.seavisionusa.com>
Very good prices, too, they're most likely the way I'm going to go.
Does anyone out there have those color-correcting filters? Do they
work as well as the advertisement seems to think they do? The thing
I'm wondering is if they filter out the blue end of the spectrum like
those AmberVision shades, what other light is left at thirty meters
underwater to see by?
-Mike Pelletier.
D Rapp
Go to dejanews and search on the subject. I was involved in a
discussion
of this in, I believe, rec.scuba.equipment back in Sept./Oct. when
looking for prescription masks info. I got a lot of opinions. My
impression from actual users was predominantly that there was no problem
with loss of light at depth and colors were true. Non-users assured me
they would be a problem because they had heard that these types of
lenses
would logically be darker. My wife and daughter have them and used them
in the Caymans this past October. They were very happy with them down
there. Of course, this was in very clear water in the daytime at 100'
max. They haven't tried them in low light or night conditions; so we
really couldn't say ourselves.
One other consideration is the mask body itself. If you have a good
mask
that you prefer using (split lense), you might want to consider going
this route. I'm not a real fan of their mask they put the lenses into.
That's what has held me back so far.
Dan
me
>
>Does anyone out there have those color-correcting filters? Do they
>work as well as the advertisement seems to think they do? The thing
>I'm wondering is if they filter out the blue end of the spectrum like
>those AmberVision shades, what other light is left at thirty meters
>underwater to see by?
>
> -Mike Pelletier.
Mike
I use a mask with colour correcting lenses and simply love it. I got
the mask from Divers supply in Atlanta Ga.
Personally I'd have a hard time going back to the clear lenses.
David Lang
> Mike
> I use a mask with colour correcting lenses and simply love it. I got
> the mask from Divers supply in Atlanta Ga.
> Personally I'd have a hard time going back to the clear lenses.
Could anyone elaborate on the color lenses. This is the first time I
have heard about them. I recently had lenses put in my dive mask. So I
am very interested in this. Do they enhance visablity? Can they make
you see better? I dive on the East Coast of Va. Visability is not very
good 10' to maybe 40'. Thanks in advance. Happy dives. D.Lang
Michael Pelletier
In article <68gskr$lci$1...@gte1.gte.net>, D Rapp <dr...@gte.net> wrote:
>
>One other consideration is the mask body itself. If you have a good mask
>that you prefer using (split lense), you might want to consider going
>this route. I'm not a real fan of their mask they put the lenses into.
>That's what has held me back so far.
I'm a rank novice who took a resort course from Parrot's Landing in
Grand Cayman through the Holland America cruise we were on, and whose
first certification class session in 10 days, so I don't have a good
mask that I prefer using. :-)
What don't you like about the mask body?
-Mike Pelletier.
Lee WIllcox
Both my wife and I have sea vision. TRUE they are a little darker. BUT the colors
are wonderful. Once in a while I put on clear lenses just to remind me how great they
really are. Well both love our lenses..
Michael Pelletier wrote:
> In article <68flnh$8b6$1...@gte1.gte.net>, D Rapp <dr...@gte.net> wrote:
> >
> >I'm not sure if they have a web page. You might just check the search
> >routines. The location info is:
> >
> >Sea Vision USA
> >4399 35th St N
> >St Petersburg, FL 33714-3717
> >Phone: (813)525-6906 Fax: (813)525-2367
>
> What's really amusing is that last night while picking my wife up from
> the airport, I picked up a double-issue package of Skin Diver and
> Southern Diver magazines, and lo and behold, there's a full page
> ad for Sea Vision USA on page 27 of Southern Diver! :-) Their web
> page is <http://www.seavisionusa.com>
>
> Very good prices, too, they're most likely the way I'm going to go.
>
> Does anyone out there have those color-correcting filters? Do they
> work as well as the advertisement seems to think they do? The thing
> I'm wondering is if they filter out the blue end of the spectrum like
> those AmberVision shades, what other light is left at thirty meters
> underwater to see by?
>
> -Mike Pelletier.
--
Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at
different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.
Lee Willcox
top...@airmail.net
top...@nortel.com
reefnet
I've worn my contacts snorkeling and diving for the past 7 years.
Disposable soft lenses; and never lost one. Many of my customers have also.
If you're concerned about losing them, take an extra pair with you.
--
Donna
http://members.tripod.com/~glassbottomboat/glassbottomboat.htm
Tom Ihlenfeldt wrote in message <34A868...@isd.net>...
>I am traveling to Barbados, Martinique, St. Maartan, St. Lucia and St.
