USMC Recon Divers Test New Full Facemasks

Here's a little motivation for your day, courtesy of the Corps. Click on the image and enlarge the photo to get a close-up of the new gear.

Combatant divers from 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, received hands-on training on recently issued Combat Divers Full Facemask at the dive locker here March 9.

The CDFFM is designed to improve safety and airflow to combatant divers,according to Senior Chief Petty Officer Juan M. Perdomo, the command master diver and dive officer of the unit.

Perdomo taught a class on the new mask. Following the class, the reconnaissance Marines tested the new gear at the Camp Schwab Aquatic Center.

“There are many major advantages the new mask has over the previous mask,” said Perdomo. “If a diver goes unconscious while submerged, he will not drown because air will continue to flow into the mask.”

During the test run of the CDFFM, divers paired into buddy teams and conducted several exercises while submerged in the pool. One of the main features the new mask is underwater voice communication via radio.

This recent implementation is being conducted across the Marine Corps and all combatant divers will receive this training, said Perdomo.

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