Mask on forehead=panic. Where did this mask signal originate?

[Ty Hamby]

As the title says. Where did mask facing forward on top of head equates to diver in distress? Was it just a local thing that spread over time or was it science tried and tested by the great ones?

As you can tell from my tone, I think it is all poppycock. Tell me why I am so wrong. Bonus points for personal stories how lives were saved or even lost by essential mask signals.

 

[rhwestfall]

It is a potential indicator of duress, but may also mean nothing...

A reg out of one's mouth can also be a sign...

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Probably in the 80's when training began to take on a different look. One of the agencies probably wrote it into their protocol handbook for instructors at some point when they recommended to always pull your mask down around your neck so you wouldn't lose it. When I got my PADI that was a big deal to always pull your mask down around your neck. In fact one of the instructors I knew who was kind if a blowhard, bellowed about how he'd "Rip your mask off your head and thrown it in the ocean"! if he caught anybody doing MOF.
Before that it was pretty normal to put an oval mask or "faceplate" as some called them on your forehead because they were round and fit well there. Plus it looked cool, you saw ads in Skin Diver magazine with these studly divers with swagger anyways with a MOF. Mike Nelson too.

 

[USdiver1]

It is a potential indicator of duress, but may also mean nothing...

Yes it means nothing, stupid scuba police crap. Wave your arms to signal for help, blow your whistle, blast your air horn, but don't rely on a mask on a forehead.

 

[tursiops]

This one of those Scuba Myths that will not die.
The danger of a mask on a forehead is losing the mask.
Essentially EVERYBODY put their mask on their forehead in days past; just look at old pictures of divers.
It isn't so much that the mask on the forehead indicates distress, but it might. Taking the mask off may indicate distress too.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

This one of those Scuba Myths that will not die.
The danger of a mask on a forehead is losing the mask.
Essentially EVERYBODY put their mask on their forehead in days past; just look at old pictures of divers.
It isn't so much that the mask on the forehead indicates distress, but it might. Taking the mask off may indicate distress too.

I always found that when divers became overwhelmed the mask got ripped completely off and they also tried to "climb" out of the water anyway they could.
I used to see it abalone diving a lot with people who were not comfortable in the water or just the real panicky types. The mask came off and they would try to climb up on their float tube.

 

[Brett Hatch]

Sometimes I walk around with my mask on my forehead, just to cause distress in other divers in the parking lot

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

Full stop.

There's already a thread on this topic.

https://scubaboard.com/community/threads/mof-nmof-lxxv-3-4-century.652346/

 

[Rilelen]

It’s nonsense. I’ve never seen a panicked diver calmly place their mask on their forehead - if they’re removing their mask, it’s getting ripped off and flailed around or dropped.

As some have said, the real danger is it accidentally sliding off and dropping it. That’s a pain in the ocean. I mostly dive freshwater springs and caves where even if that happened, you’d just….go get it. I like to put my mask on my forehead because it’s convenient. Haters gonna hate.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

Full stop.

There's already a thread on this topic.

https://scubaboard.com/community/threads/mof-nmof-lxxv-3-4-century.652346/

It seems to be in an opt in forum that I haven’t opted into. Can’t even figure out which forum so that I can decide if I want to opt into.

But, I’ve only been distressed after my mask fell off of my forehead and into 35’ of green, 5’ of visibility water. I loved that mask.

Erik