Full Face Mask Showdown Ocean Reef Versus OTS 

In our next video Jason, I plan on discussing all the Pro's and Con's to each mask. We want to thank both you and Michael for helping us our with the video.

A full face mask I found to be the most comfortable but slightly more expensive was the Apollo bio-pro, It fit my face better than both OTS and guardian with better field of vision. If it's in budget I would highly recommend trying the Apollo

You're welcome Donovan, we plan on doing more of these in the future.

You are correct, clipping off or putting your mask in your pocket is the ideal thing to do. Michael is still learning.

You're welcome. And stay tuned, hopefully we will have it up by tomorrow.

You're welcome John Jones, and thank you for watching our video. Personally I have never had an issue with the buoyancy, as Jason mentioned in the video. However, it is understandable considering the mask creates a large air space, thus causing more positive buoyancy for the diver.

Thanks Phil, glad you liked our video.

You're welcome Jeff.

Hello Charles Lair, thank you for you services as a Rescue Recovery Diver. We like both OTS and Ocean Reef.

You're welcome, glad you liked it.

Hello Phillip, if you have an OTS dealer local to you, ask them if you can try it, to see what you think. Most of our divers here in our area prefer the Ocean Reef over the OTS, but occasionally we will have one that likes OTS better.

You're welcome. Glad our video helped make your decision easier.

Hello Neptune's Creations, glad to hear the Divator MKII works for you. Its definitely a well built mask.

Not sure where you are located Will, but we have an organization here called the Piedmont Diving & Rescue Association (NCPDRA), and we currently have over 1000 members. It owns 3 quarries throughout our state, and as a member you have 24/7 access. There is always people to dive with. Here is the link if you would like to check it out. ncpdra.org/

You're welcome, Sounds good.

I am currently using the Lil Powerhouse from Comfort Zone Scuba.

By the end of the night, he was very proficient using the Full Face Mask.

Hello Tony Smith, OTS makes a great product. We still have several of our Pro's that prefer them over the Ocean Reef.

check out the Kirby morgan supermask and the M48 mod1. I just ordered mine and can't wait to try it out!

TwoSpoildDivers, I agree with you 100% in regards to the faulty design issues. No matter the reason, each time I go inverted, my Full Face Mask begins to Free Flow. The Space Model and higher comes with an adjustable exhaust which helps out a lot, and it can be added to the G-Divers as well. Unfortunately, you have to remember to rotate it back into position once your body is no longer inverted. Between all of the Ocean Reef series, I have used the G-Divers, the Space, and the Iron Mask the most, and like you, I prefer G-Divers, after customization of course.

I am a huge fan of any Kirby Morgan. Unfortunately, it difficult for your typical dive shop to sell them to the recreational market.

Thanks EDDY POON, glad you liked the video.

Hello bikeon143, great question. In regards to the bifocals, Ocean Reef has an insert that allows you to use any prescription you may need (diving.oceanreefgroup.com/product/optical_lens_support/). As for switching cylinders, Ocean Reef has a gas switch block as well. Here is a video showing you how it works. (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q2wjE5h0sXE.html) Hope this helps.

Hello Manny Milles, in our experience, fogging issues are caused by the mask not being properly seated against a diver's face. As far as brand, they all can fog for the same reason.

Hello Lars, I've not heard of that happening before. Typically with most manufactures, once new models come out, they only allow a brief period (this could be 1 year to 10 years) that they will support older models. This could be for a number of reasons. Depending on what model you have, there are several Ocean Reef Dealers that are also repair centers, and they may have extra older parts laying around. I tend to update my Full Face Mask about every 5 years. Technology in the Scuba Industry grows so rapidly, and it can get expensive trying to keep up with it. But on the upside, compared to buying a new car every 5 years, or in some cases a new car once a year, upgrading dive gear is not that expensive. You may be able to find replacement parts for purge buttons on EBAY. Also write a post on ScubaBoard, as it is a great place as well to connect with divers from all over the world that may have parts laying around.

Hello Martin Lewis, each diver will have a different outcome. Some divers have an increased SAC rate while other lower theirs. It all depends on how comfortable you feel underwater.

Hello GimpGunfighter, I would love to do a video on those two mask, unfortunately, I don't have a Kirby Morgan m48.

Hello Miggy Enjambre, both mask are equipped with a small block that seals to you nose and allows you to equalize your ears while diving.

It seems to be a pretty 50/50 split.

Hello Pinnacle Diving Company PDC. The OTS Spectrum is not a model that we carry nor have in stock. We would be happy to do a comparison test between the OTS Spectrum and the Ocean Reef complete line if you have one to send us. Thanks.

Hello AQUADOMIA Formation plongee sous-marine, glad you liked the video. Full Face Mask are very popular in our area.

The one you see in the video, are the SLS pockets from Mares. But you can add any manufacturers. My personal XR system has two small Mares trim pouches attached to my lower tank cam band.

Thanks for your answer, i have never seen a SLS pocket for the XR Wing? Is this an special version? Don't find something like this on the web. I use at the moment 4 Mares trim pouches and two XR weight pockets on the side of my red Devil, but thats not the best option, because there are no separat pockets for the weight. Greetings from Switzerland, Tino @@LakeHickoryScuba

Tino, the SSI Pro version of the Red Devil comes with the SLS weight system pre-attached. Unfortunately this model is only available to SSI Professionals. I have a set of the XR weight pouches as well, but I never use them. I primarily use a steel plate, so the addition of extra weight is not necessary for me. If you decide to purchase a set of the SLS pockets, you will have to order both the pouches and the pockets separate, as they do not come together. Also, you will need two plastic TriGlides to hold them in place. If you try to use standard metal TriGlides, the pockets will simply slip over them, and your pockets will slide around.

Hello Timothy Berlinski, there sure is. With the Ocean Reef line of mask, there are several ways you can prevent a free flow. If you have the G-Divers series, you can simply adjust the cracking pressure while in the inverted position, and this will stop the free flow. If you have any of the professional series of mask (Space, Predator, or Iron Mask), they all come with an adjustable exhaust port. This prevents a free flow while inverted. A cool little fun fact, the new Neptune 3 has an updated design, that completely eliminates free flows while inverted. Feel free to check out our review of it here. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ecE4wpMz4Hs.html. Hope this helps.

@@LakeHickoryScuba just bought a neptune 3 excited to try it

Hello Andre Bakkers, glad to know the ScubaPro is working for you.

Yes Samuel, they are. You simple match the channels up if you are using a dual channel system, and you can communicate with each other.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

Hello Scuba Steve, for me personally, my Air Consumption goes way up with a Full Face Mask. For others it comes down. Air consumption is controlled by many factors, primarily how comfortable is a diver when they are underwater. I wear a Full Face Mask at least 3 days a week, and for the primary purpose of doing Salvage and Public Safety work. This being said, my mind set is focused more so on the task at hand, and not so much at controlling my breathing. So my air consumption goes way up. Several of our professionals here at the shop have the opposite effect, and their air consumption goes down.

I have been diving the Ocean Reef for about a year now. I can say that my air consumption has gone up while using the FFM. My normal regulator is a Atomic B2 which breaths almost effortlessly. I always seem to use very little air when on my Atomic. I did have my Ocean Reef FFM bench checked and put on the flow meter to make sure it was tuned properly. I think it takes lots of practice to really get the breathing control down with a FFM. That's just my opinion. I love my Ocean Reef and do not regret buying it at all. I try to use it as much as possible as practice makes perfect.

Hello Mike, thank you for being a Subsciber. You will not be disappointed with the Guardian, it is a great mask. Its always good to have gear that matches you local dive buddies, as it makes servicing easier. Plus you guys will be comfortable working with each other as well. We should have another comparison video up sometime after lunch today, so stay tuned for it as well.

Hello Greig King, sorry to hear that you are having trouble with this. We have never really had that issue, I would suggest though to make sure that the mask is adjusted properly. One mistake a lot of divers make is, they over tighten the top straps. This can cause some divers to not feel comfortable underwater, thus leading them to not fully exhale. This of course can lead to bad buoyancy control.

@@LakeHickoryScuba i will try this out tomorrow when im at the pool, thanks

Hello DanaCrosby that is a great question. Both the Ocean Reef and the OTS will stay fog free, as each mask is constantly taking on fresh air with each breath.

