We need to get some clarification here. There is no such thing as a snorkeling goggle. Goggles are used for skiing, swimming and sometimes flying. They are also used as safety eyewear in various work applications. They are not used for snorkeling or scuba diving. The dictionary defines them as “Large spectacles equipped with special lenses having protective rims to prevent injury to the eyes from water, strong wind, flying objects, blinding light and even flying objects.” Though water is mentioned, the goggle meant by that definition is a swimming goggles..
The swim goggle is designed to seal against the inner or outer areas of the sockets only whereas the snorkeling and scuba masks include the wearer’s nose. A swimmer may use a snorkeling/scuba mask but a snorkeler or scuba diver may not use swim goggles. Though it may sound unfair there is a very good reason for this distinction.
When dealing with snorkeling, skin diving or scuba diving, Boyle’s law of physics regarding pressure affects on air spaces. I won’t confuse you with the mathematics behind it but would rather explain it with what actually happens if swim goggles are used for these applications.
When we talk about pressure, in reality we are talking about weight. When you apply pressure to an object you are applying weight. If the object that the pressure is being applied to is compressible, it will compress. This is true of air when water pressure is applied to it. Water is 800 times denser than air and when we go below this denser environment, the weight of the water is going to affect the air spaces in both the goggles and the snorkeling and scuba mask. The deeper we go, the more weight (pressure) the water will place on these air spaces. The effect is that the goggles and masks are pushed tighter to the face. This phenomenon is called a “squeeze” which can run anywhere to mild discomfort to outright pain. An analogy would be the difference between a gentle hug and a bear hug. Now I said this pressure affects both swim goggles and snorkeling and scuba masks but I haven’t really given any concrete reason as to why goggles are not to be used when snorkeling or scuba diving.
Or have I ????
Before you stick your nose up in the air and pooh-pooh at what has already been said, I do want to point out that the reason was indirectly alluded to in the second paragraph of this article. I could let you sniff around for it or call out the bloodhounds to find the relationship but I will, instead, point your nose in the right direction.
It is the fact that snorkeling and scuba masks both enclose the nose whereas the goggles do not. Having the nose enclosed allows skin and scuba divers the ability to add air into the mask to equalize this pressure. Adding air by simply exhaling a bit through your nose will alleviate the discomfort.
Now I must admit that the mask squeeze will only affect scuba divers and skindivers (also called breath hold divers or freedivers) and not those who choose to remain solely at the surface (snorkelers). The reason for snorkeling masks rather than goggles in this instance is based again on the nose being enclosed with the mask.
Snorkelers, use a snorkel. This allows them to breathe while having their face submerged. It also keeps them from having to constantly lift their face out of the water to get another breath of air. Having the nose enclosed is a great reminder to inhale through the mouth rather than the nose. Click selection for more information on selecting the right snorkeling mask and click fit to see a short video on how to check for proper fit.
Now go out and impress all of your friends with this new-found knowledge and help spread the word far and wide. Shout it from the mountaintops and from sea to shining sea. GOGGLES ARE FOR SWIMMING (wait for echo) NOT FOR SNORKELING!
You are now free to resume your normal lives.
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