>Thomas next month and would like to do some snorkeling. Since I have
>had corrective lenses, however, I have never been snorkeling -- I am
>concerned that I will lose my glasses or soft contact lenses if water
>comes into contact with my eyes.
>
D Rapp
Michael Pelletier wrote:
>
> I'm a rank novice who took a resort course from Parrot's Landing in
> Grand Cayman through the Holland America cruise we were on, and whose
> first certification class session in 10 days, so I don't have a good
> mask that I prefer using. :-)
>
> What don't you like about the mask body?
The mask is an extremely low volume; so compresses over the bridge of my
nose/forehead too tightly. There is not enough distance left between
the
forehead and the hard plastic of the mask. It also is a soft, flexible
material. I have "smile lines" and those types do not seal well over
them. I've found that some masks; such as Mares, have a different shape
that tends to go lower in the cheek area to seal around the smile lines.
I also have a moustache; but that is solved with a little trim over the
nose and some silicon.
Take your time and try/rent different masks before investing in one to
put your lenses into. A mask that is ill-fitting can at the least be
uncomfortable with irritating leaks, and at worst, will be painful if
you can't wear the low volume and they press on your forehead at depth.
Dan
jan
Did you know that you could have your precription put into your mask? If you
have bifocals they have things for that too. Just go to your local
optomitrist and they will more than likley do it. It's just like glasses to
them. If they can't help you try your dive shop, I know they'll point you in
the right direction! Number one rule, HAVE FUN!!!
Good Snorkeling! Aaron:-)
reefnet wrote in message <68kr80$o...@snews3.zippo.com>...
Flax Trickster
"jan" <bei...@email.msn.com> amused us with:
>Did you know that you could have your precription put into your mask? If you
>have bifocals they have things for that too. Just go to your local
>optomitrist and they will more than likley do it. It's just like glasses to
>them. If they can't help you try your dive shop, I know they'll point you in
>the right direction! Number one rule, HAVE FUN!!!
> Good Snorkeling! Aaron:-)
Yes, yes... but VERY expensive if you have any other prescription
other than the standard diopter!
My current mask cost me almost $400 because of custom lenses! I wish
I could go snorkeling more often to get my $400 worth. :-) (or learn
how to dive, but alas... I developed asthma a few years ago)
Lates!
Denny
******************************
http://www.mnsinc.com/flax -rw-rw-rw- File Permissions of the Beast
fl...@mnsinc.com
D Rapp
Flax Trickster wrote:
>
> "jan" <bei...@email.msn.com> amused us with:
>
> >Did you know that you could have your precription put into your mask? If you
> >have bifocals they have things for that too. Just go to your local
> >optomitrist and they will more than likley do it. It's just like glasses to
> >them. If they can't help you try your dive shop, I know they'll point you in
> >the right direction! Number one rule, HAVE FUN!!!
> > Good Snorkeling! Aaron:-)
>
> Yes, yes... but VERY expensive if you have any other prescription
> other than the standard diopter!
>
> My current mask cost me almost $400 because of custom lenses! I wish
> I could go snorkeling more often to get my $400 worth. :-) (or learn
> how to dive, but alas... I developed asthma a few years ago)
>
> Lates!
> Denny
It shouldn't cost you this much. In fact, this thread started as a
discussion of contacts vs. mask lenses and will show you (and Jan) a
number of other options. The one presently being discussed in this
thread now is the Sea Vision line. Go back and read the past posts and
you may find some better options.
Dan
jan
I knew it was costly but not that much! I have asthma too, but love to go
diving. Just a puff or two on the ol' inhaler prevents it. If I start to
weeze underwater, I stop, and it goes away after awhile. Try diving anyway,
it's more fun than snorkling, till your air runs out :-).
Good Snorkeling!
Aaron:-)
Flax Trickster wrote in message <34af9400...@news1.monumental.com>...
>"jan" <bei...@email.msn.com> amused us with:
>
>>Did you know that you could have your precription put into your mask? If
you
>>have bifocals they have things for that too. Just go to your local
>>optomitrist and they will more than likley do it. It's just like glasses
to
>>them. If they can't help you try your dive shop, I know they'll point you
in
>>the right direction! Number one rule, HAVE FUN!!!
>> Good Snorkeling! Aaron:-)
>
>Yes, yes... but VERY expensive if you have any other prescription
>other than the standard diopter!
>
>My current mask cost me almost $400 because of custom lenses! I wish
>I could go snorkeling more often to get my $400 worth. :-) (or learn
>how to dive, but alas... I developed asthma a few years ago)
>
>Lates!
