To burn or not to burn? 🤿🔥

I’m gearing up for a dive trip, and with my usual routine of packing two of everything in case of any mishaps, I've just added a new Cressi Super Occhio dive mask bag. Before I hit the water, it's time to prep this mask so it's ready for action.

This technique may seem strange, but from my experience with many different masks, it is an essential step. Here’s how I do it:

1. Burn: Gently move the flame around the center of the lens in a continuous motion. The intense heat from the flame will make the mask fog and blacken slightly, but you'll see the silicone burn away, leaving a clear area. Be extremely careful when moving the flame closer to the frame to avoid burning or deforming the skirt.

2. Toothpaste: After burning your mask, brush the inside with toothpaste. Do it right after the burn; the toothpaste should turn black when smeared into the mask. Make sure to use white toothpaste without “crystals” to prevent scratching your mask! Leave it on overnight for optimal results. Wash off the toothpaste with soap and water, and avoid rinsing it in the sea.

3. Spit or Anti-Fog: Just before diving, spit into your mask, then quickly submerge it in water without rinsing it off completely and place it directly on your face. Only remove it at the end of the dive. I’ve found that spitting into my mask is the only thing that actually works against fogging. Alternatively, you can use baby shampoo.

With these steps, my mask is always ready to give me a clear view of the underwater world. Happy diving! 🐠🪸🐋

In case you need some dive gear recommendatios, here’s my Amazon storefront link with all my favorites.