burning mask

[Martin Kuss]

Why on page 44 of the May 2008 is the girl in the photo burning her mask?

[Brooke_Morton]

Ty picked up that trick from a divemaster from Stuart Cove's in the Bahamas. Flick on a lighter and hold the flame several inches from a brand new—as in never used—mask. It'll burn off that coating that comes from the factories. Do this and you'll avoid those bicep-building hours spent cleaning a new mask with Soft Scrub. Be careful though because if you leave the flame in one place too long, you could damage your mask. And I doubt any center would give you your money back for burning a mask ... .

--Brooke Morton
Associate Editor