Bad Habit, Exhale Throughout Nose, Leaking Mask

[dmaziuk]

I breathe out through the nose most of the time and have no leaks in the mask that fits. I had leaks in other masks & I'm fairly certain that the answer is: try a different mask.

 

[TMHeimer]

I THINK I exhale a tiny bit very infrequently through the nose which MAY cause a bit of water to enter the mask-not sure.
I think it's just mind over matter. Maybe practising on land mouth breathing with absolutely no air escaping from the nose (blocking off the glottis thingy)--then transferring that to diving?

 

[Biking4ever]

so what's the frequency of the nose breathing? Occasionally or all the time? I breath out the nose frequently but it's mostly to prevent mask squeeze and drain the mask. A nose clip seems like a real annoyance

thanx for your replays,
well I exhale out I'd say every breath, so ya, v.often. I'm wondering than your mask won't build a pressure allowing water to go in for you? How is that going? Plus fogging,
So if it is not bad habit I like that because this is helping me to slow breath but leaking mask issue takes all the benefits away.
Cheers
B4e

 

[Biking4ever]

A nose clip will result in a mask squeeze.

I was trying a nose clip on the surface after buying it, well I can force air to go out using a bigger pressure but it will go eventually, but than again that will put a lot of pressure into my ears, won't it?
B4e

 

[Biking4ever]

I breathe out through my nose all the time. My mask only leaks if it is too loose. Once I tighten the strap 1 notch the leak goes away.

Yes, that is it. I observed last dive with wearing the hood my mask did not leak. I did not pay attention but because it was too hot the next dive no hood and leak. I did not adjust the mask strips, I guess too lose. When I do adjust it I get a pressure on a face, I wish that could be measured some how and say 10lb/ft that what you do, hahah.
B4e

 

[TMHeimer]

No fogging --ever-- regardless of nose exhales if you wipe baby shampoo on inside of lenses.

 

[Colliam7]

I have developed a habit of exhaling out my nose and I'm getting my mask leak v.often. . . . . How to retrain if I'm natural nose breather (on the surface) ? Would using a nose clip help me?

My reply may seem to be a slight bit at variance with those of several other respondents, very experienced divers whose opinions I hold in high regard. Nonetheless, I have definite opinions on nose-breathing, and the need to develop effective breathing control for diving.

First, you are not at all alone, as a surface nose-breather. The vast majority of people who walk the earth fall into that category. Physiologically, it makes good sense. Air filtration - specifically removal of particulate matter - is MUCH more effective through the nose. Only when demand for air exceeds the supply achievable through the nose - e.g. during strenuous physical exertion - does the body shift to mouth breathing (e.g. panting) under normal circumstances. Plus, in many cases it (nose-breathing) is also an encouraged practice. As a young person I was periodically confronted by my mother, when I was NOT nose-breathing, who pointed out that, 'walking around with your mouth hanging open makes you look stupid'. She may have failed to appreciate the (many) other things that made me look stupid (and, possibly, still do). But, her point was to breathe through my nose, not my mouth.

Second, one of the primary points I make to students divers, early on in their training, is that they MUST develop breathing control to the degree that they breathe entirely (inhalation and exhalation) through their mouth, EXCEPT when they need / want to use their nose for specific functions (e.g. clearing a mask) - IOW under conditions where they actively elect to exhale through their nose. I point out that this represents a significant change in what they have been doing on the surface (since childhood, for the most part). But, it is a requisite skill to be developed in the process of learning how to dive, and I do not accept an involuntary 'habit'. I don't mean to sound harsh, or oppressive, but that is a fundamental skill And, it should be actively developed during OW training.

Third, based on your post, you do need re-training - you need to train yourself to breathe - inhale and exhale - through your mouth, and to only breathe (exhale) through your nose when you want / need to.

Fourth, do not use a nose clip. It is an 'equipment solution to a skills problem'. Besides that, what are you going to do to clear your mask, with a nose clip in place? Instead, work to control your breathing. You can do it. It may take practice, and effort (as does almost anything worth doing), but you can develop the skill. In fact, you must do it, if you wish to be a competent diver.

 

[TMHeimer]

Can't be said any better than that. One other thing I may have mentioned is playing around with airway control (on land). Breathe in only with mouth, out only with nose, reverse--both at once, mouth only. Get used to what's going on inside there. If you can do that perfectly there should be no nose breathing problem on scuba.

 

[lowviz]

...//... When I did occasionally and randomly do it {exhale through my nose}, it was unconscious: I didn't know it was going to happen until it did. I don't know what else to do about it now other than just live with it, as I always have. ...//...

Very similar situation with me. Someone told me what to do.

@B4e: On land, take a "diaphragmatic breath", exhale ever so shortly through your nose then close it off, immediately continue the exhale through the mouth. Realize that you very probably completely blocked your lungs between stopping nasal exhalation and beginning oral exhalation so make a fast switchover. (Don't hold your breath)

You are just missing the first step, subconsciously blocking your nose.

I always know when I am totally relaxed, my mask starts to bubble...

 

[nolatom]

On a really cold dive, it warms up your face inside your mask.

And if you're wearing a hood over your mask, it warms your whole head!!


You can tell I've taken this thread seriously... ;-)