Swapped my Kirby Morgan for a Neptune bandmask on a 60-foot bridge job last week

I figured the lighter weight would save my neck on a long day, but the communication was way quieter and I missed the visibility of the KM. Anyone else tried both and have a preference for deep water vs. shallow current work?

2 comments

2 Comments

hall.ruby19d ago

Is it really that big of a deal for a 60 foot bridge job? I've used both on shallower stuff and never noticed that massive a difference in comfort or sound. The Neptune bandmask has its issues with the seals going bad faster too, I've seen a few guys have to swap them out more often than a KM. Plus the visibility thing is kind of a given - the KM has that big wide view, the Neptune is like looking through a keyhole sometimes. Honestly for a 60 foot job you're probably fine either way, but if you're doing it day in and out I'd stick with what you know. People get too hung up on lighter gear when the real problem is usually the neck muscles just needing to get used to it.

schmidt.grant19d ago

...neck muscles thing is probably half the battle right there. People act like switching masks is going to change their whole life when really they just need to stop cranking their head around like an owl. And the seal thing on the Neptunes is real, I've seen guys baby them and still get leaks after a season. For a 60 foot bridge job you're not exactly doing saturation diving, either mask will get you through the day without your ears bleeding.