Links

And now for my highly subjective and very limited small link list. This list covers more specialized topics when it comes to SCUBA diving. In addition, it is not intended to be comprehensive in any way. The links given here do not in any way endorse any services or products. They serve simply as possible starting points for getting more (specific) information about particular topics.

Instructors for Diving Full Face Masks

• Wolfgang Friebe, profrie-dive.de (Aachen, Germany), certifies according to IAC standards (International Aquanautic Club, SDI/TDI). Trains with full face masks of types OTS Guardian, Dräger Panorama Nova Dive, and Interspiro MK II.

Retailers for Full Face Masks, Accessories, Service Parts

• Wolfgang Friebe, profrie-dive.de (Aachen, Germany).
• Martin Tolksdorf, tecme.de (Gladbeck, Germany). Focuses on rebreather parts, but also has many Dräger service parts, for rebreathers and Panorama Nova Dive full face mask.
• W+S Water Safety Europe GmbH, www.watersafetyshop.com (Berlin, Germany). Sells many service parts, for instance, for the Dräger Panorama Nova Dive full face mask.

Makers of Full Face Masks

• Dräger
• Apeks: Dräger Full Face Sports/Technical Mask.
• Dräger Safety: Panorama Nova Dive Tauchmaske (former Dräger Dive has been integrated into Dräger Safety some time ago).
• Ocean Reef
• Ocean Reef company web site.
• PADI Specialty Course sowie SSI Specialty Course.
• Manual for Neptun Space full face mask.

Misc

• Mask defogging: a clean and green dish cleaner without any additives, scents, and fillers from Spinnrad. See also Dive Vader's Mask Defogging Force.

GoPro Hero und Zubehör

• GoPro web site
• Firmware updates – simply choose «manually update camera» and your firmware update should be easier and more reliable than the unreliable automatic firmware update procedure...
• Abe Kisleviz (GoPro)
• Understanding your new GoPro [Hero 3 Black Edition] – really worth a read.
• Understanding your GoPro [Hero 3 Black Edition] Part 2 – really worth a read.

Warning

Dive Authority Warning:

Okay, this should have warned you enough, my dear readers, of the inherent dangers involved with this blog. See also the sidebar. You have been warned. Really.

Maybe there is need for something along the lines of Full Face Masker Anonymous? Wearing your mask at the meeting would surely keep you anonymous, but I somehow doubt that would be helpful to the overall group goal...?

PS: This is not about making fun of mutual aid group's work as such.

Drill

Enjoying diving with a full face mask in cold environment (Happurger Baggersee, BY/D).

Know the Drill

Good information about safety-aware handling of full face masks may not easily be found. There are some drill anecdotes floating around, but are these sufficient? What I've found and read usually covers the simple basics where you typically train in a confined environment, kind of «tile certification». But what about real-world situations? Do we need to bring our own tiles then...?

Full Face Masks Overview

Enjoying diving with a full face mask. (In Murner See, BY/D)

This is my incomplete list of full face masks of interest to SCUBA divers. Please understand that information given here is without any guarantee for accurateness and without any warranty; you know, errors are human. Nevertheless, this list may give you a first and (at least slightly) organized overview on the field of diving full face masks. It is in no way complete and comprehensive.

     

Drill Rounds and Exercises

Safety-aware drill can even be fun. Not only to spectators and mockers.
(In Sauerkraut Factory, Aufkirchen, BY/D)

So let us now, well, dive to the details of a safety-aware full face mask drill. This article breaks down the previously described drill concept into concrete bits and pieces, in our case, these are rounds and exercises. Remember that the overall idea here is that with each round the (simulated) «environmental and equipment difficulties» increase in order to improve your skills. In contrast, the exercises are basically the same constant set across all rounds.

Sediment Specialty

The Sediment Whisperer.

If Peak Perversion Buoyancy doesn't work for you ... no problem ... then the Sediment Whisperer will be just right for you and easy to obtain. For the friends of the sediments: this card is a must!

This specialty is going to churn (not only) you up!

And remember: PAYDI never descriminates any customer group. When it comes to customers' money, we all regard them the same. As long as they have enough.


PS: Axel Eisele did this phantastic shot in Lake Blindsee (T/A). He waited for the right moment and then pushed the trigger. And I thought he was looking for the camouflage loach so I was waiting for him.