PSA: Kirby Morgan band mask vs. Ocean Reef full face for cold water work

After spending two weeks on a bridge job in Lake Erie last month, I finally switched from my Ocean Reef full face to a used Kirby Morgan band mask I found at a shop. The difference in cold water performance was huge. With the Ocean Reef, my regulator kept freezing up on dives below 40 degrees, and I was spending too much time defrosting. The Kirby Morgan has a dry valve system that handled the 38 degree water without any issues across 12 dives this week. Has anyone else tried one for welding or cutting in cold conditions? I am thinking about selling my old mask.

2 comments

2 Comments

the_fiona3d ago

Frozen regulators are basically my love language at this point, apparently. Glad I'm not the only one with a defrosting side hustle.

elizabeth4382d agoMost Upvoted

50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water works way faster than waiting for them to thaw on their own.