Mask Squeeze

[Easy Rhino]

I went diving on 2 wrecks off Gloucester Harbor (Massachusetts) which was the final leg of my advanced certification.

I know now that I have mask squeeze becuase I look like I went a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson. My eyes are "bloodshot" and underneath the eyes is swollen. I have read about what the symptoms of having mask squeeze are but what my question is.. How long does it take to get back to normal.. on average.. and is there anything one can do to alleviate the redness and swelling.

I know from now on what to do to avoid it.... but what can I do to get better???????????

 

[Walter]

Exhale through your nose on descent. Wasn't this covered in your OW class?

 

[hodgson]

Walter once bubbled...
Exhale through your nose on descent. Wasn't this covered in your OW class?

Walter's right..... it should be second nature by the time you get to AOW. If not, then you might either want to start practicing it again... or.... buy a purge mask. There, I said it.... the dreaded purge mask:wacko:

I know a lot of people don't like purge masks. It's a matter of taste. When I bought my new mask, I tried a bunch in the LDS pool. When I found one that fit like a glove, it happened to have a purge. They didn't have a non purge in this style in stock. So I said what the heck and bought it anyway.

Now that I'm used to it, I like it..... keeps the nose pocket free of that little bit of water that tickles the nose

 

[Walter]

A purge mask does not eliminate mask squeeze.

 

[hodgson]

Walter once bubbled...
A purge mask does not eliminate mask squeeze.

It doesn't eliminate it, but it helps. At least for me. I don't get that feeling that my eyes are being pushed back into the sockets, like I did with my old mask.

Maybe it's just that when I descend I'm pretty much automatically EQing. I don't get the little "burp" around the skirt... it comes out of the purge.

Then again, maybe it's just the way the new mask fits.... I just assumed it was the purge helping.

 

[BillP]

The broken blood vessels in the whites of the eyes (subconjuntival hemorrhage) and the bruising, "blood blisters", and swelling of the skin under the mask is caused by the relative negative pressure in a mask that isn't equalized on descent. The low pressure of the air in the mask relative to the ambient pressure at depth draws blood into the delicate tissues under the mask. It looks awful, but thankfully it isn't typically dangerous. As far as I know, like any other "bruise" there really isn't anything you can do to help it resolve any faster once it has formed. It usually gets better on its own in a week or two.

You indicated that you already have figured out how to prevent mask squeeze and were just asking how to treat the effects once they do occur. I'm sure that Walter was just reinforcing how to avoid mask squeeze and was not trying to answer your question by saying that putting your mask back on, descending, and exhaling through your nose on descent is a treatment for the effects of mask squeeze once it has occured.

As I mentioned earlier, mask squeeze is caused by having too little pressure in your mask. Purge valves in masks do not add any pressure to your mask to alleviate mask squeeze- they are one-way valves and only exhaust excess pressure from breathing out through your nose. If you find that your technique for equalizing your mask by exhaling through your nose happens to be improved by using a purge valve, then it might help you, but a purge is no replacement for proper equalization technique and is not necessary to prevent mask squeeze.

For a little more on subconjunctival hemorrhage go to:

http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic424.htm

Note that while the link says that having subconjunctival hemorrhage in both eyes might be a reason to see a doctor, having the blood around both eyes isn't atypical for divers with mask squeeze and isn't in and of itself particularly alarming.

HTH,

Bill

The above information is intended for discussion purposes only and is not meant as specific medical advice for any individual.

 

[saltwater taffy]

This may seem like a very simple cure, but when I am descending, I usually just pull my mask away from my face ever so slightly.

As far as a cure after the fact, I would suggest cool moist compresses to yourr face.

Good luck

 

[BillP]

saltwater taffy once bubbled...
This may seem like a very simple cure, but when I am descending, I usually just pull my mask away from my face ever so slightly.

As far as a cure after the fact, I would suggest cool moist compresses to your face.

If you don't also exhale through your nose you will either worsen the effects of mask squeeze by lowering the relative pressure in the mask even further, or you will flood your mask with water to equalize the pressure in your mask. I believe that's why most instructors teach simply exhaling through your nose on descent as the single best way to equalize your mask.

If you catch the problem in the first few minutes after surfacing, cold compresses might reduce the bruising and swelling. But once the bruising and swelling has formed cold compresses might make you feel better, but won't otherwise make a whole lot of difference.

Just my 2¢,

Bill

 

[Easy Rhino]

Thanks Bill........

By far that was the most comprehensive answer I could have asked for. It helped a lot to better understand what I am looking at when I look in the mirror.

By posting this I know I am at the mercy of the members to get the responses I have gotten but I think that I could do without the sarcasm of what I should know and what I should do based on my open water course. I asked a medical question and expected an answer not condescending remark.

Thanks to all who gave positive feedback.

Rhino

 

[BillP]

Easy Rhino said...

By posting this I know I am at the mercy of the members to get the responses I have gotten but I think that I could do without the sarcasm of what I should know and what I should do based on my open water course. I asked a medical question and expected an answer not condescending remark.

Glad to help when I can. I don't know hodgson or saltwater taffy, but I thought that their posts were made with the best of intentions. I do know Walter well enough to consider him a friend. He can be bluntly matter-of-fact at times, but I don't believe he has a condescending or sarcastic bone in his body. While he might not have answered your question with his post, you can rest assured that his comments were meant in all sincerity to be helpful. That's just the kind of guy Walter is. I didn't want you to get the wrong impression.

Sincerely,

Bill