Yelled at for MOF

[AfterDark]

You obviously like living on the edge.

LOL, No, I just go my own way. One of the reasons I'm not a fit teacher.

 

[lowflyer]

"Actually PADI teaches that "Mask on forehead" is a sign of a panicked diver not a tired diver (Page 51 Rescue Diver Manual, published 2011). Mask on forehead rules are also passed down to basic certification levels as 'never do that' because it is 'symbolic' of panic. I was taught (NAUI) to pull the mask down around the neck. This prevented it being washed away if hit by a wave. FWIW, the Vintage Scuba Club, must have their ID picture taken with double hose mouthpiece around their neck and mask on their forehead just like Mike Nelson.[/QUOTE]

Actually on page 51 it say that, "panicked divers tend to reject their gear, pushing their masks off or onto their foreheads..." Then it lists other signs of panic that go along with this.

But on page 50, rejecting equipment is the fourth sign listed that MAY indicate a diver has a "problem on the surface."

Nowhere is the manual saying that MOF alone should spark the kind of response the OP encountered.

 

[TMHeimer]

There are multiple clues as to whether a diver is in distress. A mask placed carefully on the forehead is not one of them.

However, a mask on the forehead, in the water, is a sign that the diver is not comfortable wearing one, renders the diver vulnerable to wave splash, means they are not ready to dive, they cannot see to adjust their or their buddy's equipment if it is below the surface, makes fogging worse, and makes it easier to lose the mask. So it should be discouraged. When teaching I would discourage it by explaining all these points. I found that worked better than shouting. However, it seems that some instructors get off on imagining they are in a scene from Full Metal Jacket.

Good points, but does not address that walking out of the water to shore (or into the water) over slippery algae/seaweed covered rocks is safer with MOF because you have better peripheral vision and no fogging at all. And it can't be lost if you can see the bottom. I know that's splitting hairs, but putting it on the forehead is the easiest thing to do. If you do fall, you get exposed face in the water--so what. Gets back to not putting MOF in situations where it can be lost. But this thread was started because someone in a pool was yelled at, so we're talking about no MOF at any time.
I don't at all think MOF in water of any depth is necessarily a signal that a diver is uncomfortable wearing one, though that may be the case on occasion.

 

[luscioman]

What is the proper way to store this?

 

[dmaziuk]

I thought about this thread today when I put my swim goggles on my forehead when getting out of the pool. Good thing there was no lifeguard around to yell at me.

Sshhh! Lifeguards might hear you and then we'll both be in trouble! I'll be in real trouble: I usually start with a lap underwater in zoomers, then I grab the kickboard, push my G O the F and do a 600-1000 yd alternating kicks. That's a lot of yelling and saving.

 

[JohnnyC]

What is the proper way to store this?

View attachment 428816

In the bag in the closet unless you're getting paid to wear one.

 

[brtlmj]

Obviously, I am in distress.

 

[wheeledgoat]

found this picture today, and had to come back to this thread to share. don't know who these blokes are - pic is on a quarry website. quick, somebody HELP!!!! lmao

as an interesting aside, when i was looking for this thread, searching "MOF" didn't get me immediate results. i thought for a moment, and searched "antagonist" which got me here directly.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

... those two fellows totally look like they're freaking out ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[drbill]

I'll be damned if I will let anyone tell me where my mask should be... MY ocean (kind of), my rules! If my mask falls off, my problem. Of course I never put my mask on forehead... after a dive I just keep it on until I go to bed.