Downunder. I'm not involved in scuba instructions or teaching and don't really know how that subject is approached by the people doing it. Something like the Easybreath Snorkeling Mask could be useful at some stages for some people.
I do agree with you that there is no substitute for the basics.
That mask needs to be very well made to be effective. People don't all have the same shape faces. I just see the hassle that I have to find a good freediving mask to fit my face. The commercial divers hats like the Kirby
Morgan 37 got an insert that fits over your nose and mouth. Those hats are expensive and very well made. The nose and mouth piece in
diving hats hardly ever fits properly and you still have to use the flush valve to get rid of the CO2 build up.
Easybreath Snorkeling Mask just sounds like an expensive piece of
equipment that will hopefully tide you over till you sort the problem out.