Frustrating!!

[Nemrod]

An advanced level diver should be able to complete and entire dive with no mask with eyes open. A leaking mask can be annoying but should not cause stress or panic. You probably need more water time and some escorted no mask dives.

Often if a mask floods when you pinch the nose pocket that is an indication of poor fit and most particular being too large.

N

 

[Kellykins]

I think he meant "such a Cozumel wuss", meaning he can't imagine diving in water that cold . . .

Ah!

 

[DandyDon]

Ah!

Sorry, typo. I've been below 50F once near Seattle. 90 minutes at 41F and you're frustrated about other challenges. Tough girl.

I think Ayisha gave you a pretty good response there. Hope those work for you and you don't have more problems clearing.

 

[Kreef]

I'm also busy with my advance open water diver course and my first deep dive was also at a local quarry. The visibility wasn't very good so the drops going from 4-12m and from 12-27m were like deep black pits, freaked me out the first time I went down there. Looking at the wall of the quarry while going down and using a DSMB while ascending helped to give me some point of reference. We did four bounce dives to 27m and after the second dive I was starting to enjoy the dives rather than stressing about it, although I wish I had a dry suit as the water below the thermocline was freezing. I have to agree with the previous posts that its important to be comfortable in the water before attempting the advance diver course, as you don't need any additional stress while your down there. Good luck with the course and I hope you get your mask problem fixed

 

[TSandM]

Although I completely agree that an advanced diver should be able to cope with a leaking mask, I also recognize that many divers taking the advanced class are by no means advanced divers, but barely past the beginner stage, and I also think that there is a difference between a leaking mask in Maui and a mask which is permitting the entry of ice water. Even if you don't mind clearing a mask repeatedly, you're likely to be a bit stressed by the ice cream headache

 

[beaverdivers]

Perhaps it should be phased - Intermediate Diver!

 

[razorbackdiver]

Did you have the mask adjusted for that hood in the past? If not, the strap may have been too tight, which can deform the mask and destroy the seal.

I have done dives in water nearly that cold with a leaking mask. Even if you are comfortable with mask clearing, having to do it constantly in ice water is a stressor. When you add other stresses to that one, including being a novice diver and nervous about depth, you have a recipe for a bad outcome, and I think it's a good thing that you didn't continue to push and try to get the deep dive done.

As far as vertigo goes, I empathize! I had horrible problems with vertigo for the first several years that I dove, whenever I was in midwater without a visual reference. It took a long time to learn the orientation cues that allow me to function in that setting, and I still don't like it very much. If looking down into the blue abyss bothers you, then stick to dives where you can maintain some kind of reference, whether that's an anchor line or a reef or a sloping shoreline. When you are much more comfortable in the water, you can challenge yourself with some forays into blue water, and see how it goes.

What are these other visual clues of which you speak. My local diving is often like being in a cloud. I have no problem with the lack of visual reference but any tips are appreciated.

 

[TMHeimer]

Vertigo: I don't like high places unless there is no chance of falling (ie. inside a building, a plane that doesn't crash, etc.). I can imagine being uncomfortable looking down to a bottom of 100' and seeing it. I haven't seen that YET. But I have been descending in deep water (and ascending without a reference) without being able to see the bottom or surface. I focus on my ascent rate and depth gauge (ascending and descending), so I know where I am. Maybe this would help with 100' viz as well? (you should be doing this anyway, but maybe doing it even more could also keep nasty vertigo thoughts at bay).

I agree with all those saying get more comfortable with diving in shallower depths first, then gradually go deeper when you feel ready.

No one addressed your equalisation problem-- I assume you didn't have congestion...I too equalize with ease and without any motion, nose pinching, jaw moving. I rarely even have to swallow. So your problem is a mystery to me.

 

[azhar]

Focus on your depth gauge and your regulator exhaust bubbles while descending, instead of looking down. This will provide your brain with a point of reference and it will help you with vertigo part.
For mask recheck that there are no hair in your mask skirting before going for another mask.

 

[TSandM]

One of the cues I learned to use was whether my exhaust bubbles were running evenly up both sides of my face. If they're going up one side, I'm rolled off level; if they're running up my body, I'm head down. In my dry suit, I use the degree of squeeze on my feet to tell me whether I am neutral, foot down or feet up. I use my buddies as visual references as much as I possibly can, especially if they are better at midwater stuff than I am, and if I can't see my buddy (which is where the worst problems come in) I'll use anything else I can find -- particles or animals in the water, a scooter if I have one, the line from a bag (and I carry a bag any time there's any possibility of having to do a midwater ascent, because the bag and line help a LOT). I have also learned that I CANNOT search for someone else in midwater. My buddies need to stay where I can see them, or they are on their own -- and anybody I do this kind of dive with has been told that ahead of time. Rapid head movement incites the vertigo, and after someone who was an instrument pilot told me that THEY are warned not to move their heads rapidly to avoid it, I realized that every incident I had ever had had been related to searching for a dive buddy who had gotten out of position.