Everything You Need to Know About Full Face Mask Diving (Pros and Cons + OTS vs Ocean Reef)

In this video, Melanie and I try out full-face mask scuba diving for the first time! I'll go over what a full face mask is, how it's different from regular diving, as well as some pros and cons. Stick around to the end of the video and we’ll tell you which mask we liked better, the OTS (Ocean Technology Systems) Guardian or Ocean Reef full face mask. Let me know in the comments below which one you prefer!

EDIT: I am not an expert on these masks or even remotely close to one. This video will be left up because I think it is helpful to those genuinely interested in FFM diving but I will no longer wear one nor will I cover any further topics on the matter due to the high volume of inappropriate attention it receives from the fetish community.

DISCLAIMER: My videos are for general information purposes only. They do not act as or replace formal training or certification with a professional from a recognized agency.

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Filming Equipment

Check out the FFMs we used!

Timestamps
0:00 – Intro
1:15 – What is a full face mask?
1:30 – How is it different?
3:32 - Pros
5:58 – Cons
6:37 – FAQs
8:09 – OTS vs Ocean Reef
10:56 – Outro
11:19 – Bloopers
12:08 – Subscribe

[grahamargent]

Your list of Pro's mentioned an important safety difference if for any reason a diver becomes unconscious they are safe and can keep breathing with a full face mask. Otherwise if your buddy is not right there you're in trouble.

[michaelblock]

OTS is my favorite I have used mine for years for recreational scuba diving, diving at the Seattle Aquarium, And in commercial diving applications such as Salvage Work. I love this mask. I also use mine with Com’s

[RedTSquared]

I know this is a year old Vid but thanks for posting this. Getting back into diving after a 30+ year dry spell. Trying to get my wife into diving but she has serious issues with a regulator. This will be a great video for her to watch!

Sorry you won't be doing any more videos on FFMs. Would love to see you in the blue with one and Comms.

Be safe and stay wet!

[FFAdventuresOriginal]

I dive the Ocean Reef GDivers FFM with Space Extender. Absolutely love it, and never going back. Everyone says they cost too much, but if you spend $150 on a good mask, and another $400-$500 on a good regulator, you've almost spent the same as the full face mask (at least for the Ocean Reef).

[joshmandeville]

I dive the ocean reef space extender and love it. Both the entry level G divers (what you used) and the more expensive models come with spacers to adjust the nose blocks to fit you perfectly. And I've found that I consume WAY less air with FFMs than normal setups. Still a good comparison though

[isaacmont]

I got the Ocean Reef. I love it. I have never tried the OTS mask.

[insomniacmike]

Tried ffm for the first tine this weekend and found for me I could equalize much easier. Only issue I found that I didnt like with the OTS was I had to watch how I looked around because of free flow. Know the Ocean Reef Neptune 3 exhaust port fixed that issue from what I've seen in review video's.

[DavidPaigeMusic]

I’m new to scuba (just got my open water cert this month with my wife on our honeymoon!).

I had to hold my nose when filling or removing my mask and breathing through my mouth. I had some anxiety about getting water in my nose otherwise.

I’d be interested in learning how to dive with a full face mask for communication with my buddy and to record audio for underwater videography.

I’m concerned about clearing the mask. Did you have any insight into that? Was that a complete non issue?

[Mystiskmusli]

Thanks for this fantastic review. I like your energy and humor

[theultimatetowerofterrorre]

How do you clear water leakage/incursion into the top (portion covering uppper face/eyes)? What happens if you submerge without turning valve from ambient to diving mode? Thanks; totally enjoyed the video. Strangely my immediate aesthetic choice of masks was the ocean reef and was kind of shocked you both liked the looks of the OTS mask.

[kevinong]

Great video! Thank you for sharing your insight!

[captainpanda]

Aquaventure's my LDS! Great group of people, and a great local store!

[fungalspore]

Got the OTS upgrade to the older job guys!

[tinkmarshino]

Haven't dived for year... Just stumbled on this and enjoyed you two .. what's the word?? Oh TOTALLY..

[wil.mcclure]

Both are great masks. It just depends on what you are looking for.... and how much you can afford. My former line of work I had the opportunity to dive K/M EXO 26, OTS AGA, as well as ScubaPros FFM. I had the Ocean Reef Neptune II NIRA. Good mask... Except for the "Marshmallows" lol. I'm fixing to get a Ocean Reef GDiver soon.

[chimyshark]

Did you feel any nick or head discomfort when wearing them? Ocean reef I felt was too heavy so on land, it would pull my head down, but it was so buoyant that in the water, it would push my head up and I had to use my neck to push it back to trim. I didn't have either of these issues with OTS, so I def like that one more.

[maxtorque]

IME, the OR mask is a better fit for people with longer thinner faces, and the OTS better fitting for people with rounder face shapes.. Small differences but certainly noticeable, worth trying on both if you are going to buy a FFM!

(also, the surface valve often gets left open accidentally, but unless you turn upside down or swim really face down, the mask won't flood because the exhaust diaphram is at the lower side of the mask, where water pressure is slightly higher than where the SV sits, so, unless you turn upside down as mentioned, the internal air pressure keeps the SV shut! (Best practice is obvs. to shut any SV before you jump ;-)

[breckere]

Very good video. I am partial to the ocean reef.

[maxheadroom]

Which has bet5er seal comfortable against the face and easier to equalize? I like the setup of tje ocean reef and to me i can pack it for travel. For me it is important to minimize the pressure on my face due to injury for this reason i do not like regular mask. I bought a ff snorkel mask and the fit is so much comfortable.

[justdiveitne]

I have the Ocean Reef with Comms. Love it when I need it.