Inhaling water when clearing mask

[cmburch]

Good information on mask clearing. It can be practiced in a swimming pool and even the bath tub to get a good feeling of the technique. I remember my little brother sitting in the tub with his mask and snorkel on, fill his mask then sit up and practice clearing it. He did some other strange things such as snorkeling with a cat in the neighbor's kiddie pool. A couple of nights in the tub may help. My brother had a purge on his USD mask though.

 

[DandyDon]

Good information on mask clearing.

Can he clear his okay? I had a Padi Instructor threaten to give me mouth-to-mouth for wearing my mask like that once, and I did not want her mouth on mine...!

 

[MattC007]

I very much doubt, and I certainly hope, that you were NOT taught to tilt out the bottom of the mask. That is most certainly NOT the way PADI prescribe. They specify, and for once I agree with them, that you should use a finger from each hand to hold the top of the mask against your face. You should not touch the bottom at all during this manoeuvre, as by so doing you'll probably end up admitting fresh water.

Bears out my contention that much scuba teaching is very sloppy.

Well, that was the way I WAS taught, and it works. Water will not go into your mask from the bottom, because water doesn't run uphill:11doh: As you exhale, you put pressure on the water in your mask already, and it goes out the only opening it can, which is the bottom of the mask. I WIN!

 

[ReefHound]

You have buddies who are Dive Masters, or
You have buddies who are not qualified to be diving with a student - or
Shudder: You're not going in alone I hope?!

Even if they are divemasters they are not qualified to be instructing an uncertified student without instructor supervision.

 

[DandyDon]

Even if they are divemasters they are not qualified to be instructing an uncertified student without instructor supervision.

No I guess not; good point. It sounds like he was borrowing gear to practice alone in an unsafe setting. That's why we have Instructors.

 

[Koi Fin]

Hello again Ladies & Gentlemen;

I just wanted to thank you again for all the helpful tips. I went to the pool again and I messed up again the first time (not a confidence booster). After a good cough I realized having my mask off and nose in the water was bothering me so I sat in the water for a few minutes until it didn't. Tried clearing again and ... magically my mask filled up with air instead of my lungs with water After that I guess it clicked, I did it again and again for 20 minutes until it felt quite routine. Generally it takes me two tries to fully clear my mask, and I don't tilt my head for the first one, as suggested. I also briefly close my eyes when I'm doing that first exhale, something about having the change from water to air on my eyes was a little odd/bad feeling.

I feel so much more confident having done it successfully, I know I need to keep practicing but I'm no longer dreading moving on with my open water class.

 

[Koi Fin]

To answer an earlier comment, I have not tried asking the dive shop for extra instruction. I hadn't really realized it was an option for some reason, I guess I was thinking of the class as a set package. I'm going on vacation so it will be several weeks before I can hit the water again, so when I get back I will call them and ask them about what my options are and the costs involved. Ideally I would like to be in a situation where there are less students per teacher than I had in the first class, so I can get more feedback on how I'm doing.

Another comment asked if my friends are certified to teach; they are not. They are AOW divers who have Red Cross CPR training, and they were with me and actively watching me anytime I was in the water (mostly I sat in chest-deep water). I would say that I was not expecting them to act as instructors and teach me anything - I was just trying to practice skills I learned in my class - but that would be arguing semantics I think. I ended up learning things from them, although I'm also learning things from here on the board and from the web in general. That being said, I see your point and I understand the wisdom of the rule of never letting an uncertified diver in the water without a certified instructor present. And I certainly would never, ever scuba alone.

As to comment asking how I was taught to clear my mask, my instructor showed us to make a motion similar to Homer Simpson's "Doh!" - the palm of the hand held to the center of the top of the mask.

And finally thank you to Winterpeg for their comment about not feeling guilty about canceling my OW dives. I'm really glad I did, it took the pressure off and ultimately I think I'm going to be a better diver and enjoy it more for taking the time to learn basic skills completely at my own slooow pace

 

[CJM]

I had a similar issue this past weekend in a pool. I was practicing this procedure an ran into issues. Practice practice and more practice is what its gonna take. Thanks for all the great advice

 

[Twistedarts]

A tip I can pass along, while doing the push method (top of the mask) tilt our head down toward your chest (chin in chest) start to blow and as you raise your head up continue blowing gently, by the time you can see the surface the mask will be clear.

Tilting your head down first helps keep the water from rushing into your nose. taught it to my mrs. and it worked for her.

practice, practice, practice

 

[Bob Vincent]

I'm sorry I'd really need to see you clear your mask. But I'll throw my 2 cents in here anyway. Don't tilt your head back so much number 1. You know the old saying sticking your nose up. Just start then raise your head/nose about 1/2 inch. Don't use your hands to push your mask on your head. Instead put one finger in the middle of your mask at the top and just put alittle pressure on the mask. Exhale easily. Stop take a breath threw your mouth. Exhale again easily. Repeat to mask is clear. If it feels better close your eyes so you can think about what to do.

I've seen to many times people press the mask against their heads so hard it doesn't seal right. Along with that their heads tilted way back and they don't get good air replacement with the strong blast, then for a split second water rushes up to fill the void in. Thus making you inhale more and ending up choking.

It's a shot in the dark but I'd wish youd try my way. Good Luck.