Barracuda Suction Seal Goggles

With a suction seal goggle, the goggle shape must allow the sponge or flange to be pushed into the skin.  The basic suction principle then takes over.  Since a suction goggle only matches the face partially, the facial tissue must be pulled to the goggle to complete the seal.  The facial tissue is attracted to the goggle with negative pressure, suction.  There is very little tissue to move near the inner corner of the eye, so if the goggle doesn't match fairly closely with the general eye socket shape at this point, it won't develop a suction.  This general shape of the eye socket has been described by some as round or oval.  If the area has a narrow, rather acute angle around the inner corner of the eye it's described as oval.  If the angle is broad it is generally described as round.  After checking this area of the goggle frame has to be wide enough to cover the depression outside the outer corner.  At this point, a soft sponge or flange must at least be close to the skin all around the periphery of the goggle.  By compressing the sponge and pushing in on the frame, air is pushed from beneath the goggle creating the necessary negative pressure to keep the tissue pulled against the frame.  This is why coaches have told swimmers for years that for a goggle to work it has to stick to their face with suction.