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

[Wallowa]

If losing a mask a mask turns you into flotsam bobbing in the water, you aren't doing it right. It's an inconvenience, not a catastrophe..

Underwater, divers need masks to be divers....without them they are indeed flotsam relegated to the surface.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

As the title says. Where did mask facing forward on top of head equates to diver in distress?

I understand that it originated in the early days with the PIOOMA certification agency. Loudly and often repeated by their instructor corps. Unfortunately, many folks heard it and took it as gospel. It's kind of like the folks that say if your aluminum tank is over 10/15/20 years old it must be condemned or at the very least is unsafe to fill. That bit of wisdom came directly by way of extensive PIOOMA propaganda. "It's for the children!"

The credentials of PIOOMA have generally not been well recognized, for many good reasons. This is likely one of them.

 

[AsherN]

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.

As someone who wears a prescription mask with a bifocal prescription, I'll wear my mask on my forehead on the boat until ready to giant stride, because the line between far and near vision can really mess up you perception

 

[Jai Bar]

The habit may have started (and probably still practiced) in the military. I can imagine navy seals (or whatever country commandos) at night in choppy seas riding in a RIB and the waves washing over board any gear not secured and of course ripping masks placed on forheads, then they get to the DZ and GI Joe (or Jane) can't dive because mask was lost on the way...

In the 60-70s, a lot of scuba instructors were ex-military and often brought their techniques and habits into civilian world.

Funny, I was once standing in the water waiting for my class to come, a person walking on the beach saw me alone with MOF minding my own business and came running to me shouting "don't panic! I will help you!" then grabbed hold of me and tried "to calm me down" mumbling "it's okay, I'm holding you" and I am like "WTF dude, leave me alone".. Those little misunderstandings in life

 

[LI-er]

My mask on my forehead means I'm about to blow my nose. If I put my mask around my neck....well, that's where the snot will end up. No bueno.

That's the best defog there is, and if you think there's mucus in your mask, you're wrong it's snot (this sentence must be read aloud).

 

[Knockneed Man]

A mask on your forehead indicates just as much diver stress as sunglasses on your forehead.

 

[AJ]

Why would you do that?

Why not? I'am asking because a lot of people seem to think this is very dangerous behaviour. In reality a skilled diver should be confortable without an reg in his/her mouth under water. No reg is no reason to panic

For me it's an easy way to get my body in 'dive mode'. Besides that, I dive a lot in cold water. Breathing on the surface leads to free flowing reg.

 

[iliketopetsharks]

Underwater, divers need masks to be divers....without them they are indeed flotsam relegated to the surface.

No offence, but maybe you could work on getting comfortable without a mask. It's not much different than diving in very bad visibility, and if you freak out without a mask and lose control of your breathing and buoyancy control, you might run into problems.

 

[LI-er]

Why not? I'am asking because a lot of people seem to think this is very dangerous behaviour.

Breathing on the surface leads to free flowing reg.

Because if you splash without a mask and regulator you'll get water in your eyes and up your nose and you won't have the ability to breath underwater, and be unable to react quickly to an issue, many of which occur when exiting or entering the boat.

If your regulator tends to freeflow on the surface- when it's in your mouth- which I never heard of, replace it with one that has an adjustable flow. A regulator is much more likely to freeflow when it's NOT in your mouth.

You really need me to tell you this?

 

[The Chairman]

If your regulator tends to freeflow on the surface- when it's in your mouth- which I never heard of,

It happens and has nothing to do with intermediate pressures. The venturi effect causes a cooling effect in the reg as gas expands. Water at/near freezing temps can then freeze the valve open, which causes it to get even worse. Not something I deal with here in Florida, but it's common enough in northern climes.