Mask reomoval and replacement

[LI Diver]

Who keeps there eyes open in saltwater for mask removal and replacement and who closes them?? I practice both ways but I don't remember it being mentioned in training.Is there a right and wrong way??:06:

Also how many of you guys carry a spare mask with you????

 

[spectrum]

Who keeps there eyes open in saltwater for mask removal and replacement and who closes them?? I practice both ways but I don't remember it being mentioned in training.Is there a right and wrong way??:06:

It's your choice as needed. I ususally end up opening them for part of the time anyway. I don't know why, maybe I just want to know that I can if I need to.

If you're wearing contacts try to hold it to a squint.

Pete

 

[cudachaser]

I wear contacts so I squint so they don't pop out...I give my students the option...closed or open eye...it really doesn't matter

 

[Divmstr223]

I keep them closed in salt water the majority of the time.....when salt water first gets in my eyes it irritates just a tad, and then it passes.....so if it's a quick clear or removal I just keep them closed...

 

[H2Andy]

i keep them closed so contacts dont wash out. i don't carry a spare mask.

when i start doing deco (i.e. when it is vital that i can monitor my depth and
time at the end of the dive) i'll definetly will, though

 

[MarineVet32935]

Tears are higher salinity than sea water, so opening your eyes won't bother you much. When diving in warm water, I will sometimes remove my mask for a few minutes to cool my face off.

 

[Divmstr223]

Tears are higher salinity than sea water, so opening your eyes won't bother you much. When diving in warm water, I will sometimes remove my mask for a few minutes to cool my face off.

I didn't know that..... Could be a trivia question one day, I'll have to remember that one...

 

[Pez de Diablo]

It's no problem to close your eyes when you remove your mask - there is no right or wrong way to do it, according to PADI. When I demonstrate mask removal, I keep my eyes open. I think this helps show how easy the skill should be, however I tell my students that if they would like they can keep their eyes closed during the skill.

Lots of people find that the salt water stings their eyes or if you have contacts so you need to keep your eyes closed when removing your mask.

I carry a backup mask on cave dives and techincal dives and just on the boat for recreational dives.

Dennis

 

[MarineVet32935]

I didn't know that..... Could be a trivia question one day, I'll have to remember that one...

Actually, I had it backwards. Had to look it up to be sure. Although tears do contain salt, they also contain a number of other chemicals, most notably, citric acid.

Lots of people are opting for saline water in their swimming pools, for just this reason. The chlorine is what burns the eyes and a saline solution that is closer to natural tears doesn't bother children at all and helps to control algal growth.

Here's some known salinity figures:
The average ocean and sea water salinity is 35PPT, or 3.5% (Coastal waters are usually lower, due to fresh water run off and in Florida Atlantic water, it's about 2%)
The Red Sea is the saltiest at 4.25%
The Baltic Sea is the least salty at .7%
The Great Salt Lake in Utah varies in locations from 11 to 33%
The Dead Sea (really a lake) varies from 26 to 35%
The Salton Sea in southern California is 4.5% on average
Human tears are 9PPT or .9%

Wonder how much weight you'd have to use to dive the Dead Sea.

 

[Wayward Son]

I used to keep them open as a kid. Now I wear contacts & prefer to not lose them, so if I'm flooded I generally keep them closed.