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

[Subcooled]

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.

Not speaking on the surface might also be a sign of distress...

 

[tursiops]

I am trying to find it in print. An early training manual or magazine. This will help in my quest to find its origination. I am starting to believe it may be a Mandela effect.

Below, quoted from a 1990 PADI OW Manual: The myth began before 1990.

Also, in many areas, a mask propped on your forehead is recognized as a signal of distress.

 

[Nemrod]

The real truth as a MOF practitioner extraordinaire is that most of the time, I keep my mask in place and my reg in my mouth. Never mind the mask, the regulator has saved my teeth several times from ladders, trips in rough seas and other diver's gear flailing about. However, saying that, if I pop up on a Cozumel drift and the boat is off picking up the air hogs someplace a mile away and I want to converse and relax, I am popping that mask up on my forehead and when the boat finally gets around to coming around, down goes the mask and into my mouth goes the reg until my bum is in the seat to quote @happy-diver . Getting off and on the boat or through the surf in and out is the most dangerous part of the dive.

 

[The Chairman]

But why not drop it into a secure retention position around the neck?

Don't panic over panicking divers. I have encountered them, and it's no big deal. Getting close enough to put your arm around their neck though, is just too freaking close, and you're liable to get knocked out by their tank. Just grab their tank by the regulator, inflate their BC, and you have full control. If that's news to you, then you need to take a rescue diver course.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

I am starting to believe it may be a Mandela effect.

I didn't even know Mandela was a diver.

 

[Wallowa]

Don't panic over panicking divers. I have encountered them, and it's no big deal. Getting close enough to put your arm around their neck though, is just too freaking close, and you're liable to get knocked out by their tank. Just grab their tank by the regulator, inflate their BC, and you have full control. If that's news to you, then you need to take a rescue diver course.

Well agree that the person assuming the role of rescuer must stay safe and functional or there will be two victims....never heard of putting an arm around the neck of a person already fearful of containment and panicked.....correct is rear approach and as you said inflate the BCD [don't overinflate as it will only add to their claustrophobia] but FIRST drop their weights in case you do lose contact then they can not submerge and drown....once a panicked diver is on surface keep them on surface or you may be doing a body search...also talk them down if you can, reassure them you have "got them"...as you tow them or wait for a pickup....

All divers should be trained to handle in water emergencies...FYI if panicked diver is aggressively flailing then an underwater approach to them to either turn around or come up them behind them is easy and safe if done correctly....grabbing a thrashing arm to rotate their back to you can go wrong quickly but can be used with a little practice [approach with a surface reversal on your side with fins facing diver; they lunge you retreat and if needed push off them] ...lastly if you get "hair balled" with them climbing up on you simply submerge; they do not want to descend and will release to claw their way to the surface...yes, I have trained others, experienced using these methods during rescues and dealt with panicked divers using these simple but practical techniques.

We trained all divers using these techniques; plus we taught escapes from the grasp of panicked divers if they latched on to you. The premise was beginning diver skills, and not just wait for "other certs", should include self-sufficiency/self-rescue competency and then assisting another diver in distress. Prep for "what if" and how to avoid or deal with them. No need to "sign up" for the next course to learn basic survival skills.

 

[Wallowa]

I didn't even know Mandela was a diver.

Yup...took OW Diver lessons in prison....

 

[nadwidny]

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

Happens a lot in cold weather. When diving below freezing temps the guideline is to not breathe through your reg on the surface as it may freeflow. I've seen it, mostly on Scubapros.

 

[The Chairman]

Well agree that the person assuming the role of rescuer must stay safe

That's covered in a rescue class. So is not trying to reach around a tank to try to put your arm around their neck. Having a tank thrashing around is the last place I want my face close to.

All divers should be trained to handle in water emergencies

Meh. I taught for an agency that had me teach this in Open Water. It was false bravado on their part. Instead, they should have spent more time on trim and neutral buoyancy to eliminate panicked divers. I would rather the divers concentrate on pertinent skills and save rescue skills for a more advanced class. That and their blind adherence to conducting CESAs in OW are a few of the reasons why I no longer teach under their aegis.

 

[Wallowa]

That's covered in a rescue class. So is not trying to reach around a tank to try to put your arm around their neck. Having a tank thrashing around is the last place I want my face close to.

Meh. I taught for an agency that had me teach this in Open Water. It was false bravado on their part. Instead, they should have spent more time on trim and neutral buoyancy to eliminate panicked divers. I would rather the divers concentrate on pertinent skills and save rescue skills for a more advanced class. That and their blind adherence to conducting CESAs in OW are a few of the reasons why I no longer teach under their aegis.

Difference of perspective I guess.....survival skills including self and rescue of others are indeed pertinent...when, not if, it really hits the fan and a life is in danger all the other diver skills will be insufficient to resolve the issue unless practiced rescue training was given....will not even go into ESA topic, whole other can of worms that is but one arrow in the quiver for survival if needed....again, my take, but all skills must be repeatedly trained in OW.... specifically in OW in which the diver will be diving after training, for example quarries are great diving but do not produce the knowledge and skill basis for diving in high energy marine environments....

The instructor not the agency determines the quality and sufficiency of diver training. Yes, if agency prohibited prudent skill training, then agree with jumping ship.