Genesis Iron Mask

Jim Instructor - Trainer

Freedivers and advanced snorkelers have a unique need when it comes to masks. Where low volume is a matter of personal preference for scuba divers, it is essential for freedivers. Making repetitive dives, they can experience the unsightly and sometimes painful result of mask squeeze, ruptured capillaries in the tissues of the face and eyes. Ambient pressure is the culprit; when it increases on descent, it forces the tissues to fill the uncompensated air space within the mask. Divers must equalize the pressure by blowing air into the mask during descent so, for freedivers, a low volume mask is the answer to easy equalization and the lower the volume the better.

The Genesis Icon mask is unlike your typical dive mask. It is super low volume freedivers mask. A hybrid of a swim goggle and a two lens mask, it is one of the most unique-looking masks on the market today. And, like most radical style changes, it takes some getting used to.

The Icon is such a low volume mask; it feels as if you've forgotten to bring something along on the dive. It's very sleek in the water and one hardly notices the pull of the current owing to its ultra low profile. This small airspace also makes it a breeze to clear. Yet despite the small airspace, there is, surprisingly, ample room for a nose of even Brobdingnagian (see Gulliver's Travels) proportions.

Another aspect that takes some getting used to is the view. While the front facing lens are traditional tempered glass are clear and distortion free. The peripheral view (where the polycarbonate is curved) is made of high impact resistant polycarbonate lenses and does distort. Unfortunately, the lenses stick out just far enough that this distortion is always within view and it was a bit of a distraction during my dives.

The inside of the lens is coated with a hydrophilic anti-fog coating, completely eliminating the need for defog solution or spit. The rugged polycarbonate lenses have been hard coated for scratch resistance on the outside.

The soft and supple silicone skirt is wide and comfortable on the face, providing a solid, seal. The split silicone mask strap is easily adjustable, even while diving, and the buckles swivel for a personalized fit and positioning.

The Genesis Icon mask comes with a storage pouch and a mask box for protection against damage. Highly recommended for free divers.