What exactly is a Full Face Mask?

Well, the simple answer is it is a diving mask that integrates a 2nd stage regulator into it and covers the diver’s entire face. From there, what dictates what Full Face Mask is right for you depends on your needs and wants as a diver. There are many options available, however the two most widely used Full Face Masks on the market are the OTS Guardian Full Face Mask and OTS Spectrum Full Face Masks.

Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information about the different full-face masks available and how to determine the correct one to meet their needs.

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 15 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Full Face Mask Diver Course takes an in-depth look at all the following and more:

• Purpose
  • Diver safety
  • Communications
• Advantages
  • Increased diver safety
  • Communications
  • Corrective lenses
• Disadvantages
  • Increased air consumption
  • Buoyancy
  • Bulky
• Types
  • Appropriate/inappropriate
  • Scuba quick connect/disconnect.
  • Surface supplied.
• Techniques/procedures
  • Donning
  • Diving with a full face mask
• Underwater Communications
  • Types of communication equipment
• User/field maintenance and care
• Authorized servicing/preventive maintenance
• After use

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Dive plan.
• Equipment set up.
• Proper donning and adjustment
• On the surface, switching from open to close
• Proper weighting
• Establish buoyancy and demonstration of buoyancy control
• Equalization techniques
• Clearing a partially flooded mask
• Remove and replace full face mask underwater
• free flowing full face mask
• Successfully switch to a back up mask
• Remove mask and utilization of alternate air source
• Alternate air source ascent
• Ascent and exit
• Log dive

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training.
• The areas of activities approximate those of training.
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training.

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Full Face Mask Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.