Spitting into Mask

**Scuba Mama** · 09-08-2006, 04:35 PM

I have seen many of you and myself in a pinch will spit into my mask to defog the mask. Where I differ, if I am on a boat I do not use the rinse bucket. Even if I am the first one to use it. I prefer to use the hose if provided or I will rinse the mask in the ocean. The reason, the eyes are an open gate way for infection and the thought of rinsing my mask where several other people spit just grosses me out. I can't subject myself to this.

I would like to hear from others divers on the spit and rinse.

**glynneco** · 09-08-2006, 07:54 PM

I don't hesitate to throw my mask in the bucket but I always use a "spray on" commercial mask deffoger. They have alcohol and I assume that is sufficient as a cleansing agent. Some one out there will now disabuse of my belief. As of now ignorance is bliss and I am a happy man!

**dalehall** · 02-24-2007, 01:37 PM

I'm just going back and reading some of the posts that were..umm, posted before I found this site.

The thought other people's spit has never crossed my mind before. Now it has. Dang.

**MgicTwnger** · 02-24-2007, 04:14 PM

I spit and rinse over the side or with a hose. I find that drinking a coke before spitting gives me a nice, colorful hocker that impresses everyone no end.

**glynneco** · 02-24-2007, 06:40 PM

Coke cleans battery terminals quite nicely so why not masks?

**MgicTwnger** · 02-24-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glynneco

Coke cleans battery terminals quite nicely so why not masks?

Another deep thinker!

**dalehall** · 02-24-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MgicTwnger

I spit and rinse over the side or with a hose. I find that drinking a coke before spitting gives me a nice, colorful hocker that impresses everyone no end.

LOL!!!!!!!

**Resqdivemedic** · 02-26-2007, 04:47 AM

Never considered the spit/rinse bucket issue. I deal with infection control issues on a daily basis and wear eye protection as needed. The eyes, nose, and mouth are great routes for infectious agents to enter the body. I will not be using the rinse bucket again. Also, I dont think the alcohol content in the commercial mask defoggers is high enough to "disinfect" or clean a mask to prevent the spread of disease.

**Kev Martin** · 02-27-2007, 02:05 PM

Darn,

My old instructor in the Navy always taught me that "the greener, the cleaner!!" I will now have to have a complete rethink.

**glynneco** · 02-27-2007, 04:13 PM

I just don't know how much to worry about this in the scheme of things. Are we developing OCD and all turning into Monk the TV detective? Has anyone ever heard of someone getting sick by using the rinse bucket? Aren't you more likeky to gett ill from something you eat on a dive trip? Or being in an aoto accident on the way to the dive site? Or using rental gear for that matter? Now I'm staring at my keyboard.... I have to go wash my hands. Any have any wipes? Purell?