Generally, scuba masks are constructed from silicone and rubber. Silicone masks can withstand literally hundreds of dives since pure silicone is resistant to harm from ultraviolet light, salt, and chlorine.

Moreover, pure silicone feels very soft. As a result, it will effectively seal up your face and lessen leaks. Masks with higher-quality silicone are more durable, comfortable when pressed against the skin, and last longer.

Rubber masks on the other hand, are strong and resilient to tear. Rubber masks not only ensure strength but also flexibility. It’s important for you to try out different masks and make sure you pick a material that is comfortable as well as durable.

The simplest and safest method for cleaning a brand-new dive mask is to use toothpaste. Grab some white, non-gel, non-abrasive toothpaste to use to prepare, your mask and remove the silicone layer from manufacturing. Apply it liberally inside the mask, covering the entire surface of the glass, and scrub it with your fingers (don’t use anything other than your fingers). After you scrub the inside of the mask let the toothpaste sit for 30 min to 1 hour then rinse it off with clean, fresh water.

Cleaning your new mask is important to lower the likelihood of fogging. Although there are commercial mask cleaning products on the market, toothpaste is a far more affordable option that works just as well.

Now that your mask has been prepared, you need to keep it fog free when diving using these tips!

Saliva:

Divers’ masks might still fog even after the chemical protective layer has been removed. Luckily, there is  an effective, cheap, and affordable resource for everyone. Your own saliva. While some people might find this gross, it actually works. Spit on the inside of the mask and rub it around with your finger. The goal is to leave a thin layer of saliva on the inside of the glass.

Tip: Use this method right before the dive because spitting doesn’t work well if the mask dries out.

Commercial anti-fog products:

It’s easy to find specialized anti-fog products for diving masks on the market. Many divers find these commercial defogging chemicals to be effective because they are made specifically to coat a mask’s lens. A few drops of the defogging solution should be placed in the mask, which should then be finger-rubbed around before being briefly rinsed with fresh water. Do not wipe off the defog when rinsing the mask because the goal is to leave a thin film of the defogging chemical within.

Baby shampoo:

As an alternative to commercial defoggers, you can baby shampoo. Compared to conventional adult shampoo, baby shampoo is typically hypoallergenic and less irritant to the eyes. Simply spread it around, give it a few minutes to work, and then rinse it off thoroughly with water. Avoid rubbing, as we don’t want the water to remove the film that the shampoo left behind.

Tip: Not only is baby shampoo less irritating as compared to regular shampoo, it also smells better! Most baby shampoos have a “No tears” formula which is hypo-allergenic and doesn’t cause your eyes to sting.

Consistent cleaning:

Care and consistent cleaning throughout the time that you are using your scuba diving mask is the rule number one. Cleaning and basic maintenance are necessary to keep the mask clear, prevent it from fogging up, and make it safe to wear underwater.

Using household cleaners

Different chemical-based products can reduce the lifespan of your dive mask or any other dive gear or possibly entirely destroy it. For instance, solvents are likely to harm the plastics that most masks are made of.

Leaving in hot cars:

Don’t leave your equipment on cars or direct sunlight. This is because the sun will dry your gear fast, and the UV rays will break down rubber and fabric. It can cause your dive mask to fade, become brittle, and even crack completely.

Rough handling:

Your dive masks and other dive gear is your sole responsibility. Make sure to properly handle your scuba gear to avoid having to pay chunks of money for maintenance and repair. Never, ever drop your dive masks or gear onto a hard surface such as the floor.

It is a prerequisite to learn how to dive..
Even though we don’t do a lot of swimming when you’re diving. Your BCD and breath control regulate your buoyancy, and the majority of your speed to go through the water will come from your fins. 

Hence, Knowing how to swim makes it possible and gives you options. Knowing how to swim allows divers to quickly and safely save themselves or others in case of an emergency. Additionally, being a competent swimmer can help a diver conserve energy while diving and allow them to remain aware and focused as they explore the ocean’s depths.

For people who are eager enough to learn how to scuba dive, but don’t know how to swim we would recommend that you consider taking swimming lessons. 

• Must be at least 8 years old to learn to scuba dive in a pool.
• Must be at least 10 years old to become a certified scuba diver.
• Must be 15 years old to scuba dive deeper than 40 feet (there are exceptions to this when diving with a dive professional).
• Must be comfortable in the water, and being underwater without a mask or goggles.
• Must be generally healthy and fit – will require a medical form to be completed by the parents/guardian and if needed to be reviewed by a doctor
• Must dive with a certified parent/guardian or a dive professional/ scuba instructor until 15 years of age.

Your PADI certification never expires, but if it’s been 6-12 months since your last scuba dive and/or the thought of assembling your dive gear makes you nervous, a refresher is a good idea. It’s better to be over-prepared and dive safely than risk a problem because you forgot something important. For just a knowledge review, complete PADI eLearning™. To get comfortable in the water again, also schedule time for an in-water refresher with a PADI Dive Professional.

PADI ReActivate is a fully personalized scuba refresher program – you’ll only have to cover the areas where your dive skills and knowledge need review. Move quickly through topics you know well, then dive deeper where your knowledge may have lapsed. Progress at your own pace, with as much (or little) guidance as needed from a PADI Professional to restore your mastery of fundamental scuba diving skills. A scuba refresher is an in-water dive skill review in a pool or confined water setting.

If you’re not a habitual diver (or have less than 20 lifetime dives), but you’re planning to scuba dive soon, you may want to take a refresher course before your next open water dive. Scuba diving requires specific skills and knowledge that can lapse if not practiced regularly.

Spend more time exploring the underwater world at your dive destination by completing your PADI ReActivate Scuba Refresher eLearning program in advance online and your in-water skill session with your local dive shop.

