Full face snorkel masks might be the common thread amongst an increasing number of drowning deaths in Hawai’i.  

The alarm was sounded on full-face snorkeling masks in 2017, when a woman waded into calm waters off the coast of Hawai’i, eager to try her new full-face snorkeling mask. Less than an hour later, her body was pulled from the ocean. She was spotted by a surfer, floating on her back with her full-face mask partially pulled over her nose. After receiving the coroner’s report, her grieving husband came to suspect the full-face snorkeling mask caused her death.  

Due to their full-face design, these masks tend to advertise a sense of safety to those who are uncomfortable with the possibility of accidentally inhaling water through a traditional snorkeling mouthpiece. But researchers have hypothesized that the full-face design actually makes drowning more likely. Some possible reasons include inadequate oxygen circulation, over-pressurized breathing mechanisms, difficulty removing the masks, and simple leakage in the seal between the mask and the face.   

A 2022 snorkel safety study tested ten full-face snorkel masks and found that none worked as advertised. These masks generally advertise separate air passageways for inhaling and exhaling. But in all ten masks, tests showed roughly equal amounts of inhale and exhale gases flowing through both passageways. In addition, in these full-face snorkel masks, the amount of force needed to inhale increases sharply with the intrusion of water. Intrusion of water is likely, given the lack of customization of the mask’s seal with the snorkeler’s face. 

Full face snorkel masks arrived on the market in 2014 and have only gained popularity. In the four years between 2014 to 2019, snorkeling-related deaths in Hawai’i nearly doubled. At least one Hawai’i snorkeling outfit has banned full-face snorkeling masks. “When [full face snorkel masks] came out, intuition and instinct told me that this was a bad idea,” said the owner of Snorkel Bob’s.  

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed while using a full-face snorkeling mask, you should reach out to knowledgeable personal injury attorneys immediately. Danko Meredith staff are standing by to take your call: 650-453-3600. 

Danko Meredith has a long history of getting justice for the families of wrongful death victims and injured individuals. With offices in California and on Maui, and attorneys licensed in both states, we are uniquely positioned to help visitors who suffer injuries during their stay.