Mask flooding - panicking

[TequilaMockingbird]

Hi guys

I went for my third open water dive today. To date I have been quite relaxed underwater and my air consumption is pretty good. So I was pretty confident that I could handle emergencies. Boy was I wrong!

I was wearing a hood for the first time and i didn't realise that the top of my mask overlapped the bottom of the hood. So as I was descending, the mask flooded.

Initially, I just tried to clear the mask, but as I didn't realise that the problem was the mask positioning, it just kept on flooding. In the past, I have had water leaking into the mask, which I have dealt with fine as I was already on the bottom and the leaking was slow. But as the mask kept flooding and I was descending blind into an area that I hadn't dived before, panic set in and I rushed to the surface. I couldn't see as my mask was full of water. I reminded myself to breathe continually, but it was a struggle and at times I held my breathe several times for short periods (1 sec or so) before my brain kicked in and forced me to continue to breathe. When I surfaced, I was totally exhausted which I think was more of a symptom of panic than exertion (I am very fit). After a few minutes I was able to relax, fix the problem and continue the dive. i was calm after that.

Clearly, I didn't react in the way I thought I would act in such a situation. Is this kind of thing that you deal with better as you get more experienced?

Are there any techniques that can be used to deal with panic attacks?

Finally, I was thinking of using my safety stops in the future to flood my mask so that I get used to the sensation. Is this a good idea?

Many thanks for any tips.

 

[The Kraken]

Practicing a skill is good ANYTIME!!!

The flooded mask seems to be the boogey man of all new diver problems.

Most people, when doing their confined water work, aren't wearing hoods, thus negating any need to learn how to make sure the mask skirt isn't overlapping the hood.

If you're wearing a hood, one of the last things you may want to do before submerging is to take your finger, it helps if you don't have a glove on the had which with you do this, and run it around the outside edge of the skirt of your mask to make sure that it's sealing against your face and forehead.

Never hesitate to stop a descent or ascent to preempt a situation that could worsen.

Remember the mantra . . . stop, breathe, assess, correct

the K

 

[Kim]

Well...first off I can totally understand why something like that made you react like that. I'm not an instructor so maybe I'll get called on what I'm going to say but yes, I think intentionally flooding your mask, even removing it completely for a short time, is an excellent way to get used to being without it. I do it very often. You can't see much, but you can still see something, and you realize that in and of itself it's no big deal. You can still breath. You can take your time to think through the problem and put it back on so it won't flood and clear it deliberately. If it doesn't work the first time you can do it again. You can't drown from having no mask!!!!! It doesn't have to be a cause of panic, although I can fully understand that it can be if you aren't expecting it, or prepared.

 

[The Kraken]

. . . and, as Kim so rightly mentions, getting used to the feeling of the mask flooding does go a long way in helping you overcome that initial onset of panic.

By practicing the skill, the sensation becomes a scenario with which you are quite familiar and, therefore, more comfortable in rectifying.

Going along with that, it never hurts to ask your dive buddy to do a couple of out-of-air drills during a dive.

the K

 

[mislav]

Clearly, I didn't react in the way I thought I would act in such a situation. Is this kind of thing that you deal with better as you get more experienced?

Simple answer - yes. Don't feel bad about how you dealt with this situation. A lot of divers react the same way at first, but get better with practice - myself included.

Are there any techniques that can be used to deal with panic attacks?

Panic attack normally follows after your breathing has become faster and deeper. Usually all it takes are two to three breaths and you're there. Controlling your breathing helps prevent panic.

Finally, I was thinking of using my safety stops in the future to flood my mask so that I get used to the sensation. Is this a good idea?

It is, but keep in mind that if you don't clear your mask in one blow you might bolt yourself to the surface. So it might be better to practice this right after you're done with your safety stop.

 

[TeddyDiver]

Clearly, I didn't react in the way I thought I would act in such a situation. Is this kind of thing that you deal with better as you get more experienced?

Are there any techniques that can be used to deal with panic attacks?

Finally, I was thinking of using my safety stops in the future to flood my mask so that I get used to the sensation. Is this a good idea?

Just to stay focused to the essential, breathing. I say you are now more experienced about panic attack than I'am, so after this experience you can deal with it, and avoid it...
You can also take practices as buddy pairs, and make short dives without wearing a mask (not at the same time )

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Hi guys

I went for my third open water dive today. To date I have been quite relaxed underwater and my air consumption is pretty good. So I was pretty confident that I could handle emergencies. Boy was I wrong!

I was wearing a hood for the first time and i didn't realise that the top of my mask overlapped the bottom of the hood. So as I was descending, the mask flooded.

Initially, I just tried to clear the mask, but as I didn't realise that the problem was the mask positioning, it just kept on flooding. In the past, I have had water leaking into the mask, which I have dealt with fine as I was already on the bottom and the leaking was slow. But as the mask kept flooding and I was descending blind into an area that I hadn't dived before, panic set in and I rushed to the surface. I couldn't see as my mask was full of water. I reminded myself to breathe continually, but it was a struggle and at times I held my breathe several times for short periods (1 sec or so) before my brain kicked in and forced me to continue to breathe. When I surfaced, I was totally exhausted which I think was more of a symptom of panic than exertion (I am very fit). After a few minutes I was able to relax, fix the problem and continue the dive. i was calm after that.

Clearly, I didn't react in the way I thought I would act in such a situation. Is this kind of thing that you deal with better as you get more experienced?

Are there any techniques that can be used to deal with panic attacks?

Finally, I was thinking of using my safety stops in the future to flood my mask so that I get used to the sensation. Is this a good idea?

Many thanks for any tips.

This is something I've dealt with many times ... and not just with new divers, either. It's a reflex action ... part of the "fight or flight" instinct that's hard-wired into all of us for the purpose of keeping us alive. Unfortunately, we weren't designed for the underwater environment, and so we have to work to short-circuit the instinct before it gets us in trouble.

As with most things, you can adapt ... and there are techniques that will help you do so. Do this with a dive buddy or fellow instructor ... someone you can trust to assist you if needed.

Start in waist-deep water. Remove your mask competely. Close your eyes. Put your regulator in your mouth and put your face in the water (either by bending over or by flexing at the knees until you are submerged below eye level). Breathe slowly and deeply. If you feel stress starting to set in, stand up ... get your bearings ... and do it again.

Repeat this process until you can breathe through the regulator with no mask for as long as you like without feeling stressed. Monitor your breathing ... you'll know you're ready to move to the next step when you can maintain a slow, deep, relaxed breathing pattern without effort. It might take a while ... I've worked with students for over an hour just on this part. Depends on the individual ... some of us have a stronger "survival instinct" than others.

Once you've gotten to the point where you can control your breathing, move out into deeper water ... just deep enough that you cannot reach the surface by standing up. Start by laying on the bottom. Flood your mask. Take several breaths before clearing it. If you start to feel stress, clear your mask. Breathe a few times. Now flood the mask again. If you feel the onset of panic, go back to step one.

Once you've gotten to the point where you can control your breathing without effort, try the exercise again ... this time hovering. If you start to rise to the surface, your dive buddy should put his hand on top of your arm as a signal to let you know that's happening. If he does, breathe out and clear your mask. Then repeat the exercise. Continue this until you can hold a hover while taking several breaths with your mask flooded.

Once you've reached this point, the problem is usually resolved ... you've just turned what your brain once thought of as an emergency into nothing more than a minor annoyance. Congratulations ... now go enjoy your dive ... and don't forget to practice the skill from time to time. Adaptation often requires occasional "refreshers" ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[bvmjethead]

Reading threads like this is really making me see the extreme importance of a qualified instructor.

I was is somewhat of a state of fear even as I read this story.

It's certainly brought attention to a potential problem that I will concentrate on dealing with prior to being below the waves.

 

[MikeFerrara]

The only thing I would add is that if the water is cold, it can still momentarily knock the wind out of you. While it's uncomfortable and that probably won't ever change, it can't hurt you. Just get your breathing under control, stay on top of buoyancy control making it and buddy contact the prorities and then clear the mask.

 

[Michael Schlink]

It's get most everyone early in their diving career. Mike and Grateful have good advice, I would add that if you don't continue to "test" yourself occasionally no mask skills can be lost or degrade. Once you have "mastered" the no-mask drill be sure to occasionally remove your mask while diving and then calmly replace it. Years ago I would go to the local quarry and make dives without a mask at all as practice. Some claim the "mamalian(sp) diving reflex" can have some effect on us, when the cold water hits us in the forehead, causing a change in respiration and heart rate. When training students in cold water we usually recomended that they splash some cold water on their face prior to actually getting in or before descending to acclimate.-M