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

[CycleCat]

What would Mike Nelson do?

 

[Allen-1]

O

Thread 'Wearing mask backwards on forehead'

Aug 8, 2011

Can anyone explain this to me? I've seen divers wearing their mask this way and it makes no sense to me. What is the purpose? Is there a real practical reason for this? Or has this become the "cool" way of wearing it while on the surface? Is it a Tec Diving thing and divers wanna show off some kind of technical training even when they're diving recreationally?

• oahu_diver
• Replies: 78
• Forum: Fins, Masks & Snorkels

Thread 'Mask on forehead = diver in distress?'

Oct 24, 2006

Hello:

Could someone please tell me the thinking behind this?

I have been diving with a new dive shop after being away from diving for 20+ years. One thing that they constantly stress is that a diver on the surface should never place his mask on his forehead because this indicates a diver in distress. When asked why this is I am told that one of the things that a distressed diver would do is put his mask on his forehead. I have a couple problems with that answer. When sizing up a diver, it is ridiculous to place this one criteria so high on the list of many signs of what would...

• gallagj
• Replies: 132
• Forum: Basic Scuba

 

[lexvil]

I still do mask of my forehead at least locally, with the drysuit and 10mm hood it just works better, I did put it around my neck in warm water for the dingy rides. If it’s comfortable around you neck it is more secure.

 

[CycleCat]

 

[CathyE]

I have not been diving long enough to know when MOF became a problem. I do know that I put my mask up on my forehead regularly, the option, around my neck, makes me puke. Puking is a much more direct indication of a problem than MOF is, so forehead it is.

 

[madamimadam]

It's uncomfortable to grab the mask and pull it down to the neck and then reverse the process if necessary, the forehead much more convenient.

Agreed. As one who wears a mask with prescription lenses, it's far easier to quickly and single-handedly shift the mask up onto my forehead when necessary (i.e. to look at something very close such as my DC, gauges, or notes) and back down again. The strap is less likely to twist than if I pull the mask down around my neck, too. Obviously, awareness of conditions (waves) is important, and like most things there's really no definitive "correct way"—it all depends on the diver and the situation. I have an instructor friend who proabably thinks I owe him a lifetime supply of beer for all the times he's called me out for MOF.

 

[fred32176]

I put my mask on my forehead when I feel like it. I don't bring a snorkel. Sorry if any of this radical behavior offends anyone.

 

[Bob DBF]

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.

It was always determined by conditions, forehead for good conditions, around your neck when it was sporty, and on your face when you are the only one in the water, besides surfers.

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.

It's like swimming with dogs, they just want to climb on your head.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

In the U.S. Naval School for Underwater Swimmers, Key West, Florida in 1967, if one of us was caught with a mask on our forehead, it would cost us at least 20 pushups, in full gear. “Who do you think you are, Mike Nelson? Drop!”

The theory was that a mask on the forehead was easily displaced by a wave, and lost. To this day, I don’t put my mask on my forehead.

SeaRat

 

[jborg]

I tend to have it clipped to my spare double ender while walking to the water, and keep it on after the dive until back on land/boat.