Forgive Me.....I Forgot!!

[Big-t-2538]

I agree that it isn't the wisest distress signal, but, as it was once used that way, I can't blame a DM for being cautious and interpreting it as a possible distress situation.

I believe that the underlying theory is that a distressed diver will naturally rip his mask off, or get it off of his face when he comes to the surface b/c the mask is "un-natural". Frankly, I think the mask on the forehead looks really dumb, and you certainly increase your chances of losing it in the ocean.....or in a lake with zero viz (just ask my brother about the latter).

 

[Gary D.]

How dare you! Mike Nelson kept his mask on HIS forhead, and he never looked like a dork!

Here's the profile picture of an SB member, Gary D, back when he was Navy Seal in '65. Dork??? You deside...

Please no, NOT A SEAL. I don't have a clue what to do with an M-16 underwater. A welder, Cutting torch, power tools, lift bags are OK but no Underwater Knife fights.

Dork, yup but a bad *** dork. We could wear panty hose and not get our butts kicked.

Gary D.

 

[Paul Evans]

Please note I did say "Some people"

I'm pretty certain there are ref's. to this in the current PADI OW course as well, may be wrong. And i hate to think how many times I've heard, instructors, DM's and skippers say that it's a sign of trouble.


As for loseing you mask, quite right, dumb thing to do, I've got a short length of shock line from mask to a D ring, Same principle as Musto have on some of their sailing caps, if it comes off its at the end of a very short line.

 

[Allen42]

I was taught that is isn't necessarily a distress signal (as in, "oh, hey, I'm in distress, perhaps I should put my mask on my forhead"), but rather a sign of distress. (As in panicked divers often move their mask up onto their forehead immediately upon surfacing in order to see & breathe easier.) I would think that this sign would be accompianied by other signs of distress.

As far as losing it, I know of one diver who admitted it, and have heard numerous tales of losing a mask that was on the forehead in rough conditions.

I don't like it, and find myself making judgements about those who take the time to put their masks on backwards. (I'm surpised their regs don't freeze up 'cuz their just too cool. :14

 

[QuoVadis]

Well obviously i wouldnt put it on my forehead in rough sees or coming up to a boat but our class was standing on the beach getting instructions and a few of us (not me) had their masks on their forehead and he scolded them (yes scolded!) Personally i dont care how it LOOKS up there but i do feel its more comfortable!!!!!!

 

[Paul Evans]

Is this a PADI thing???

Unfortunatly I can't comment on other agencies, Anybody help??

 

[Walter]

It is not a distress signal. As Allen said, rejection of equipment is a sign of distress. I've seen panicked divers remove their masks, I've never seen one place it calmly on his forehead.

"I've seen it recently where a DM has asked if someone was ok - and it is listed as a distress signal in one manual I have (PADI Dive Manual - 1978, pg 34 - no jokes, plz)."

Consider the source.

 

[QuoVadis]

Walter c'mon!!You NEVER seen anybody place their mask on their forehead calmly????

 

[Walter]

"You NEVER seen anybody place their mask on their forehead calmly????"

I've never seen a panicked diver do anything calmly.

 

[Paul Evans]

I think Walter was talking about Panicked divers, They generaly don't do things calmly.