Water in my mask

[fnfalman]

Assuming that the mask is of the proper size, I'd say just blow real hard out of the nose. However, there will always be a bit of water leaked in the mask and said water tends to gather around the nose pocket. It used to bug the heck out of me, nowadays I don't even notice it any more. Practice and exposure.

 

[DevonDiver]

Assuming that the mask is of the proper size, I'd say just blow real hard out of the nose.

The problem with phrasing it like this is that many novice divers will believe that they should aim for a short, sharp 'blast' exhalation (like clearing a snorkel).

Blast exhalation from the nose is a very ineffective way of clearing the mask. If it is too forceful, then you just drive the air through the water and out of the bottom of the mask.

The air will come out of your nose just fine, so there really is zero requirement for any force or "real hard" effort needed with the blow.

Divers should aim for a smooth, slightly prolonged and gentle exhalation from the nose, that slowly displaces the water out of the bottom of the mask.

It takes me about 5-6 seconds of exhalation to clear my mask. I see student divers attempt to do it in 1-2 seconds and it doesn't work for them.

 

[Hickdive]

Yep, bottom line is to start your exhale through the nose prior to lifting the mask...keep exhaling until the mask is back in place.

Good luck!
Skarn

Don't lift the mask. Gentle pressure on the top edge is sufficient to cause the water to be displaced past the bottom skirt without lifting it from your face.

Lifting the mask results in that pesky bit of water you can't seem to clear. But that isn't water you couldn't clear, instead its water you trapped when you lowered the mask back onto your face after finishing the blow.

 

[dburg30]

Greetings Mikey I was once one of the worst nose breathers around!
I beat it by wearing my mask at home, in the shower, flooded and half flooded till it was no big deal anymore.
I have also witnessed success using a snorkel and no mask in the pool in the shallow side just letting your brain adjust to having water in your nose and not breathing in.
It takes a while to re-train your brain but it can and will be overcome.
Soon you will be clearing with the best of them, no worries!

Be positive and you will kick this issue in the rear!
CamG Keep diving....Keep training....Keep learning!

I had to do this. I wound up with goggles and a snorkel and in my brothers pool just 'snorkeled' with GOGGLES and snorkel for hours it seemed like. As I got more comfortable, would also dive to the bottom of the pool and come up and blast clear the snorkel and continue on without ever taking my head out of the water. It's 2nd nature now. Water in the nose was my biggest hurdle, once I overcame that at the ripe ole age of 42 I know the c-card was mine. And also how much fun I've missed out on in pools since I always had to have nose plugs etc..

Let the water in from the top slowly. You can slowly breath out of your nose while flooding it to prevent water going up your nose.

Great idea for learning. Once it becomes 2nd nature, and you get comfortable, practice 'ripping' the mask off, because, let's admit it, if it happens underwater from a kick to the face or whatever, it's not going to be nice and slow and controlled.. So slow for practice to get used to it, then fast and furious to practice once you are ready.

 

[mikey6879]

thanks guys for all the comments.

I have been able to have plenty of practice at it and i have now mastered this skill.
Thanks for all advice.

Michael

 

[Thalassamania]

This is going to sound silly, but it works in many cases. You need to learn to breathe through your nose or mouth at will. Without a mask take a breath and submerge your face, then alternately exhale from your nose and your mouth. Do this a dozen or so times.

 

[Teamcasa]

thanks guys for all the comments.

I have been able to have plenty of practice at it and i have now mastered this skill.
Thanks for all advice.

Michael

Thanks for the update. I'll just add a thought for the new divers having similar issues.

Think of your mask like a bowl siting on the counter. In the bottom of the bowl is a little water. You only need to tilt the bowl a little bit to get the water moving towards the edge and a just a fraction more to empty it. The is no need to flip the bowl all the way up to empty it.

Second, the water in your mask will exit by using a slow, even exhalation of air. You simply do not need a large blast of air, just an even, controlled amount of air will do nicely.

To learn how to keep water out of your nose? Practice this in a pool. Swim on your back and tilt your head further back while blowing air out your nose. Once you realize just how little air you need to blow out the keep the water out, you will never get water up your nose again.

 

[function12]

To learn how to keep water out of your nose? Practice this in a pool. Swim on your back and tilt your head further back while blowing air out your nose. Once you realize just how little air you need to blow out the keep the water out, you will never get water up your nose again.

Underwater back flips can make this a fun task too.

 

[Teamcasa]

Underwater back flips can make this a fun task too.

True enough!