New and not doing well

[KrisB]

Just two bits that haven't been covered too much:

1. a purge mask *may* help, but don't buy one with that expectation. I have used both, and find my non-purge mask both leaks less (the purge mask's valve isn't 100% anymore); and the non-purge mask is *way* easier to clear.

2. Sudafed. Well, you can see my post here: http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1843439&postcount=14 for a bit more background, but the bottom line is that it can "wear off" while diving in less than an hour. This person took it topside, about a half-hour before our second dive, and by the end of the second dive (56 minutes) it had worn off enough to cause a reverse block, which she suffered under at least until we got back to the dock 30 minutes later.

Oddly enough, I generally have slightly congested sinuses, and have taken Sudafed before diving -- at one point, almost habitually. Partway through my last trip, I forgot to take it in the morning, and clearing my ears was easier!.

I'm concerned about what you mean when you say "it just went from bad to worse after that" -- what happened that made it all worse?

 

[ZenDiva]

I just had my first classroom/pool session. No problem with the academic part. A total disaster in the pool. I got discouraged as I kept trying to clear my mask and could not do it. My instructor seems knowledgeable, with 20+ years experience, perhaps not the most "encouraging" one. As I kept trying to do it, he told me that normally people learn that skill very quickly. When I asked him if he had any suggestion for me to feel more comfortable, he said he was not sure. As I kept trying I started feeling cold as I was not moving. I had a shortie on provided by the shop. I was freezing by the time I got out. I have had some congesiton and I don't know if that anything to do with it. Bottom line I got nothing accomplished. Today I feel pressure in my left ear. I will see a doctor tomorrow, but is there a sinus relief medicine that is best for this kind of situation? I have a trip coming up and I was hoping to get done with pool sessions before then, but now I feel discouraged. There was no dive master as this was a 1:1 session. Any suggestion? I would imagine that other people, who are now successfull divers, had a hard time doing it at first. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Anna.....first get yourself the proper wet suit for the pool temps....so you'll be comfortable in the water.....

second...get some mucinex-D it's a decongestant/expectorant and i'll never dive w/out it again...[lus unlike sudafed it does not contain a antihistamine to make you drowsy...I had a bit of a cold before my Utila trip and I used this stuff every day and i was clear....I also had issues equalizing my one ear but you just take your time w/ that....and the more you dive...the easier it becomes.......

biggest thing is don't fret about the mask thing.........I had this problem and it was a major issue....and I recently flooded and cleared my mask at 100' and was rather thrilled w/ myself over it!

easiest thing to do is....you have the reg in your mouth....take off your mask and put your face in the water and just breath w/ the reg.........until you're comfy w/ this feeling......you can practice at home using your snorkel.........then take your time..it takes me 2 breaths to clear my mask..I can't do it in one....so I need to exhale...take a breath and exhale again...........don't forget to hold the top of your mask and look up ...but it really does work...and don't stress over it...it's probably the MOST common problem people have w/ diving.......

Hang in there and good luck!

 

[namabiru]

Hiya, and welcome to a fellow newbie. Coffee?

I understand your frustrations totally with mask clearing. It was difficult for me too, at first. It looks like you've had lots of suggestions from people far more capable than me, so I won't kick a dead horse.

Ironically enough, it was easier for me to take my mask off completely, put it back on, then clear, than it was for me to let water into my mask. Probably psychological--after all, why would I intentionally let water into my mask?

I do betcha sinus problems might have something to do. After all, you breathe through your nose, and if you exhale hard you'll blow snot all over. Icky. So naturally you won't want to do that.

Here's a nuts and bolts of how I learned.

1. First, stop. Breathe a coupla times with eyes shut.

2. Breathe in --big breath.

3. Exhale through nose naturally.

4. Look up.

5. Start exhaling harder.

6. Lift mask up from nose.

7. Put back down BEFORE you stop breathing from nose.

8. Look straight again.

9. Finish nose breath. Look straight ahead, not up.

10. Open eyes to check. If you need to clear a little more, first breathe once or twice naturally to rest for a second. Hold your hand up in the 'stop', then 'okay' your instructor to let her/him know you're perfectly fine, you're just taking a second to get reoriented. Then repeat.

I find if you don't complete any procedure the first time, if you can, just take a breath or two and relax for a second, then try again.

I think perhaps you feel like you should rush, or hurry up, otherwise you don't look good. But, to me, being able to stay cool and calm rather than doing things quickly makes a good level-headed diver.

That's just me.

 

[KrisB]

After all, you breathe through your nose, and if you exhale hard you'll blow snot all over.

