Had to pick between a Kirby Morgan hat and a full face mask for a salvage job in the Detroit River
We were pulling up old steel beams from a collapsed dock. Visibility was maybe 2 feet, water temp around 38 degrees. Boss gave me the choice: use the shop's standard Kirby Morgan 17 helmet or try a new full face mask he just got. The mask was lighter, less gear on my head. But I went with the KM. Felt more solid, better comms, and I knew the bailout was right there. That choice paid off when my umbilical snagged on rebar. Had to stay calm, talk to topside, and work it loose. The comms were crystal clear the whole time. If I'd been in that mask, I think I would've felt more cut off. Anyone else had to make a gear call in bad vis? What did you go with?