DESCO Masks

The DESCO Diving Mask series was first developed starting with the U.S. Navy Mask during WWII. Other adaptations followed in succeeding years.

We currently offer the mask in two versions, the Commercial, and the Pool Mask. Below are descriptions of each mask. Light Blue text is excerpted from various DESCO catalogs. Photos are from DESCO files. When material originated from other sources it is noted.

Care & maintenance instructions for all DESCO masks are available on the Downloads Page.

Current DESCO Masks Parts for DESCO Masks Communications for the DESCO Mask Discontinued DESCO Masks

Currently available DESCO Masks:

DESCO Diving Masks

These masks have been used for many years by divers working in shallow and uncontaminated water. They are made of natural, compression-molded rubber permanently bonded to a rigid brass frame. The result is a rugged piece of equipment of low volume which permits the diver to work In very confined quarters. The head-harness with its five straps and brass, quick release buckles, can be adjusted to make a comfortable and effective seal against the divers face regardless of facial conformation. When so adjusted, it holds the mask firmly in place so as to minimize any risk at accidental dislodgement. The quick-release buckles, however, allow the mask to be easily and quickly removed.

DESCO Pool Cleaning Mask

Cat. No.59069-A

This is a simplified version of the Commercial Free Flow Mask which omits the air-control valve so that air is fed directly into the mask through a non-return valve and a brass elbow.

DESCO Commercial Free Flow Mask

Cat. No. 59069-C

Air is delivered to the mask through a non return valve and an air -control valve mounted on the right side of the mask, and is directed inside the mask so as to defog the faceplate. It is exhausted on the left side of the mask through a rubber-disc one-way exhaust valve.

Parts for the DESCO Masks:

DESCO offers repair kits for the Commercial and Pool Masks. We also continue too offer a repair kit for the DVM Mask even though it is out of production.

One question we often get is "Can I change the rubber skirt on the mask frame?" The answer is no. When the masks are made the rubber is molded to the Brass frame permanently. If the skirt is damaged or deteriorated the whole frame must be replaced. DESCO sells the replacement frame with the window installed ready for the parts to be transferred from the old mask. The window is crimped into the frame so it is not removable. The replacement frame is approximately 1/3 the cost of a new mask.

Communications for the DESCO Mask

The communications system for the DESCO consists of a 2" Mylar speaker mounted to the window in front of the diver's mouth. A pair of binding posts penetrate the window for attachment of the earphone and umbilical comm line. Early masks had the mic speaker encased in a aluminum housing. Later masks used a extension solvent welded to the window to recess the mic speaker. Browne Masks Communications can be factory installed in new masks. No communications retrofits for older masks is offered. Parts can also be ordered ala carte from the exploded view.

Discontinued DESCO Masks:

U.S. Navy Diving Mask

This is the mask that started it all. The Navy needed a lightweight utility mask for jobs where heavy gear wasn't necessary or practical. DESCO developed the Browne Mask to meet this need. It was also the basis for a diving outfit. The unique feature of the USN Mask was 3 way valve attached to the breather bag. The bag was intended to reduce air demand and ease breathing. It didn't function as well as hoped and eventually fell out of use. DESCO even stocked a cap to block the bag port.

U.S. Navy Free-Flow Diving Mask

Cat No. 59069

The standard Navy mask. Air is fed through a non-return valve, and a three-way inhale valve which permits use of an optional breather bag assembly (see Cat. No. 59022.)

Air is exhausted on the left side of the mask through a rubber-disc exhaust valve.

U.S. Navy Diving Outfit

Cat. No. 59067

The standard U.S. Navy Mask (Cat. No. 59069) complete with breather bag and Desco (sic) light weight canvas belt. The breather bag provide a reservoir of air which permits easier breathing under conditions where air supply is insufficient or delivery pressure is intermittent.

Download The Browne U.S. Navy Type Diving Outfit Instructions in .pdf format Note: These instructions are offered for educational purposes only and not intended for training, or equipment maintenance.

DESCO CONVERSION MASK

Catalog No. DCM 1

The famous DESCO U.S. Navy type full face mask is now available to those who would like to convert their mouthpiece units to full face mask units. Suitable valves are installed on either side of the mask which has a Brass frame, molded rubber, plexiglass window, and quick release adjustable headstraps.

Pulmonary Mask

Cat. No. 59069-M

The Pulmonary Mask was a response to a need in the medical field. It never appeared in a DESCO catalog but a flyer was produced.

Battelle Mask

The Battelle Mask never made general production so no literature was produced. The Battelle Mask featured a snorkel tube running up the left side of the mask terminating in an exhaust valve. The article below is from a Battelle produced magazine.

DESCO DVM Masks

Note: DESCO no longer offers a demand mask.

The first DESCO DVM to appear in the catalog had the cat. number DVM2. We are unsure as to the designation DVM 2. Most likely it is due to the DVM mask being stand alone from the Dolphin Lung.

First DVM Offered by DESCO

THE DESCO MASK WITH DEMAND VALVE

Catalog No. DVM2

This integral part of the Dolphin Lung is offered as a separate unit in order to give a versatility never before offered to the shallow water diver. With this combination of DESCO full face mask and chromed demand valve, both self contained and surface air supply diving is now made practical using the same piece of equipment. It can be used with a small, portable compressor exactly as the DESCO U.S. navy type shallow water mask or combining it with one of the Dolphin lung cylinder arrangements, it becomes a fine, automatic compressed air type lung. The demand valve is mounted on the mask in a position that affords breathing ease no matter what position the diver may be working in. It is designed to work at a pressure of 60 psi therefore requiring a pressure regulator if used with an air supply greater than that setting.

Second DVM Offered by DESCO

DESCO MASK WITH DEMAND VALVE

Catalog No. DVM

The DESCO full face mask with demand valve is made available to those who especially want a piece of equipment that can be used in several ways. The unit as it stands can be used as a full face mask with surface feed air from either a large or small air compressor. In this way it will be similar to the DESCO mask used by the Navy. If it is to be used with regular compressed air bottles, it is important that a pressure regulator adjusted to 60 pounds be used, if a greater amount of pressure is to flow through the demand valve.

This demand valve incorporated a snorkel device for swimming on the surface. The snorkel had a valve on the top which was closed manually before submerging. One photo shows a unit without the snorkel. We don't know if it is an early or late version.

Last DVM Offered by DESCO

DESCO Demand-Regulator Mask

Cat. No. 59500

The basic mask and head-harness are the. same as used on the Commercial Free- Flow Mask.

A rugged second stage regulator is, however, permanently attached to the right side of the mask.

An air control valve is mounted on the stem of the regulator. When opened, this valve converts the mask into a standard free-flow mask. When closed, air is available to the diver, on demand, through the regulator. This improves communications by minimizing exhaust noise and also permits the diver to breathe comfortably at very low delivered air pressures.

In order to avoid undesirable CO2 build up, the mask should not, however, be used in demand mode for excessive periods of time, especially under heavy work-load conditions When so used it should periodically be ventilated by opening the air control valve.

The mask comes equipped with a non-return valve.

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