Deep Air Course...

[Erik Il Rosso]

I was thinking about attending a deep air course to reach at least 50 mtrs, let's a say a new challenge after diving for a couple of years within the 40 mtrs limit...

I got one doubt before spending quite a lot of money for this course...

I suspect (I am pretty SURE) that most of the skills will be done maskless in order to increase difficulty but the problem is that I cannot keep my eyes open underwater...

Should I say goodbye to this project or is there a possibility for me ???

Ciao Erik Il Rosso

P.S. I know that all I have to do is learn to keep them open but it is something that I really don't like....

 

[miketsp]

 

[Blackwood]

I cannot keep my eyes open underwater...

um...

Why?

 

[wedivebc]

I was thinking about attending a deep air course to reach at least 50 mtrs, let's a say a new challenge after diving for a couple of years within the 40 mtrs limit...

I got one doubt before spending quite a lot of money for this course...

I suspect (I am pretty SURE) that most of the skills will be done maskless in order to increase difficulty but the problem is that I cannot keep my eyes open underwater...

Should I say goodbye to this project or is there a possibility for me ???

Ciao Erik Il Rosso

P.S. I know that all I have to do is learn to keep them open but it is something that I really don't like....

You won't see any better with your eyes open so just close them while maskless. I doubt you will spend very much time without a mask.

 

[MikeFerrara]

You won't see any better with your eyes open so just close them while maskless. I doubt you will spend very much time without a mask.

Nonsense. Didn't you ever fetch coins from the bottom of a pool without a mask? I free dived to the bottom of a lake without a mask to find an expensive lure that I ALMOST lost. You can see well enough to stay with a buddy or to pick up a visual reference to help control your position. While you won't be able to read, you sure can see a lot better with your eyes open than with them closed.

If I couldn't open my eyes under water without a mask, I wouldn't dive and I sure wouldn't be considering deep dives.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I have been fairly vocal about not enjoying mask off drills. My cave instructor exploited this weakness greatly. I still do not enjoy having my mask removed. There is a huge difference between not enjoying mask off time and not being safe with my mask removed. I am safe with my mask removed, I must be because I spent many hours with my mask removed as part of my instruction, and I always found my way out of the cave.

Erik, if you are not comfortable with your mask off you need to work on that skill on EVERY dive until you can do it in reasonable comfort. My suggestion is to remove your mask during your safety stop. Talk to your buddy before the dive and let them know what you will be doing. Work with them to help you maintain your depth, pretty soon it will be no big deal.

Good luck with the class,

Mark Vlahos

 

[Rick Inman]

P.S. I know that all I have to do is learn to keep them open but it is something that I really don't like....

I like it. Been doing a bunch lately. At first it's kind of weird - everything all blurry and convoluted. But then you just settle into the new environment and it's kind of cool, kind of fun. And yes you can see your buddy and all kinds of recognizable shapes.

I even wear contacts an I've haven't lost one yet.

But I would say that if you can't handle it in the water without a mask and with your eyes open, you should limit yourself to some very simple recreational dives and forget about anything more advanced. Just my 2 cents.

But yes, you're right. You could learn to do it if you really wanted to. What does your instructor say about it?

 

[Quaack]

What is the connection between deep class & no mask?
I am now working on AOW, including deep,
& have not come across anything about having to dive without a mask.

Dave

 

[MikeFerrara]

What is the connection between deep class & no mask?
I am now working on AOW, including deep,
& have not come across anything about having to dive without a mask.

Dave

The "deep" refered to in "deep air class" is deeper than the "deep" refered to in your AOW class. There is deep and then there is deeper and there is advanced and more advanced. However, a mask might be lost of flooded at any point in your diving and you should open your eyes if it is.

 

[wedivebc]

and you should open your eyes if it is.

why?