Full Face Mask Diving: Is This Scuba Course Right for You?

Most divers spend their first few dives getting used to a regulator clenched between their teeth and a mask that only covers their eyes and nose. It works, but it is not the only way to breathe underwater. The Full Face Mask speciality takes a completely different approach, combining your mask and regulator into a single sealed unit that covers your whole face, and it is quietly becoming one of the most requested courses at our Reading academy. If you have ever wondered what all the fuss is about, or whether it might suit you better than traditional kit, here is everything you need to know before booking.

What Is Full Face Mask Diving?

A full face mask replaces the standard half mask and separate second stage regulator with a single unit that seals around your entire face, from forehead to chin. Air is delivered directly inside the mask rather than through a mouthpiece you have to bite down on, which means you breathe naturally through your nose and mouth exactly as you would on the surface. Many models also include a built in communication system, so you can talk to your buddy or instructor underwater instead of relying purely on hand signals.

It sounds like a small change, but the effect on the diving experience is significant. There is no mouthpiece to hold in place, no risk of it being knocked out, and no jaw fatigue after a long dive. For some divers this transforms diving from something they tolerate into something they genuinely relax into.

Who Is a Full Face Mask Course Suited To?

This speciality attracts a wider range of people than you might expect. Commercial and public safety divers train on full face systems as standard, so anyone considering a career in that direction benefits from early exposure. Cold water divers appreciate the way a full seal keeps more of the face protected from icy water, which matters a great deal during a British winter dive. Divers who have struggled with jaw ache, TMJ discomfort, or a nervous habit of clenching a standard mouthpiece often find a full face mask solves the problem outright.

We also see a steady stream of divers who simply want to try something new after a few years of standard gear, along with underwater photographers and videographers who like being able to talk their subject through instructions while filming. If any of that sounds like you, the Full Face Mask Diver course is worth a closer look.

Prerequisites and Getting Started

You need to be a certified Open Water Diver or equivalent, and comfortable with basic buoyancy and mask skills before you start. There is no separate fitness test beyond the standard medical questionnaire required for any PADI course, though your instructor will check the mask fits your face properly during the first confined water session, since a poor seal is the one thing that can undermine the whole experience.

Younger or smaller divers should note that full face masks come in a limited range of sizes, so it is worth trying one on at our Bellman Court training centre before committing to buying your own. We keep a set of demo masks specifically for this reason.

What a Typical Training Day Looks Like

The course runs over one confined water session and two open water dives, and can usually be completed in a single day or spread across a weekend depending on your schedule. You will start in the pool getting used to the sensation of breathing normally with your whole face sealed, which feels strange for about ninety seconds and then becomes second nature. From there your instructor introduces mask clearing and removal and replacement procedures, which work differently to a standard mask and need to be practised properly rather than assumed.

Once you are confident in confined water, you move to two open water dives that put the skills into a real diving context, including buddy communication using the integrated comms system if your mask has one fitted. Most students are surprised by how quickly the mask starts to feel like the natural way to dive rather than a novelty.

What You Actually Learn

Beyond the core skill of donning, clearing and removing a full face mask, the course covers equipment configuration and maintenance, since these masks have more components than a standard set up and need to be looked after properly. You will also learn emergency procedures specific to full face diving, including what to do if the seal is compromised, how buddy breathing differs, and how to manage the mask if you need to switch to a backup air source.

If your chosen mask includes voice communication, part of the training covers using it properly, from basic etiquette to keeping messages short and clear so the channel stays usable in an emergency. It is a genuinely useful skill set that extends well beyond recreational diving into search and rescue, public safety and commercial applications.

Common Questions Before You Book

Do I need to buy my own mask?

Not necessarily. We have training masks available for the course itself, so you can complete your certification before deciding whether to invest in your own. Many divers try the course specifically to make that buying decision easier.

Is it harder to clear than a normal mask?

The technique is different rather than harder. Because the mask covers your nose as well as your eyes, clearing water involves a slightly different head position and breathing pattern, which your instructor will walk you through step by step until it becomes automatic.

Can I combine this with other specialities?

Yes, and it pairs particularly well with Dry Suit Diver for UK cold water diving, or with Search and Recovery if you are building towards public safety or professional work. Speak to the team about sequencing your specialities for maximum value.

Will it work with a beard or facial hair?

A good seal is genuinely harder to achieve with heavy facial hair, since the silicone skirt needs continuous contact with skin to prevent leaks. It is not automatically a dealbreaker, but your instructor will check this carefully during fitting, and some students choose to trim before their confined water session purely to make the whole experience easier while they are still learning the mask.

How much does a full face mask cost if I want my own?

Prices vary a good deal depending on whether you want integrated communications, but a solid entry level unit is a reasonable investment for anyone who dives regularly in cold water or is heading towards professional level training. We are always happy to talk through options and let you compare a few models before you buy anything.

Why It Is Worth Doing and Where It Leads

Full face mask diving is not just a gadget course. It genuinely changes how comfortable and confident many divers feel underwater, particularly in cold water, low visibility, or situations where clear communication matters. It also opens doors, whether that is towards technical and professional diving pathways through our Professional Academy, or simply towards more relaxed, enjoyable local diving through the colder months when a traditional mouthpiece starts to lose its appeal.

As with all our speciality courses, it counts towards PADI Master Scuba Diver status, so it is never time wasted even if you end up diving with a standard mask most of the time. Give it a proper try and you may find, like many of our students, that you never quite go back.

It is also worth thinking about timing. Early summer is a genuinely good moment to pick up this speciality, since it sets you up for the colder months ahead when a full seal around your face makes the biggest practical difference, and it gives you a full season of local UK diving to get properly comfortable with the mask before relying on it somewhere more demanding, whether that is a technical course, a public safety role, or simply a cold, murky quarry dive in December.

Ready to give full face mask diving a try? Book your Full Face Mask Diver course or get in touch to ask about mask fitting - we're at Bellman Court, Great Knollys Street, Reading, or call +44 (0) 118 9761 729.