If Masks comes off?

[Gombessa]

When you are practicing mask removal, do not "prepare" yourself for it. Have your buddy do it at random times.

Hmm...I really don't think I'd advocate surprise mask removals, especially if your buddy is not a trained instructor (and even then). This is not the type of environment I'd enjoy diving in, and there's real potential for problems that don't seem worth the benefit of the exercise.

If you really have to do it this way, I'd suggest having your buddy tap your mask as a signal for you to remove the mask yourself, but not have him do it in some kind of unexpected ambush.

 

[AmyDelyla]

I usually carry a pair of swimming goggles. You need to practice clearing them enough to read gauges and they are only good for ascending (including stops) but they do the job.

How do you clear goggles?

 

[hudson]

Hmm...I really don't think I'd advocate surprise mask removals, especially if your buddy is not a trained instructor (and even then). This is not the type of environment I'd enjoy diving in, and there's real potential for problems that don't seem worth the benefit of the exercise.

If you really have to do it this way, I'd suggest having your buddy tap your mask as a signal for you to remove the mask yourself, but not have him do it in some kind of unexpected ambush.

Right.. I was assuming a few things, a benign environment, already established comfort at planned removals, an attentive buddy, and a gentle removal, not a violent yank Probably not good assumptions to make in a beginner's forum, especially without voicing them. You don't really need your buddy to do this for you. You can randomize it for yourself. Just swim around randomly and go "ok masks off!" out of the blue, then do it right away without "bracing" for it. Just make sure your buddy is around and watching.

 

[Puffer Fish]

Ok, I have done the octopus "trick"...military diving joke...You take something blunt and try to push a good sized octopus into it's hole (I know, sounds odd, but it actually works), they come out, you grab them at the base of the tenticles and shake them realy hard for about a minute..they go limp... you swim up behind the unsuspecting diver, and, just as the octo starts to wake up.. stick it over the persons head...the octopus then realizes it is in a strange place and grabs tightly..usually floods the mask, but it is the regulator that is the real issue...as they tend to pull it out of your mouth. In about 45 seconds they let go and flee..

We also used to pull the CO2 levers (when we used to have them) on each other -turn off air,etc., etc....had to be there to understand the humor in it.

A couple of points:

1. I would never do that today...

2. I would never do it to a non-dive professional (if I was ever inclined to do it).

Regarding loosing a mask...I do a lot of lap swimming in a pool, and every time do some while using a snorkle, without a mask... it is something you should be comfortable with...no big deal.

 

[diver 85]

Going through my certification course now and heard some stories about octopuses grabbing a mask off of someone's face. Understanding that this is unlikely or if it comes off some other way, just curious what the best way to handle a situation like this is?

Thanks.

Dive knife right thru the heart........lol........j/k'ing there of course...The best way to remember what to do is to reenact the donning of your mask as you did before the dive ie---put it back on & clear it this time....

Also, about the octopus thingy-----10 to 1 won't happen ......now kicked off, that's another story(but has never happened to me)

 

[jedi_diver]

A more likely situation would be you snorkle getting twisted up on entry and causing a leak. In this case, as other have mentioned, don't panic. Simply remove the Mask and feel for the nose portion and pull it back on. After that tilt your head back and focibly exhale from your nose with your pal
pressed to the top of the mask. The air will displace the water. I flood my mask all the time if it get foggy. Your instructor should teach you this technique in your first confined water session and then go over it again in the open water session. You should also practice practice practice on your own time with your buddy until you have mastered this.

 

[Guba]

The dive gate of the MV Fling (Gulf of Mexico) is a bit high...about six or seven feet off the water. Therefore, divers hit the water with a bit of momentum. Upon entering once upon a time, I noticed a little seep in my mask, but assumed it was hair etc... I adjusted and continued the dive. At about 60 feet, the mask was really leaking, so I adjusted again and cleared forcefully--and blew the mask right off my face! Seems the forceful impact caused the strap to ride up over my head and I hadn't noticed. I caught the mask before it got away, fortunately, showed it to my partner, then put it back on, cleared and enjoyed the rest of the dive.
I suggest you do the same.

 

[Prostar]

I love the octo thing. But a more likely reality is the people. Just be sure of those around you. It looks like a big ocean, doesn't it? But when we get down there, it seems like everyone has to flock to the same porthole on a sunken ship at the same time. Or a DM might be waving everyone over to show off some cute critter. Maybe only one or two can get into that crevice at a time but people will climb over you to see the little darling.

 

[NudeDiver]

Yeah, it's true. I had my mask kicked off my face once. It wasn't a big deal - just put it back on.

I dunno why anyone would be freaked out by clearing their mask, or taking it off, or having it taken off or whatever. Have these people never swum underwater before SCUBA diving? I dunno...as usual, I don't get it. Oh well.

OP: have a backup mask - practice using it, problem solved.

 

[ItsBruce]

The only thing I will add is that you should practice the mask removal and clearing skill often, perhaps on every dive. It is a skill that can get dull.

IMHO, if you want to impress other divers, a very easy way is to remove and clear your mask during a dive. I recall one dive where my buddy was a very good instructor. As we went through the surf to start our dive, he found a pair of sunglasses. As we were cruising along, I noticed my buddy was having a nice cruise, but was wearing the sunglasses instead of his mask. For a moment I was confused by what I saw. Then I realized he was just having fun and was sufficiently comfortable without a mask that he could have that fun.