I found a nice article from ezinearticles.com. Dilemma for snorkeller with mustache by Roy Jamason (see his nice photo on left side, maybe a great snorkeler). I put i here for sharing. So happy reading........
Snorkeling Mask - Can You Get Get a Good Seal With a Mustache
Snorkeling Dilemma "To Shave or Not to Shave. That is the question" I know, I know; it doesn't sound like a big deal on having to shave it off but I would rather not have to lug any extra stuff on a vacation than I have to. Then there is the itchy and naked feeling I get when not having one. I decided to devote some space for the hirsute snorkeling crowd out there with some do's and don'ts and tips to try and get around this "hairy" dilemma.
The first tip is getting a good mask with a soft silicone skirt. Avoid any mask that is not silicone because the silicone will conform to the face better than the inexpensive masks found in the seasonal aisles of "Mart" stores. Silicone is more expensive but it is more resistant to the elements such as Ultra-violet rays so it will have a better life value. If you are unsure if the mask is silicone, a good way to check is to see if it has tempered glass lenses. The lenses will have "tempered" written on the glass. Manufacturer's who spend the money on tempered glass are more likely to use silicone for the skirt as well. The mask skirt should have what is called a double seal, which will create a more effective barrier than masks without.
If you are like most people, you might think "If it leaks tighten it". While this works with faucets and such, tightening the mask strap will only serve to reduce the silicone skirt's ability to conform to the face. The simple act of smiling or taking out the snorkel will cause leakage from other areas. Granted, you may have to play with how tight or loose the mask strap needs to be, but the position of the mask strap on the back of the head may solve a lot more problems than you might think. Positioning the mask strap higher on the back of the head will pull the bottom of the skirt tighter to the lip but will still allow the rest of the mask skirt to conform the other facial features.
ou may have heard people suggest putting petroleum gels on the mustache to create a better seal. While this does actually work, using petroleum gels such as Vaseline will deteriorate the silicone over time and is therefore not advised. Using a food grade silicone gel will work and will not affect the silicone skirt. While this is a very viable means of taking care of leakage due to mustaches, it is really a bite getting the silicone gel out of the mustache when you are done snorkeling.
If you have a very thick mustache, thinning it out will help. I have known guys to go so far as to trim their mustaches to create a wider space between the nose and the upper lip. This allows the inner seal of the mask skirt to seal directly to skin of the upper lip. I have a hard time with seeing this as it always reminds me of the way Adolph Hitler wore his mustache.
These are but a few suggestions. They may or may not work for those with mustaches. If you have tried these and have not succeeded then it is time to kiss that mustache goodbye and see what you've been missing. Anyone with any other tips or suggestions that have not been listed is highly encouraged to let me know of them via e-mail.
For those that are unfamiliar to snorkeling terms, we have put together a nice Snorkelpedia for you to view. Feel free to email us with any questions, you can always find us at http://www.snorkelingonline.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roy_Jamason
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