Mask and Mammalian Reaction?

[Gidds]

Why does my mask leak when I look up while on the bottom? It doesn't leak a lot, just a bit and YES it fits properly.

Does anybody else get scared when they are on the bottom and look up and see the surface WAY up there? :blush: If so what do you do to not be afraid?

For now I try not to look up while on the bottom and if I do look up and get scared I look at something else and/or maybe go a little shallower while not looking at the surface.

 

[skybird]

My mask sometimes leaks when I look up....I have a small bone structure, and even though I am overweight, my small bone structure allows the seal to break sometimes when I move the wrong way. No big deal, have gotten where it really doesn't bother me now...just clear it and go on.

i understand about looking up and feeling a moment of fear. When I look up ( which I don't do often) I look at the bubbles, which I find facinating. It's a shame you had to have such a long dry spell, happy for you that you can get back into diving.

SkyBird

 

[Ber Rabbit]

It leaks for the same reason it will leak if you smile or laugh. When you are horizontal in the water and raise your chin to look up the shape of your face changes a bit letting water in.

Try going to a pool and swimming the length of the pool underwater on one breath. Our students have to do this to pass the OW class and the pool is 25 yards (about 75 feet). The knowledge that you can swim that far may help you view "way up there" as "not so far".

Just my .02.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Santa]

considering that you're just starting out i'd say your approach is fine: Concentrate on what you want out of the dive, and just don't look up for a while. Go shallow if it makes you feel better, no reason to push it. Respecting depth is sound, but I'll bet that fear goes away by itself in another ten dives or so. The surface is just a controlled ascent away.

happy diving

 

[freediver]

It is possible that as you're looking up (neck extended), you are also rolling your eyes upward. If you do this you will probably find that your forehead wrinkles, thus breaking the mask seal.

 

[The Kraken]

Well, one reason your mask can leak when you look up towards the surface is that the air inside your mask, in an effort to migrate to the surface in its normal physical behavior, will tend to pull your mask from your face and allow the influx of water.

the K

 

[Vayu]

I've actually found that look up to be comforting, since the depth always seems somewhat shallower than I imagined it to be. This does not mean I think I am in shallow water when I'm at 60' but it gives me a good idea of how decieving depth can be. What I don't like is looking up and seeing the same thing when looking down.

The "Dive reflex" happens when really cold water contacts the surface of your previously warm and toasty skin, and can slow circulation among other things. We splash a little water on our faces or do a good mask clear to prevent this prior to diving colder waters. Keep in mind 'colder' doesn't really apply in florida. I would be hesitant to ice dive like those crazy canadians.

-V

 

[Wayward Son]

I don't see it as "way up there", I see it as "it's just right there".

Even 100 feet is only 1/3 the length of a football field. 60 ft is 20 yards. I hunt with a bow & arrow, and getting that *close* to a big game animal is a challenge, 20 yards is nothing. Almost spitting distance

 

[D_B]

Your probably raising your eye brows to look up too (wont let me say eyeeyebrowbrows)

Your doing the right thing about concentrating on other things other than "the surface way up there" you'll get used to it and it will not bother you after a while (for me, it looks like It's just "right there" and have never been bothered by it)

DB

 

[spectrum]

The bouyancy of the mask's air volume aimed up and away from your face is like a little lift bag. That and facial distortion can encourege some seepage.

Dive in cloudier water so you can't see the surface.

Pete