Lost my new mask and didn't get to use it once

[ajduplessis]

If you have a reg bungied to your neck a mask doesn't fit so well there. In locations where waves will be energetic enough to wash the mask off the back of my head I wear it on my face. Otherwise, it's much more comfortable on the back of the head. And I've never lost a mask.

Strange thou as I have my backup bungied around my neck and have no issues. My backup sits high, I can drop my chin and take it with my mouth without using any hands. The chances of losing a mask around you neck is zero compare to having it on your head. At the end of the day there is no right or wrong, only what works for you.

One thing I 100% agree with is the panic diver with mask on head thing. I questioned that during my OW certification. It's just bull.

 

[The Chairman]

When you lose your mask, you lose vision.

On the surface? That's about as silly as students doing a four minute CESA from 100 ft.

If not intentional, in the water mask on the forehead in the water is very much of sign of rising discomfort because when people start going upright on the surface in water they are starting the process of getting themselves in trouble.

More shenanigans. I bet a high portion of your rescues are with people you think are in trouble, but really aren't.

I am curious where you see the mask going when people are in the process of rejecting gear.

In the water. Now, I don't seem to see as many panicked divers as you. Perhaps it's simply because I am a calming influence, or perhaps it's because you see almost every diver who has their mask on their forehead as being panicked. Whatever the reason, the few truly panicked divers I have seen were completely unreasonable. Their gear went flying every where, with little thought about whether it was secured or not. Mohammed is trying to find a mountain to climb and anything sticking out of the water looks like a mountain to him.

 

[beanojones]

On the surface? That's about as silly as students doing a four minute CESA from 100 ft.

First, thanks for dragging topics from thread to thread. That's a good way to have an adult conversation, isn't it?

Second, does losing a mask at the surface, make one magically be able to see underwater to find it?

I'll bet, if you think about it, you will find the answer to both these questions to be no.

More shenanigans. I bet a high portion of your rescues are with people you think are in trouble, but really aren't.

More shenanigans? Where was the first shenanigan? I'll bet the high portion of your whatevers are with whatevers that you think are whatevers but they are actually whatevers, because see I too could randomly make judgments about others experience instead of listening to it.

That is in fact, shenanigans. Listening to others experience is part of being aware that others did not live your life, and thus have different experiences and experience. That's why I asked you what you saw, without telling you what your life was like. You know what it is like, I don't, nor do I pretend to. That's why I asked.

Now, I don't seem to see as many panicked divers as you. Perhaps it's simply because I am a calming influence, or perhaps it's because you see almost every diver who has their mask on their forehead as being panicked. Whatever the reason, the few truly panicked divers I have seen were completely unreasonable. Their gear went flying every where, with little thought about whether it was secured or not. Mohammed is trying to find a mountain to climb and anything sticking out of the water looks like a mountain to him.

Or perhaps, I am just doing more diving with more people of all different levels and abilities around me. There are years when I do 3000 to 4000 intros. There are years when I train 600 OW divers. There are years when I guide 2000-3000 different fun divers. There are years when all 3 are mixed together.

Maybe there is some other factor than simply there are fewer numbers of divers, fewer uncertified divers, and fewer undercertified divers where you are. But I won't say the number of panicked divers around you is anything to do with you, because that's kind of silly, and frankly, offensive. Nor will I tell what your experiences are like, because I actually want to hear your experiences, and me telling you what your experiences are is the same.

You can just answer the question without trying to score internet points. I actually asked a question I wanted to hear your experiences, because I know mine. And I said mine, so you know mine. I think I can make out your answer to my question, but it seems buried in a bunch of point-scoring internet tough talk.

It does seem strange that you never see something that other people do see with enough regularity that it is in textbooks, so it really is worth hearing about if you have never seen it. But again, communication or point scoring are two different activities, and I guess you chose yours. It's a shame.

 

[tridacna]

On the surface?

Yes indeed. I'm one of the prescription dive mask crowd. I need my mask to see on the surface as well as below. I'm certain that I'm not the only one either.

 

[The Chairman]

First, thanks for dragging topics from thread to thread. That's a good way to have an adult conversation, isn't it?

I see a pattern. When I see a pattern, it's freakin' hard not to point it out.

Second, does losing a mask at the surface, make one magically be able to see underwater to find it?

Who needs to see under water to get back on the boat? It's just like when you lose your mask under water only you can still see. Of course, unlike tridacna, I don't have a vision corrected mask. If you are trained correctly, neither losing your mask under the water or on the surface should cause any panic. You might be pissed, as the OP was, that you lost your mask, but your safety should not be compromised. This is another reason you have a buddy: a redundant set of eyes.

I'll bet, if you think about it, you will find the answer to both these questions to be no.

So far, you're batting .000. Keep swinging.

I'll bet the high portion of your whatevers are with whatevers that you think are whatevers but they are actually whatevers,

You're making better sense now, but it's still all shenanigans. (Sorry, but the cheap shot was just so easy to make here )

You made some pretty bold statements, that in my seemingly scant few experiences, I have found to be absolutely false. I would never, ever try to train and/or guide that many people as I would not be able to make them all quality experiences. From your postings and how many rescues you seem to have to perform, it appears that my suspicions are supported. I'm happy only training a few at a time so I never have to rescue so many crappy divers. For me it's a matter of quality way over quantity.

 

[Peter69_56]

I'm sorry to hear of the loss, I lost a script mask once on a backroll. I held the mask not realizing the strap had flipped and away it went!

Pete

The number of times I have had my mask strap blown off when rolling in. Every time to date it has stuck to my face. Its also a prescription mask!

MAYBE I AM JUST A SUCKER

 

[Nykka]

First time poster here but I had to join this discussion...
I wear my mask on my forehead with my snorkel in my mouth during my surface swims or when putting on my fins. All the time.

 

[maniago]

First time poster here but I had to join this discussion...
I wear my mask on my forehead with my snorkel in my mouth during my surface swims or when putting on my fins. All the time.

Are you crazy? Not for doing what you do, but by saying so. People on this forum are merciless for no reason except they can. You should see some of the other threads currently going...sheesh..

 

[The Chairman]

Nah, people on ScubaBoard aren't merciless... just opinionated. I kinda like that.

 

[kelemvor]

I drop it down below my chin, even with the necklace secondary it's not a problem. It only took me two or three dives to get used to it. In fact, when I'm on a boat, I usually go ahead and stick it around my neck right when I get on. That way I can't lose it, sit on it, put a tank on it etc. People think I'm a little goofy for wearing it so early but I don't really care.

For what it's worth, in OW class the instructor told us we were not to do it because we could lose the mask and ruin a dive. He mentioned he had heard about it being a sign of distress but he'd never seen a distressed diver put the mask on their forehead.

I'm also fortunate that the mask at my LDS that fit me best was only $20. I bought several. I carry a spare in my hip pocket when diving. It fits in there nicely with the whistle, sausage, and backup light. I feel bad for you guys who had to go with a $100 (or more) mask! :tongue2: