Become a Full Face Mask Diving Specialist

Age, Depth, and Prerequisite Certification

There are minimum age requirements and maximum depth limits for all the specialties that require scuba training dives in open water.

As a result, before you can enrol in the PADI FFM Diver Specialty course you will need to be (all):

• At least twelve (12) years old.
• Already certified as (either):
  • PADI Open Water Diver or have an equivalent entry-level certification (e.g. from one of the recognised and approved qualifying dive agency crossovers)

Number of Days: One (1) Day (minimum)

Open Water Training Dives: Two (2)

Maximum Depth: Depends on age and certification level

Important: Even though scuba certifications do not expire, we recommend taking the PADI ReActivate® refresher course if you have been inactive from diving for a while (e.g. longer than six months).

Why Become Full Face Mask Diver Specialist?

The main advantage of wearing a face mask is that it covers the entire face of a diver. So, it provides an integrated system for breathing through (i.e. both the nose and the mouth).

It includes a regulator and a clear viewing window, often used for cold water diving, contaminated water environments, or by professionals (e.g. working divers), especially public safety divers.

Other benefits for using full-face masks when scuba diving, include:

• Extra comfort and warmth around the front part of the head.
• Enhanced field of vision and better communication underwater. In fact, some models support underwater communication systems.
• Reduced jaw fatigue because there's no need to bite down on a regulator mouthpiece.

It's important to understand that the techniques and procedures used when diving with full-face masks may vary when entering and exiting different dive sites.

Digital Learning Programs for Self-Study

In general, it is much easier for divers with a busy schedule to choose the online learning option to start scuba lessons.

Being able to complete the independent study portion of a multiple day course offers you some flexibility and convenience.

As long as you have a computer or a mobile device, you will be able to study the knowledge development portion at your own pace (online or offline).

Signing Up for PADI eLearning™

You can complete some self-study assignments online with eLearning®. Then, you would need to contact the dive shop to perform any required scuba training dives with a PADI Instructor.

PADI Full Face Mask Diver: What Skills Will You Learn?

You need to participate in the instructor-led knowledge development sessions by completing all knowledge reviews from the Full Face Mask (FFM) Diver student manual.

Here's why...

Of course, you will learn how to enter and exit the water in a safe and effective manner while wearing the appropriate scuba gear.

Besides that, the practical in-water training and situational experiences will help you learn about:

• Equipment familiarisation and technical skills.
• The features, benefits, and maintenance of full-face masks.
• Proper fitting, donning (putting on), and removing the mask.
• Clearing the mask of water while underwater.
• Switching between a standard mask and a full-face mask during a dive.
• Buoyancy control adjustments due to different air space dynamics.
• Safety Procedures, including handling emergency scenarios unique to full-face mask diving.
• Communication techniques (including optional integration of underwater communication systems).

Note: Did you successfully complete the elective dive from the Adventures in Diving Program? If so, an instructor may count it as being the first training dive of the certification requirements in this particular specialty course.

Dive Gear and Specialist Equipment

You will need to be wearing standardised scuba gear for the two open water training dives. Other specialist diving equipment that you may use, includes:

• Dive flag and float (e.g. diver down flag)
• Drysuits for scuba diving in cold water
• Surface signaling devices or inflatable signal tube (e.g. safety sausage, surface marker buoy)
• Underwater Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV)
• Underwater navigation tools (e.g. compass, nav-finder)
• Waterproof cameras and underwater photography equipment

FAQ Section and Medical Questionnaire Form

Can a Certified Full Face Diver Diver Dive Alone?

The scuba diving buddy system is a safety rule that pairs two or more divers together. Moreover, the group should also perform the standardised pre-dive safety checks (BWRAF) before entering the water.

Nonetheless, PADI does consent to a kind of 'solo diving' through the Self-Reliant Diver certification course, which is available in Pattaya, Thailand.

Can I Touch the Underwater Organisms?

Divers share a common responsibility to protect and conserve nature. As a result, passive interaction with aquatic animals helps to safeguard the habitats of delicate and sensitive sea life.

What Should I Not Do after Scuba Diving in Cold Water?

After cleaning the gear, there are several kinds of activities that divers should avoid doing after using scuba equipment, including:

• Exercising
• Flying in a plane (or traveling to higher altitudes)
• Having a deep tissue massage, hot bath, or hot shower
• Drinking alcohol
• Forgetting to log the dives

When Should You Do a Scuba Refresher?

Suppose you don't go diving for more than six months. There is a simple way to refresh the knowledge and skills that you already learned.

After a long period of inactivity, taking the PADI ReActivate® program will help you brush up on the safety procedures and scuba diving fundamentals.

Medical Requirements: Free Download

You must be in good physical and mental health and be medically fit for recreational scuba diving. You can review the Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire Online to check whether you need to be evaluated by a physician.

It is not appropriate to ask dive staff (e.g. divemasters, instructors) for medical advice or clearance to go diving. Instead, you can contact the Divers Alert Network (DAN) if you have questions about your medical fitness to dive.

Price for PADI Full Face Mask Diver Specialty Course in Thailand 9,900 THB*

We have qualified instructors and expert dive guides who can teach in several languages, including English, Thai, and Chinese.

The price includes (all):

Professional tuition from a "Private Scuba" Instructor

Free rental of required diving equipment (including a dive computer)

PADI Full Face Mask Diving Specialty Manual and Certification Card

Hotel transfers within City limits

Important: You will usually be making two (2) scuba training dives in the same day. The PADI flying after diving guidelines say you need to wait a minimum of eighteen (18) hours after the second dive before you go to altitude. Please send us an email if you need further information.

Knowledge Base for Full Face Mask Divers

Most of the information and advice in this page focuses on scuba diving activities conducted from different types of watercraft in Thailand.

Scuba Diving Help Guides

• PADI Flying after Diving Rules: Avoid Going to Altitude
• PADI Rescue Diver Emergency Action Plan Example (EAP)
• Scuba Diving Hand Signals PADI PDF Free Download

We also have a list of blog articles about snorkeling which relate to popular boating adventures, especially for beginners.

What Comes after the Full Face Mask Diver Course?

This type of diving is popular with some divers because of the unique underwater communication options that it offers.

The course links to other scuba certifications, including many of the popular Specialty Courses offered by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).

Even so, the PADI® Full Face Mask Diver course combines well with several other specialty courses such as, Fish Identification, Nitrox Diver, Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (DSMB) Diver, Multilevel Diver, and Search and Recovery Diver.

Note: All course prices for diving are subject to change and assume that all prerequisites have been met to start the training. Click here to contact the team at Private Scuba in Thailand to make a booking or send an enquiry.