> Denny
>
>
>
>
>
Tom Hanlon
D Rapp wrote:
>
> Flax Trickster wrote:
> >
> > "jan" <bei...@email.msn.com> amused us with:
> >
> > >Did you know that you could have your precription put into your mask? If you
> > >have bifocals they have things for that too. Just go to your local
> > >optomitrist and they will more than likley do it. It's just like glasses to
> > >them. If they can't help you try your dive shop, I know they'll point you in
> > >the right direction! Number one rule, HAVE FUN!!!
> > > Good Snorkeling! Aaron:-)
> >
> > Yes, yes... but VERY expensive if you have any other prescription
> > other than the standard diopter!
> >
> > My current mask cost me almost $400 because of custom lenses! I wish
> > I could go snorkeling more often to get my $400 worth. :-) (or learn
> > how to dive, but alas... I developed asthma a few years ago)
> >
> > Lates!
> > Denny
>
> discussion of contacts vs. mask lenses and will show you (and Jan) a
> number of other options. The one presently being discussed in this
> thread now is the Sea Vision line. Go back and read the past posts and
> you may find some better options.
>
> Dan
With respect to corrective lenses.
If you don't have an astigmatism (sp?), replacement lens are
made that fit right into standard dive masks. You get them thru
optomitrists, but they're not too costly.
If you have an astigmatism, the lenses must be specially made
and glued into your mask. These lenses are flat, so they can
be glued, so you can't use the lenses from an old pair glasses.
I have these, and they work well. I don't remember what I paid
for them, but they were about the same as a pair of glasses.
At the time I looked into getting bifocal lenses like my regular
glasses, but the price was considerably more.
I settle for holding my gauges at arm's length. I'm
satisfied w/ the results.
My wife dives w/ contacts and has no problem.
bra...@commsys.com
Flax Trickster wrote:
>
> My current mask cost me almost $400 because of custom lenses! I wish
> I could go snorkeling more often to get my $400 worth. :-) (or learn
> how to dive, but alas... I developed asthma a few years ago)
>
> Lates!
> Denny
>
> http://www.mnsinc.com/flax -rw-rw-rw- File Permissions of the Beast
> fl...@mnsinc.com
Sounds a little pricey to me. What kind of mask and prescription cost
that much?
Normally I have never seen one go above $195 with the best mask in
the store.
steve
--
----------Stephen W. Bradley------------
--------...@commsys.com-----------
K. Zaruba
GREAT THREAD!
I was just in Jamaica and missed out on all the snorkeling because I
hadn't figured on my glasses being a problem. I just didn't think about
it, but of course the mask is not going to go on over my earpieces and
fit right. I used to wear contacts, but stopped a year ago and didn't
have them with me. I am blinder than a bat without corrective lenses,
so....
Looks like you are getting good advice here--just know that a diving mask
& standard glasses are not going to go together!
Vic
> The mask was $82 and the lenses were $180... a far cry from $400!
I got a great mask and prescription lenses a couple of years abot for
under $200. I really appreciated the shop owner of the dive shop telling
me to get a litle underprescribed rather than over since things look
larger underwater anyway. They work great!
Vicki
D Rapp
Tom Hanlon wrote:
>
> D Rapp wrote:
> >
> > Flax Trickster wrote:
> > >
> > > "jan" <bei...@email.msn.com> amused us with:
> > >
> > > >Did you know that you could have your precription put into your mask? If you
> > > >have bifocals they have things for that too. Just go to your local
> > > >optomitrist and they will more than likley do it. It's just like glasses to
> > > >them. If they can't help you try your dive shop, I know they'll point you in
> > > >the right direction! Number one rule, HAVE FUN!!!
> > > > Good Snorkeling! Aaron:-)
> > >
> > > Yes, yes... but VERY expensive if you have any other prescription
> > > other than the standard diopter!
> > >
> > > I could go snorkeling more often to get my $400 worth. :-) (or learn
> > > how to dive, but alas... I developed asthma a few years ago)
> > >
> > > Lates!
> > > Denny
> >
> > discussion of contacts vs. mask lenses and will show you (and Jan) a
> > number of other options. The one presently being discussed in this
> > thread now is the Sea Vision line. Go back and read the past posts and
> > you may find some better options.
> >
> > Dan
>
> With respect to corrective lenses.
> If you don't have an astigmatism (sp?), replacement lens are
> made that fit right into standard dive masks. You get them thru
> optomitrists, but they're not too costly.
>
> If you have an astigmatism, the lenses must be specially made
> and glued into your mask.
This is incorrect. The Sea Vision lenses correct for astigmatism
also; as do a number of other manufacturers on the market now.
Dan
Flax Trickster
You are right... I way outguessed. I was thinking of the total bill
that day at the dive shop! :-)
The mask was $82 and the lenses were $180... a far cry from $400!
Lates!
Denny (who'll be using that mask this time next week while in
Runaway Bay!)
D Rapp <dr...@gte.net> amused us with:
>>
>> My current mask cost me almost $400 because of custom lenses! I wish
>
>It shouldn't cost you this much. In fact, this thread started as a
>discussion of contacts vs. mask lenses and will show you (and Jan) a
>number of other options. The one presently being discussed in this
>thread now is the Sea Vision line. Go back and read the past posts and
>you may find some better options.
>
>Dan
******************************
Flax Trickster
"jan" <bei...@email.msn.com> amused us with:
>I knew it was costly but not that much! I have asthma too, but love to go
I was way off. I checked the receipt. It was more like $220...
almost half of what I first posted!
>diving. Just a puff or two on the ol' inhaler prevents it. If I start to
>weeze underwater, I stop, and it goes away after awhile. Try diving anyway,
>it's more fun than snorkling, till your air runs out :-).
> Good Snorkeling!
> Aaron:-)
I have thought about that, since my asthma is usually fairly light,
but, the risk is to great to me, not to mention whoever my buddy might
be for the dive.
And Id hate to have the worst attack of my life while Im 50 feet down,
and cant do any of the 2 minute waits!
Besides... Id have to lie to too many people in order to get a C Card!
No one in my area will certify a driver who has asthma, and they ask
you that question on the instruction application!
After discussing it with my doctor, if I have not had an attack in a
year, he'll sign a waiver for me. I guess Ill just have to wait until
then! :-(
Lates!
Denny
GS
Why can't you take a pair of glasses, remove the temple pieces and
attach them with a strap somehow so a mask will fit over? Anyone try
this?
Craig L. Senft
Actually that's a good way to "test the water' before spending money on a
special mask. remove the temples and wedge them into the mask. The resort
operators usually suggest this as quick way to get snorkeling and be able to
see.
GS wrote in message <34b79dc1.6985344@Jastiel>...
Alan L. Sykes
I tried it by taking off the arms and having the front part of the
glasses fit snuggly in the mask. Didn't work very well.
So I bought a perscription mask. Works great. Was about $120 but that's
only $40 more than a good mask. I think Sea View (they're in dive
magazines, the type with the colored lens).Also contacts are the best.
Al
Robert V. Clarke
GS (jst...@spammenot.ibm.net) writes:
> Why can't you take a pair of glasses, remove the temple pieces and
> attach them with a strap somehow so a mask will fit over? Anyone try
> this?
The easiest solution is to buy a good face mask and replace the lenses
with lenses that closely match your glasses prescription. The cost is
reasonable and any scuba dive shop can show you a range of masks and
lenses. It is not worth trying to rig up a system using an old set it is
a marginal solution.
--
Robert V. Clarke
Nepean, Ontario
rvcl...@mail.com
Judith Nicholls
In article <34b79dc1.6985344@Jastiel>, jst...@spammenot.ibm.net (GS) wrote:
>Why can't you take a pair of glasses, remove the temple pieces and
>attach them with a strap somehow so a mask will fit over? Anyone try
>this?
I had a couple of rigged masks before I purchased my prescription one. I wore
a mask over a small pair of glasses with thin (metal) earpieces. I glued some
lenses that I purchased into the mask. [From Edmond Scientific -- turns out
you don't really need an exact prescription under water...]
But I still recommend a prescription mask if you can afford it (skip a couple
of restaurant meals during the year...).
Happy snorkeling!
