Purge Masks... What's the Deal?

If you were an active snorkeler/diver in the early 2000s and 2010s, then you’ve most likely seen a purge mask before. In short, they’re a traditional dive mask with a one way purge diaphragm incorporated into the nose piece. In theory they are supposed to provide the diver with an easier time clearing their mask. Simply blow out your nose and the water is gone!

Here at the shop, we find two issues with this. One: the diaphragm is simply another piece of the mask that can be bent, misshapen, cracked, and fail during a dive. You wouldn’t want the possibility of not being able to control water flowing into your mask, and with a failed diaphragm that is exactly what can happen. Two: how do you clear water out of your regular mask? That’s right… just blow! The process is the same and achieves the same result, so the purge serves as an unnecessary piece of the mask.

What do you think? Are you for or against purge masks? Have you ever used one?