Covid masks for swimming???

Stagiaire Fash

We could have a long discussion about why I’m making this request, but I’d rather cut to the chase: I’m looking for a Covid mask that can be worn in the water (for playing, not serious swimming). Here’s what I’ve found so far:

https://www.swimspot.com/colle.....face-masks Single-layer masks, so not very effective.

https://mask-e.rockinpool.com/ Seems like a better product, but not available in the US.

Is there something better available?

2 years ago

Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from elpgal

Anonymous

I can't imagine swimming in a mask- sounds awful to me

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

ST, i edited the OP to mention that this is for playing in the water, not serious swimming. But as mentioned above, I’d prefer not to get into discussion of why I’m looking for the thing I’m looking for.

2 years ago

Anonymous

Ok I pictured lap swimming, not recreational. These look similar to the Japanese one https://www.amazon.com/Transpa.....#038;psc=1
I wouldn't think fabric would be the best cause it would get wet.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

ST, thanks for getting on board! Those are indeed a step closer than what I found. I worry about them falling off though, because of the way they hook over the ears just on top & don’t go around.

2 years ago

SarahD8

Veteran

It's a difficult problem to solve. Materials that are effective at blocking COVID particles, such as n95 material, are less effective when wet. But truly waterproof material is not breathable. (If you are able to breathe in one of those plastic masks, the air is coming around the edges of the mask -- along with, potentially, virus particles.) If this is just for bathing/playing in the water, I think I would just wear a well fitted n95 (or similar) and tell myself that despite any reduced effectiveness from errant splashes it was probably more effective than any of the alternatives.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I never knew what the n95 refers to. It’s a particular material?

2 years ago

texasgal

Active Member

An N95 filtering facepiece respirator, commonly abbreviated N95 respirator, is a particulate-filtering facepiece respirator that meets the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) N95 classification of air filtration, meaning that it filters at least 95% of airborne particles.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Texasgal, so how would one get that protection for activities in water (think slides, inner tubes, etc)?

2 years ago

Kathie

Veteran

For those types of activities, this N95 is “fluid resistant.”

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/p/d/v000057463/

2 years ago

texasgal

Active Member

It’s fluid resistant to splashing of body fluids and would likely not stand up to pool water (might be ok if you’re talking inadvertent splashing but not immersion in water).

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

We’re talking waterpark, with lazy River, slides, wading in the wave pool, not necessarily immersion.

2 years ago

SarahD8

Veteran

So n95 masks (and similar - kf94, etc) are made of basically nonwoven polyester-like fibers. Part of the way they work is physically blocking viruses from getting through but partly they work by electrostatic charge - as I understand it, the virus particles "stick" to the fibers. That's part of why they're more effective than cloth masks. But when they get wet, that interferes with the electrostatic effect. Hopefully texasgal can jump in if I'm leading you astray here.

So, in the situation you describe, if you for example need to protect a high-risk person at the water park, I would use the fluid resistant n95, and just choose activities least likely to result in big splashes (e.g., go on the lazy river but skip the vortex tornado water slide). And take extra masks so you can change if one does get wet.

2 years ago

Joyce B

Veteran

Unless you wanted to wear a face mask and a face shield over it. If you don’t wear glasses, things will be easier because with glasses the lenses can blur.

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2 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I think lazy river and wave pools and pools would work in a mask. I think it would be very hard on the more adventurous rides where you get very wet. I would just wear a N95 or surgical mask and replace if needed during the day.

2 years ago

texasgal

Active Member

Agree with SarahD8 and Sal. Wear mask, change when wet, socially distance whenever possible. You will be outdoors which helps.

2 years ago

peppertree

Active Member

Honestly, very odd, sorry not sorry

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Sal, Sarah, Tex, that’s exactly what I’ll recommend. I don’t think the thrill is the point anyway, but splashing around and cooling off.

Peppertree, life doesn’t always go the way you plan, but that doesn’t mean we should give up trying, or fun.

2 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

If you get an N95, look up videos on fitting it
They don’t work if not air tight. For me if I wear a high pony tail or bun is needed to keep the top strap at the right location.
It’s not just slapping it on & going about your way.
We get fit tested at work, there are different sizes & styles. Fit testing involves testing if you can smell certain things under a special hood. I found out the hard way that I’m allergic to the more comfortable one (runny nose) and the other style gives me maskne (acne due to the masks). I decided to deal with maskne, given me snuffling & sniffing at work isn’t a good sign.
I’m hot and miserable in many patient rooms, so I have trouble imagining it at a water park on a hot day.
Anyways bring more than one, it should be tossed if damaged in anyway, including being wet (won’t talk about reusing PPE in the early days).

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks Anna. I’m being sloppy about actual N95s vs whatever you guys call the ones known as FPP2 over here. Carla has schooled me on the difference, but in my general life, it’s not a big deal. I should probably mention it to the would-be waterpark-goer though. Are the “serious” kind even widely available, or would we have to sign up for some kind of fitting?

2 years ago

elpgal

Veteran

Our swim instructors used to wear masks with a face-shield in the early days. Probably ok for lazy river type of thing but I wonder if they are prohibited on fast slides that end in a splash.

2 years ago

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