I just picked up a fairly old Aqua-Lung mask to use on my vintage dives. This mask has a black neoprene skirt (of course), and a purge valve. What it lacks is any way to pinch one's nose for ear equalization.
It appears that the manufacturer or somebody else has glued a thick neoprene pad into the skirt just below the nostrils. I assume this could be used to block the nostrils by pushing upward on it from the outside, but it didn't seem to seal my nostrils sufficiently to be able to equalize. As I get older, I find that equalization, as other things, is becoming more difficult. I envy those who can swallow to equalize!
With the purge valve, I cannot simply push the mask to my face and blow to equalize. Was that pad put in by Aqua-Lung? Is there any other equalizing technique with this type of mask which I am missing? ANY suggestions would be helpful (other than "Sure. Send it my way and I'll see what I can do!").
Thankyou in advance.