Can I Scuba/Snorkel With Contact Lenses?

[Krav69]

I'm thinking about doing both scuba and snorkeling on a vacation here this summer, and it suddenly dawned on me that I've never swam with my contact lenses in my eyes.

They are soft lenses, removable on a daily basis.

What the heck happens when one swims with these lenses? Do they just float on outta my eyes?

I'd hate to go to all these cool places and scuba/snorkel and not be able to see clearly.

Any advice from you ecclectic 'Hide members?

 

[bigdaddydmd]

Re: Can I Scuba/Snorkel With Contact Lenses?

I have worn soft contacts for almost 20 years and have been an avid diver and snorkler. I have never had any issues either way. As long as you have a proper fitting mask you shouldn't have any issues. Even doing underwater mask purge drills I never had any issues with losing a contact. Pack an extra set of contacts and your saline for post dive. The diving isn't the problem, it getting salt spry in your eyes while traveling to and from your dive site. That can make your eyes sting a bit and flushing with saline clears it right up. If it is real bad switch to your backup contacts prior to the dive. Best of luck and enjoy your dive.

 

[Keyser Söze]

Re: Can I Scuba/Snorkel With Contact Lenses?

Won't you be wearing goggles while you scuba/snorkle?

 

[2shoot1kill]

Re: Can I Scuba/Snorkel With Contact Lenses?

I use contacts with no problem. I also use

http://www.hydrooptix.com/ps_35dd_overview.html

They are great because you get much wider field of view and you don't need contacts with this google. WHen you are underwater everything is sharp on the surface you need to use these clip on lens that comes with it.

 

[Wolvenhaven]

Re: Can I Scuba/Snorkel With Contact Lenses?

I've been diving for years with mine and like the other guys have said, just bring saline and you'll be fine. If you plan to dive a lot, bring a saline nasal spray and drink a LOT of water and if you've got a bit of spare cash, get a SCUDA, it's a hydration bladder for drinking; the air coming out of the cylinder is 0% humidity and it dries you out FAST, which is very uncomfortable on long dives.

 

[Redmanss]

Re: Can I Scuba/Snorkel With Contact Lenses?

I wear the gas permeable contacts and went diving a lot with them. Just keep your eyes closed if you have to clear your mask, just in case, as they will either float off your eyes in water or can also trap salt water in your eyes if they don't. I never had any problems with mine, but they don't dry out nearly as bad as my soft did (never dove with them).

Eye drops/solution and a spare pair are a must have.

 

[akmike]

Re: Can I Scuba/Snorkel With Contact Lenses?

Just to reiterate what the other guys said, you'll be fine if you follow the instructions. When I got certified one of the lady's in the class didn't listen and had her eyes open when purging her mask, lost a contact in the pool. The instructor turned it into a search and rescue mission and one of the guys in the class actually found the lens. The only time I wear contacts is when diving.

 

[ZLBubba]

Re: Can I Scuba/Snorkel With Contact Lenses?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Redmanss</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wear the gas permeable contacts and went diving a lot with them. Just keep your eyes closed if you have to clear your mask, just in case, as they will either float off your eyes in water or can also trap salt water in your eyes if they don't. I never had any problems with mine, but they don't dry out nearly as bad as my soft did (never dove with them).

Eye drops/solution and a spare pair are a must have. </div></div>

My wife and I dive often and she wears her soft contacts without any issues. As Redman stated above, the biggest issue is when you have to clear your mask underwater. Other than that, SCUBA is as addicting as shooting, so be prepared for another expensive but rewarding hobby!