To receive an updated, ReActivated dive certification card, you’ll complete an in-water session with a PADI Dive Instructor, reviewing any skills you may have forgotten and performing fundamental dive skills: ascents and descents, assembling a scuba unit, and how to address common problems underwater.

The ReActivate program consists of two sections: knowledge review and in-water skills refresher. To receive a ReActivate date on a replacement certification card, the diver must complete both sections. Some divers may decide to complete only the knowledge review, but the program encourages all participants to complete both sections. Divers complete the knowledge review material using either ReActivate Touch or or ReActivate Online.

ReActivate Touch is an interactive program that works on tablets and mobile devices. It can be purchased two ways – from a PADI Member who provides a ReActivate Touch code or directly through the PADI Library App from the appropriate App store. Divers who purchase the Touch version on their own are required to affiliate with a PADI Dive Centre or Resort.

ReActivate Online is an interactive program designed for personal computers. Divers purchase the access code for ReActivate Online from a PADI Member. After completing all topics in the Touch or Online product, the diver takes the ReActivate Quick Review online as a final assessment. Upon successful completion, divers can download and print a ReActivate Certificate that includes a unique code. The instructor who completes the in-water skill portion enters the code while processing the diver’s ReActivated certification card online.

Before taking the PADI ReActivate program, there are a number of things you can do to ensure you are properly prepared. Here’s a scuba refresher checklist to work through before you begin:

1. Sign up online for PADI ReActivate eLearning. You can get started right away. PADI eLearning allows you to study in the comfort of your own home and at a pace that suits you. You’ll find that the online component is highly interactive and includes videos and scenarios to provide you with reminders and to check your understanding.
2. Contact our instructor and book your in-water session. This means that you’ve given yourself a date by which to complete your eLearning component, too!
3. Dig out any scuba gear that you own and intend to use. If you haven’t been diving in a while, it’s likely your gear has been stored away. Check all items carefully for any signs of deterioration. If it’s been a while since you have had any items serviced, you may want to have them checked over and serviced by a professional. When checking your gear, make sure you check the battery level in your dive computer, too – they don’t last forever!
4. Locate your logbook and certification cards. Your dive center will want to see your cards and you can make a note in your logbook of your PADI ReActivate in-water session.
5. Complete your PADI ReActivate eLearning, take the quick review, and save or print your PADI ReActivate eLearning Certificate. It’s a good idea to email this to your chosen dive center, so they have it in advance of your in-water session.
6. Assess your physical fitness – ask yourself if you are physically fit for diving. Are you in reasonable shape? If you are not feeling 100% physically fit it might be time to hit the gym to build up strength or if you have more serious concerns, visit your doctor for a medical checkup. If you decide to visit your doctor, take a copy of the PADI Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire and Physicians Evaluation Form with you and complete the questions in advance.

If you are wondering what the optional, in-water component of the PADI ReActivate program entails, here’s a checklist for what you’ll cover under the guidance of a PADI Professional. Keep in mind that the PADI ReActivate dive skills session is prescriptive, meaning that your PADI Pro will tailor-make the review to your specific needs. This is just one example of how the session may run.

1. You will begin the session with a bit of an interview with your PADI Pro who will ask you questions like these:
   • How many dives have you made, and in what conditions and environments?
   • When and where were your last dives?
   • What skills do you want to practice?
   • How did your last dives go? What would help you to improve them?
   • Are you feeling confident about diving or do you have some nervousness or anxiety? If so, why?
   • What are you hoping to accomplish by taking the PADI Reactivate in-water session?
2. Next, the Pro will watch you set up your dive gear. It’s easy to forget how things fit together – especially if you are using rental gear which may be a different brand to what you’ve used previously. Remember that the PADI Professional is there to help, so don’t be afraid to ask about anything you are not sure of. If you are struggling to recall what goes where, you can also ask your PADI Professional to give you a demonstration to jog your memory.
3. Pre-dive safety checks (buddy checks) come next. Can you remember BWRAF (BCD, Weights, Releases, Air and Final okay)? Try using the saying ‘Breakfast With Rice And Fish’ or ‘Big Whales Really Are Fast’ as an easy way to recall the correct order. Your PADI Professional may also have some other sayings to help you!
4. Ascents and Descents – You’ll be reminded of the procedures for both the five-point descent (S-O-R-T-E-D = Signal, Orientation, Regulator, Time, Elevate the BCD hose and Descend) and the five-point ascent (S-T-E-L-A = Signal, Time, Elevate the BCD hose, Look up, and Ascend) over deeper water.
5. Next up is mask clearing and mask removal and replacement. Even the best fitting masks will leak from time to time. It only takes a stray hair underneath the silicone seal, or simply smiling can cause water to enter your mask. For this reason, you’ll review the mask skills that you covered during your PADI Open Water Diver course including a partial mask flood and clear, full flood and clear, and finally mask removal and replacement.
6. Buoyancy control is essential for diver safety and comfort, so you’ll review your buoyancy skills, including neutral buoyancy, hovering, and swimming underwater while maintaining your buoyancy. If you are unsure of your weights, this is a great opportunity to ask your PADI professional to assess your weights and weight placement.
7. The final skill set you’ll cover is Alternate Air Source Ascents. This ensures that you are well prepared should an out-of-air situation occur. During this skill, you will take your buddy’s or PADI professional’s alternate air source and ascend. You will also act as a donor with your PADI Professional taking your alternate air source and ascending.
8. Based on the pre-dive discussions and your PADI’s Pro’s observation of how you complete the skills he or she may have you practice additional skills.  Don’t hesitate to use this time to ask for more practice or review if you feel you would benefit from it.