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Original poster

Specs wearers - would this be a good present or not?

45 replies

category12 · 20/12/2022 15:13

I'm thinking of buying someone an experience for Christmas, where they get the chance to scubadive in an aquarium. They really love visiting the place, so I think it would be a good present - the only qualm I have is they can't wear their glasses with a scuba mask.

How much would that detract from the experience?

OP posts:
SunnySomer · 20/12/2022 15:16

Depends how bad their eyesight is

Original poster
category12 · 20/12/2022 15:17

SunnySomer · 20/12/2022 15:16

Depends how bad their eyesight is

Yes 😂

OP posts:
livingthegoodlife · 20/12/2022 15:17

Do they wear contact lenses? If they don't then I wouldn't be able to go, I literally would not be able to see any fish & I'd be frightened. I fall over without my glasses on!

Maybe they have prescription masks they lend?

Original poster
category12 · 20/12/2022 15:18

livingthegoodlife · 20/12/2022 15:17

Do they wear contact lenses? If they don't then I wouldn't be able to go, I literally would not be able to see any fish & I'd be frightened. I fall over without my glasses on!

Maybe they have prescription masks they lend?

Are contacts alright to wear with a scuba mask? They do use them.

OP posts:
WeDontNeedToTalkAboutJamie · 20/12/2022 15:19

Depends on their eyesight. I used to scuba dive, I could just about manage 20 years ago. I don't know what my prescription was but it's deteriorated year on year so can't have been that bad.

These days with a -3 prescription I would struggle and wouldn't enjoy it much.

SalviaOfficinalis · 20/12/2022 15:20

I’m pretty sure you could wear contacts in a scuba mask. I definitely would.

WeDontNeedToTalkAboutJamie · 20/12/2022 15:20

IIRC you aren't allowed to dive with contacts in, although that might not apply in an aquarium!

hiredandsqueak · 20/12/2022 15:20

I couldn't see a thing without my specs but it depends how high their prescription is I suppose.

Original poster
category12 · 20/12/2022 15:28

Maybe it's too much of a risk they won't really enjoy it for the amount of money. 🤔

Thank you for your responses.

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 20/12/2022 15:37

Not for me but it's nothing to do with the glasses, I just really don't like fish, they give me the willies 😂

ChristmasTidyings · 20/12/2022 15:43

@WeDontNeedToTalkAboutJamie why not?
I used to dive when my eyesight was -9. I wore contacts and didn't have to do the full losing mask drill. I was allowed to let the mask half fill with water instead of completely removing it. I also made sure the dive instructor knew how bad my eyesight was and we came up with a sign for me to use if I lost a lens so he knew I couldn't see.
I bought daily disposables to wear rather than my normal ones. Changed them asap afterwards.

EspeciallyD · 20/12/2022 15:47

Depends on their prescription and what sort of contacts. You are not supposed to get water on contact lenses at all but at least if you have dailies you can chuck them as soon as you have finished. If they have monthlies as I do that isn't as easy unless they have spares or its near the end of their month. I can't do anything at all without them or glasses (my prescription is -12)

lightswitchon · 20/12/2022 15:48

I would only go if I wore contact lenses. I'm around -4 , and I couldn't manage without. Maybe if they only very slightly shortsighted, otherwise, without lenses it wouldn't be a good experience in my opinion

showgirl63 · 20/12/2022 15:51

I used to scuba dive when younger. The mask and the water provide a magnifying effect so although I needed glasses to drive for example I dived fine without

WeDontNeedToTalkAboutJamie · 20/12/2022 15:58

ChristmasTidyings · 20/12/2022 15:43

@WeDontNeedToTalkAboutJamie why not?
I used to dive when my eyesight was -9. I wore contacts and didn't have to do the full losing mask drill. I was allowed to let the mask half fill with water instead of completely removing it. I also made sure the dive instructor knew how bad my eyesight was and we came up with a sign for me to use if I lost a lens so he knew I couldn't see.
I bought daily disposables to wear rather than my normal ones. Changed them asap afterwards.

I can't remember. Something to do with water on the lens and pressure I think.

But it was 20 years ago so may well have changed.

BertieBotts · 20/12/2022 16:01

I am short sighted and wear glasses when I'm outside the house or to watch TV. If I'm at home or using a computer, I take them off. So it wouldn't matter to me to have to take them off.

You might be able to ask some questions to find out how reliant they are on their glasses?

pelargoniums · 20/12/2022 16:01

Fine for me, my prescription is mild. DP would get a migraine and die, probably.

CatastropheAgain · 20/12/2022 16:01

If they use disposable contacts, and take them out straight after the dive, then it will be fine. I scuba dive regularly and do this and have never had a problem. They should warn the instructor they are wearing them so that the instructor allows them to keep their eyes closed when doing any mask-off drills.

They should take a spare pair in case one gets lost in the water!

They shouldn't use monthlies though, only disposables because of the very small risk of infection.

If their prescription is minor then they might be fine without, but as -3 I wouldn't enjoy it much without contacts.

Scuba is so much fun so this would be a great gift!

If they got really into it you can buy prescription masks.

EspeciallyD · 20/12/2022 16:02

Oh that's another thing, my optician told me ages ago I shouldn't dive because of the pressure changes as I am at much higher risk of retinal detachment with my prescription (-12). Not sure if she meant scuba diving or diving into pools though as I don't do either.

surreygirl1987 · 20/12/2022 16:39

IIRC you aren't allowed to dive with contacts in, although that might not apply in an aquarium!

Eh? Of course you are! I've done loads of scuba diving wearing my contacts!
OP, if they wear contacts, they'll be fine. Lovely present!

WeDontNeedToTalkAboutJamie · 20/12/2022 16:42

surreygirl1987 · 20/12/2022 16:39

IIRC you aren't allowed to dive with contacts in, although that might not apply in an aquarium!

Eh? Of course you are! I've done loads of scuba diving wearing my contacts!
OP, if they wear contacts, they'll be fine. Lovely present!

Like i said it might have (obviously has) changed. My dad wasn't allowed to dive with his in.

@category12 apologies for adding potential confusion.

Afterfire · 20/12/2022 16:49

I’m -9.5 both eyes and if I couldn’t wear my glasses or contacts you could save yourself the money and give me a bowl of water with floating coloured sponges in it - it would literally look like the same thing 😳😆😆

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 20/12/2022 16:51

Yes, depends on prescription. I'm -6 and I need to wear my glasses when I swim (I don't swim often as there's no pool in my town and I'm miles from the sea Sad - I would get prescription goggles if it was worth it).

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 20/12/2022 16:53

Just to add, I was rather hoping this thread might be about an exciting new glasses-related gadget Grin

Original poster
category12 · 20/12/2022 16:54

surreygirl1987 · 20/12/2022 16:39

IIRC you aren't allowed to dive with contacts in, although that might not apply in an aquarium!

Eh? Of course you are! I've done loads of scuba diving wearing my contacts!
OP, if they wear contacts, they'll be fine. Lovely present!

Ah thanks 😁

I think I'll double-check with the Aquarium that they will allow contact wearers and go for it if so.

Thanks everyone :)

OP posts: