Had to choose between a Kirby Morgan band mask and a neck dam for cold water work in Alaska last month

I took a job on a dock up in Valdez in February and couldn't decide if I should use my Kirby Morgan 37 with a band mask or switch to a neck dam setup. My buddy Dave swore by the neck dam for colder temps but I went with the band mask because I hate dealing with fogging. First dive at 34 degrees and the neck seal leaked a little which made me second guess my choice. Anyone else run into this problem deciding for freezing conditions?

2 comments

2 Comments

wesley_hart22d ago

...and honestly I think the whole band vs neck dam thing is overblown in my experience. I was up in Dutch Harbor a few years back and went with the neck dam cause my buddy swore it was the only way to go. First dive at 28 degrees and that thing froze solid on the surface interval, took me twenty minutes to get it thawed out with hot water from the truck. Dave's a good guy but he forgets that not everyone has the same gear setup or can deal with that kind of hassle. You made the right call with the band mask, just keep a spare neck seal in your kit if you ever do switch.

mary46222d ago

Hey @wesley_hart, I gotta push back a little on the "overblown" thing. I mean, your story about the neck dam freezing solid is exactly why some people prefer bands in cold water. But I've been diving with a neck dam for years up in the PNW and never had that issue - maybe it's about getting the right fit or not letting it get too wet on the surface. That said, your buddy Dave's setup sounds like a nightmare for someone new to it. I think it's more about knowing your own gear and conditions than one being universally better. For really cold stuff, I'd take a band mask any day over fighting with a frozen neck seal.