Hello PedroPolidano1, the two mask featured in this video was the Ocean Reef G- Divers and the OTS Guardian. Unfortunately, Mares does not manufacture Full Face Mask.

Hello @solvenprepper6906, glad the OTS Guardian is working for you.

Pretty easy, all this comes with proper training Jungle Juno.

Hello b st john, here is a link to the lights you see mounted on my mask (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lj42uhlyqA8.html), we sell them here at the shop. As far as communications being compatible with OTS, yes they are. We will be talking about that in the next video.

@@LakeHickoryScuba thank you

My first (and current) is Hollis MOD-1. I absolutely love it EXCEPT for the fact that the lower field of vision is not so great. I'm unable to see my chest, harness, etc. Due to the rigid frame, you can only physically bow your head so far. Other than that I love it and bought it mostly due to the Modular build. You can do gas switches/bailouts without removing your mask. Also, there's always a mouthpiece so the POD can be flooded but you push the reg in your mouth and you're good; take all the time you want to clear the pod.

You're welcome b st john

I've never used the Hollis MOD-1, but have always heard good things about it.

Wished I had one Ralph Garcia.

I agree with you Will, however, we call it progression of training. Unfortunately, most of the training session was not recorded, as focusing on my students trumps filming a RU-vid video. We believe in a stair step approach to teaching. We start by teaching the basics, then work them up to the higher levels. And example is for the new student who is learning mask removal and replace. They start by kneeling in the shallow end and they learn how to remove and replace their mask. Then we have them do it in a horizontal swimming position. Then we make them hover in place and do it again. Finally, once we have worked our way down to the deep end, we have them do it mid skill, while attempting another skill such as a cramp removal. This training progression allows them to fine tune their skills gradually, before we advance them on to the Open Water Check Outs. What you saw in the video, was Michael's first attempt at performing the skill. If you look closely enough, you will even see him switch back to his alternate second stage, as he had a little trouble seating the Full Face Mask on his first attempt.

Hey Will!! You picked up on some great fine points. I’m Michael’s dad, the other “student” (and AI) in the video. You are most certainly correct that clipping the mask back is the way to go. When we were discussing the skill on the surface, the instructor said clip it, however since it was the first time, just lay the mask down to figure out the skill. We did the same thing a second time with the other mask and did ensure he clipped it. Like Bryan mentioned it’s all about progression. I can’t remember if I did it the first time or not. Even though I’m his dad, and bias, he’s a great diver. I’m always impressed how when something doesn’t go ultra smooth he never panics or gets anxious, like I. The video. Like in the video the mask wasn’t completely sealed, so he went back to his alternate to reseat the mask.

One of the things you will learn during your Full Face Mask Course is how to equalize. In short, there are small little rubber pieces that close off your nostrils, which will allow you to still use the valsalva method to equalize. You can also still wiggle your jaw and swallow to equalize as well.

I removed the nose blocks all together, although I have never needed to pinch my nose to equalise. I spend about 5-6 hours underwater during a dive and I don't think I could ever go back to a mouth piece regulator. These things are so great for jaw fatigue... And no fog ever is amazing

@@toms4022 what kind of diving are you doing?

@@GinEric84 commercial fishing for sea urchin. You want a job? ;) It's pretty easy going

@@toms4022 sounds like a sweet gig

That is awesome Michael Adams, I wished mine didn't.

That’s pretty cool.

Hello Aaron Kelly, sorry to hear that you had trouble while diving a Full Face Mask.

Thanks for pointing that out Aprilia rs.

This will be addressed in the next video as well. Ocean Reef has grown rapidly in the recreational market, to where OTS came from the Commercial side. When we look at the industry as a whole, there are way more recreational fun divers swimming around, than there are working divers. The good news is, both companies continue to have new innovations that will help keep divers safe, and feel comfortable underwater. One thing that I didn't mention in the video is, ironically even though I use my Full Face Mask several times a week, I am old school and would much rather have just a plain old mask and second stage.

LOL, you should see the sign that says "No Peeing in the Pool." By that standards I should be on death row. I feel pretty confident, the no diving sign is meant for people not to dive into the pool, in the shallow end.

DIVING AS IN JUMPING