Is a Backup Mask Necessary?

Most recreational divers don’t carry a backup mask. After all, your primary mask works just fine...until it doesn’t. While losing a mask is rare, it does happen, and when it does, it can instantly end your dive or create a dangerous situation.

So is a backup mask necessary for recreational diving? That depends on your dive environment, your level of risk tolerance, and how much redundancy you prefer in your gear setup.

How Masks Get Lost Underwater

Backup masks aren’t about solving a frequent problem. They are about preparing for an inconvenient or dangerous one. Here’s how divers lose masks:

• Strap failure due to age, UV exposure, or overtightening
• Knocked off during entries, especially in surf or from boats
• Unexpected surge or contact in crowded conditions
• Surface mishandling when climbing ladders or boarding a boat
• Incorrect fit or improper strap tension causing the mask to slowly work loose

It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s fast and you don’t always get a second chance.

What Happens When You Lose a Mask Mid-Dive?

Without a mask:

• Your vision becomes almost useless. The water refracts light and blurs everything
• Water floods your nose unless you consciously block it
• You may become disoriented, especially in low visibility or high current
• Your ability to communicate or navigate underwater is severely impaired

In many cases, losing a mask ends the dive and requires an immediate ascent. In more demanding environments like wrecks, caves, or deep water, that can be a serious problem.

When a Backup Mask Makes Sense

Carrying a backup mask is a smart move if:

• You dive in overhead or technical environments where surfacing immediately is not an option
• You lead dives or assist newer divers who may need help if their gear fails
• You are diving in strong surge, current, or off boats where masks get lost more easily
• You are traveling to remote dive sites where replacement gear is not available

A backup mask also lets you assist a teammate if their mask fails. Even in warm, shallow conditions, it can give you peace of mind.

How to Carry a Backup Mask

The most common and reliable way to carry a backup mask is in a pocket:

• Thigh pocket on a drysuit
• Wetsuit shorts with integrated utility pockets
• Purpose-built storage inside a secure, zippered or Velcro-closed pocket

Avoid hard plastic mask boxes. Do not use soft neoprene sleeves that offer no protection or retention. Whatever you use, make sure it is secured, accessible, and tested. Practice reaching and deploying it while neutrally buoyant. Choose a backup mask that fits your face, seals well, and has a durable strap.

Why It’s Not Overkill

Carrying a backup mask might seem excessive for a casual reef dive, but it’s no different than bringing a spare computer, extra cutting tool, or redundant air source in the right context. It’s a small item that can prevent a dive from becoming stressful or unsafe.

It is not required. But for divers who value readiness, especially in remote locations or rough conditions, it’s one of the simplest forms of self-reliance you can add.

A Personal Note

I now always dive with thigh pockets. They are built into my drysuit or part of the utility shorts I wear over my wetsuit. Since I already own a backup mask or two, I always carry one in a thigh pocket. It has never gotten in the way, and it is an easy piece of insurance to bring along.