Well at least your mask won't fog up again... though you'll probably want to purposely flood & clear it after doing that.

after all, why would I intentionally let water into my mask?

There are two reasons I can think of: one, you're plugged up and need to blow your nose, then rinse away the remnants; two, your defog isn't working, so you flood & clear your mask to get rid of the fog.

Besides, there are other situations where you may not have a completely full mask. For instance, if your hair is what is breaking the seal, whether it's a moustache (guys, mostly), or hair that has come down onto your forehead. Or maybe it's just a poor fit... or, maybe you were on a scooter, put your head down and a bit of water was forced in.

See... there's just a few reasons that you might have to clear a bit of water from your mask!

 

[K9trnr]

Besides, there are other situations where you may not have a completely full mask. For instance, if your hair is what is breaking the seal, whether it's a moustache (guys, mostly), or hair that has come down onto your forehead. Or maybe it's just a poor fit... or, maybe you were on a scooter, put your head down and a bit of water was forced in.

See... there's just a few reasons that you might have to clear a bit of water from your mask!

Those are all good reasons, but I have one question. How many women do you know with a moustache??? lol Sorry, the "guys, mostly" part just put a picture in my head and made me crack up.

Another time your mask can leak unexpectedly is when you pack it for a trip but do not have it in a hard case. This happened to my wife when the mask got worn/bent slightly from packing and then had a small leak the entire time during a night dive (her first night dive). While it was a bit of a nuisance, knowing how to clear a partially flooded mask made it only a minor nuisance.

 

[KrisB]

Those are all good reasons, but I have one question. How many women do you know with a moustache??? lol Sorry, the "guys, mostly" part just put a picture in my head and made me crack up.

Another time your mask can leak unexpectedly is when you pack it for a trip but do not have it in a hard case. This happened to my wife when the mask got worn/bent slightly from packing and then had a small leak the entire time during a night dive (her first night dive). While it was a bit of a nuisance, knowing how to clear a partially flooded mask made it only a minor nuisance.

Well, let's put it this way. I have *no* problem growing facial hair (check my profile picture for proof), but I have seen some women that would put me to shame! It's quite scary, actually...

 

[K9trnr]

Well, let's put it this way. I have *no* problem growing facial hair (check my profile picture for proof), but I have seen some women that would put me to shame! It's quite scary, actually...

That's funny...scary but funny. I'm going to have to search now for threads on moustaches. I grew one (with a light beard) a couple months ago and liked the way I looked, but it led to small leaks. I shaved it all off as a result. I'll have to find out if it's common to have small leaks with facial hair.

 

[AnnaL]

Hi everyone, I am amazed about all the messages I received and continue to receive. Thank-you SO much. Unfortunately I have not been able to try any of the tips yet as I have been dealing with my sinus infection. I tried going into the water and did not feel like my ears were clearing. I asked to change instructor and I have my next class in a couple of weeks, so hopefully that will give me time to try Walter's and other tips on my own. I think the best thing of all of this is to have found this board and all of you. You are truly an amazing community!:blinking: AnnaL

 

[RonFrank]

That's funny...scary but funny. I'm going to have to search now for threads on moustaches. I grew one (with a light beard) a couple months ago and liked the way I looked, but it led to small leaks. I shaved it all off as a result. I'll have to find out if it's common to have small leaks with facial hair.

I have a stache, and know a few other divers who also have them. Yes, it's very common to have leaks with facial hair, I mean, think about it, the hair is going to break the seal.

That said, I find that on most dives I don't have leaks even with the stache. I generally find that on shallow dives my mask has more of a tendacy to leak. If I'm below 50', I generally get a good seal due to the pressure.

My mask fits me well. I know it to be true because I've dove with a lot of masks that fit OK, but the XVision seems to fit me best, and I'm often leak free when diving it.

On the what causes leaks topic, hair, but also having it too loose. I often find that if my mask is leaking more than usual, pulling the strap is all that is needed to end that problem.

 

[andytravboy]

One thing i've noticed with entry level divers is that they think the mask should be 'welded' to the head! It may be worth loosening the straps. You should be able to exhale through the nose and break the mask seal without applying pressure to the top of the mask (ambient pressure will keep the mask on the face even without a strap).
Its by no means an easy skill to master!
Be comfortable, and make sure you have the right exposure suit on for the confined sessions as it does involve a fair bit of 'kneeling' around.
If you have a cold (congestion) then don't dive. I have taken sudafed the night before diving but never immediately before as the effects wear off more quickly when diving.
Don't be discouraged from participating in this fantastic recreational sport.
T