Mask Flooding Panic

[pipedope]

Remember that diving is an unnatural act.

Everything about diving is contrary to the evolution of air breathing, land mammals.

We learn new behaviors and train them so that they become automatic.

If someone grew up swimming then water in the face is probably no big deal but even swimmers often have problems with the unique situation of water in the face and breathing at the same time.

Many people take up diving with relatively little water experience and go on to become fine divers. Some people who have been lifelong swimmers never become good divers.

Most of these skills and responses require repeated experience to set into the mind and body, and (very important) on different days with good sleep in between.

Rome wasn't built in a day and neither was a good diver.

 

[Humba]

Welcome to diving in Texas!! Practice, practice and practice. It's been such a valuable skill for me to be able to perform, and I know it'll be something you'll be glad you can perform comfortably. Congrats!

 

[Riff Raff]

I have to wonder why someone even wants to get certified if they are near panic when some water gets in their face.

Whee, board trolls. Can always find at least a couple of them... :07:

Do they swim?

Yup.

Do they like to swim?

Yup. The one caveat I can add is that I've always had a habit of holding my nose while swimming underwater. That's probably coming back to bite me in the ass now.

Will their life be in danger if their mask gets knocked loose by a buddy's careless kick or a snag on a descent line?

Right now, maybe. After a few practice sessions on my own, probably not. Two weeks ago my life would have also been in danger if someone had just tossed me into the water with full SCUBA gear on and no explanation. Fortunately there's this thing called learning that can help you get past that. Here's hoping noone ever issues you any sort of instructor certification... :11:

 

[H2Andy]

Here's hoping noone ever issues you any sort of instructor certification... :11:

 

[RiverRat]

Hey Riff Raff, keep plugging along and avoid the negative BS spewed by some of the omnipotent "master" divers out there. I too had my own issues while in OW classes along with many other folks. Each of us has our own strengths and weaknesses. If we really want to become good divers we overcome them eventually. Once we do then it's a non-issue. We've progressed. Some of the "worst" beginners turn out to be the best divers. Some of the know-it-all "best" divers are actually the worst.

 

[theskull]

Riff Raff,

Not a troll and no harm intended. I do indeed hope that you can master the skill and become comfortable in the water. I very much hope that you do so in shallow water with good buddies before venturing into more challenging situations.

I am not a "master" or even a "know-it-all" diver. Just one who truly loves to dive and likes to see others enjoy safe experiences as well. I agree with you that my particular view and attitude precludes me from becoming an instructor. As a Divemaster part of my job is to help prevent students from hurting themselves while taking cert classes and preventing or controlling their panic, and I enjoy doing this. I do not want the Instructors' responsibility of pronouncing someone "certified to dive".

One of my greatest pleasures is to go diving with SOME of the newly certified divers with whom I have been in the water and help them acquire more comfort, better skills, and learn to have more fun in the water.

Forgive me for worrying about some of the ones who display panic along with their unfamiliarity with the skills. I do worry too much.

theskull

 

[tangfish]

I know how you feel. Out of all the tasks for certifications that one was probably my least favorite. Don't worry, once you get past that you'll hopefully never have to repeat that situation. Sure I flood my mask a little sometimes when I have fog, and have to clear it when it occaisionally leaks, but I've thankfully never had a full fledged flood like when you are practicing the skill. Also, now that I've gotten more dives under my belt, I am pretty comfortable in general breathing from a reg and its second nature, no matter what else I'm doing. Just stick with it and be glad that after your OW you'll be done with that task. It is very necessary to know how to clear your mask, that's why we're subjected to it!

 

[terenceg]

like what everyone says here. i would suggest practise more.

 

[SeaHound]

I felt EXACTLY the same panic on my open water course. This is how I got over it:

1. take the reg in ur mouth and breath on the ground. Yup out of water and try to use ur mouth ONLY (imagine you are doing it under water)

2. Once you think you can do it underwater give it a shot. No mask mind you. Just reg in ur mouth.

3. Once you think you can breath comfortably in the watr with no mask try swimming a length of the pool with no mask.

Give it a shot

 

[margorah]

One tip I picked up for the next step, of mask removal, replacement and clearing, was to tilt your head to the side when your mask is off. This stops the bubbles going all around your face and adding even more sensory confusion.