Judy Nicholls
Four Winds Travel Services, Inc. 630-851-4336, FAX: 630-851-5402
2206 Ogden Avenue, Aurora, IL 60504 tra...@4windstravel.com
http://www.4windstravel.com
Dan Volker
I've worn contacts since certified for scuba in 1972. I have NEVER lost a
contact lens diving. Since you are snorkelling, choice of a mask should be
one of three options.....My top pick is the Esclapez No Limit ( this will be
hard for you to find ) next best is the OMER Abyss mask, or the Cressi
Superochio ( probably the easiest to find, therefore the most likely choice
for you). You will find these mask seal superbly, much better than scuba
masks, and the much lower volume will make it easier for you if you want to
do a breath hold dive to the bottom, be it 20, 30 50 or 80 feet below,
whatever you are up to-----the less air you have to blow into a mask to
equalize it, the better ( equalizing the mask takes air out of your
lungs---something you don't want as you go deeper :)
Since you are new to snorkeling, I'll give you one even more critical piece
of advice. Don't use cheap fins---you will never feel trully at home in the
water with them. And don't get scuba fins. Get a very soft pair of real
Freediving fins. Your best bet will be finding a pair of full foot Cressi
Rondine Garas ( the new Cressi Gara 2000 will be too stif for a new
snorkeler). Another very good alternative would be the AB Biller freediving
fins, also only in full foot. With these fins in particular, the only
proviso is don't do a giant stride entry ( jumping off a platform feet
first---it will put too much leverage on the extremely long blades of the
fins, and biller fins will break if you do this often----when faced with
this type of entrance in to the water, just do a back flop----it requires no
special training :)
If you enter from the shore, you can walk backwards with fins on, or if
there is no surf to upset your balance, you can put them on in waist deep
water. You will use either athletic socks on your feet, or the neoprene
socks sold at dive store---you will NOT use the booties that look like they
have soles---these prevent a good fit of a fin, and destroy power transfer
by the poor fit they create with the open heel fins they are desighned for.
The snorkel of choice would probably be the U.S. Divers Impulse, a very easy
to breath, self purging snorkel. Get the same type of gear for your wife
assuming you have one and she want to do this too). The smallest foot sizes
for freediving fins will be 38-40, (European sizing) if this istoo big, she
will need to get traditional booties with thin to almost medium soles, and
attain a compromise fit with the 38-40's in full foot style. This will
still be much better than an open heel design. I know several girls who have
used this set up quite effectively.
Retail prices for each of these items should be in this
vicinity----mask---$55 ; Fins $120 ; snorkel $35 to 45( I'm not sure
here--I use a simple J design without purge, for about $18 ). A lycra skin
suit is nice to prevent sunburn and jellyfish stings---these can be found
for under $100---good sales have them well under this. You may be able to
rent a skin suit cheaply as an alternative. But I'd recommend getting your
own mask, fins and snorkel. And check out the snorkeling/freediving articles
in the South Florida Dive Journal at http://www.sfdj.com/
by clicking on "OTHER ISSUES" once in, and then choosing the freedive/
snorkelling articles. You may find the technique and gear shown as helpful.
Feel free to e-mail me about snorkelling skill info.
Regards,
--
Dan Volker
South Florida Dive Journal
http://www.sfdj.com/
The Internet magazine for u/w photography and mpeg video
Tom Ihlenfeldt wrote in article <34A868...@isd.net>...
Craig L. Senft
One thing no has mentioned yet is the "traveling with fins" issue. When we
go to Aruba we usually snorkeling once or twice during our 2-3 week stay.
Packing fins is (are) a PITA. They sorta fit in a suit case but they take
up the whole side, We usually have more luggage then we want and an extra
bag for snorkeling gear is always problematic. If you are new to snorkeling
and are not planning on doing it everyday, renting at the resort is a viable
option. You wont find the kind of equipment mentioned here but it will work.
Another accessary that the purists will shirk from, is a water ski' saftey
belt or vest. If you are not a strong swimmer, a child and/or novice
snorkeler, the belt gives you a little help. I saw a woman who was
terrified of water enjoy a session of snorkeling because the operator had
the belts and spent some time calming her fears. Note a regular life jacket
doesn't work because it is designed to keep your head out of the water
The biggest thing is just do it. you don't have to spend big bucks to
outfit yourself before you go. it is awesome whether you have $120 fins or
$20 fins.
Dan Volker wrote in message <69dtic$25ca$1...@news.gate.net>...
Dan Volker
Craig L. Senft wrote in article <69e5sh$t...@nntp02.primenet.com>...
>One thing no has mentioned yet is the "traveling with fins" issue. When we
>go to Aruba we usually snorkeling once or twice during our 2-3 week stay.
>Packing fins is (are) a PITA. They sorta fit in a suit case but they take
>up the whole side, We usually have more luggage then we want and an extra
>bag for snorkeling gear is always problematic
This is a good point. You should know freediving fins are anywhere from 34
inches long to over 38 if you have a big shoe size. Most will be under 36
inches. You do not want them to be Bent in transport, so your chice of
luggage must protect them. Freedive fins do not fit in most "Dive Bags",
which are made for the tinier and far less functional scuba fins. There are
some special bags made for them by freedive manufacturers __I have seen a
pretty cool bag for them by OMER, but probably just packing them in a big
suitcase is the nest option for the plane. To get them to the boat, you can
just carry them separate, or use one of the mesh lobster type bags which are
quite long---and cheap, to carry your snorkeling gear with.
Regards,