Stop My Snorkel Mask From Fogging?

by Susan
(south carolina)

I'm headed back to Maui and can't wait. We're staying at Napili Bay so if you have any good advice...my first experience was at Kapalua Bay so my husband wants to take me back there.

I got a brand new snorkel and prescription inserts for my mask but I still seem to have a problem seeing the settings on my camera. My family has already told me to make sure my mask stays clear this time. Any good advice on that? I've used the drops, spit and toothpaste. I have the waterproof case for my Sony Cybershot.

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Galen's Reply

Susan, I bet you will enjoy staying at Napili. It is a beautiful beach. The snorkeling is OK, but not stellar there. I would suggest you check out the snorkeling at Kahekili. It is one of our favorite spots on Maui. Honolua Bay is another favorite up on that side of Maui, although the visibility can be a problem as well as access.

As for the issue of your mask fogging up, I wrote about that in a recent newsletter and I have included the important stuff below.

Newsletter Excerpt

You may be surprised to learn that the number one reason for a foggy mask is a dirty mask. The moisture forming inside your mask has to attach to something. That something is dirt specks and oils. Moisture cannot easily attach on a very clean mask. With a clean mask the moisture sheets down and collects at the bottom instead of fogging.

Here is our four step solution to a foggy mask.

1. Clean your mask often, and then don't touch it inside. Clean it with toothpaste, and a toothbrush, not your finger. Apply a small amount of non-abrasive toothpaste, and scrub it in hot water. Rinse it completely in hot water. Do this often during a snorkel trip.
   
2. Don't touch the inside of your mask with your fingers.
   
3. Use anti-fog. The best is a very mild solution of baby shampoo and water. Spray it in your mask, swish it around and dump it out. DO NOT RUB IT AROUND WITH YOUR FINGERS! Your fingers are oily and dirty. Also, don't rinse it out with fresh water. You want the mild soap coating on the glass. It helps prevent moisture attachment. That is why you want it to be a very mild solution (so it does not burn or irritate your eyes).
   
4. Attempt to keep as little water in the mask as possible. Shake out any anti-fog or other water drops before using it. Try to have a relatively dry face. Once the mask is on with a good seal, try to keep from removing it and allowing moisture to enter. Try not to clear the mask by breathing inside of it unless you must (that adds moisture).

If I can I will try to enter the water with a dry mask, over a dry face, and I will not take that mask off at all during a snorkel. And it works.

But when it does not work, then Nicole and I have found that if we remove the mask, spit in it, shake the mask around to coat the glass, dump it out, and put it back on, this will generally fix the problem.

One final tip. Condensation also occurs when you bring something from a cold place into a warm place. So when you have had your face in the water, and then come up and face the sun and let your mask lenses warm up, this will contribute to fogging (same reason your camera lens and LCD's fog - heat from the LCD). So when you are sitting up in the water to talk with your partner, make a habit of turning your back to the sun.