New and trying to be certified in Louisiana

[gambitlizard]

Hi everyone! I'm a newbie from NW Louisiana... trying to get certified. My husband has been since '96 and it's something I've always wanted to do. However, I've been having problems in my dive class. I can't seem to get over the panic that comes with mask flooding/removal. I read on one of the forums about "Walter's Mask Clearing Method" but can't find the thread. I've been given personal time at my dive school/shop and my sister and her husband (who've been diving for 20+ years) have been great at helping me out. But I'm always looking for more advice and words of encouragement. I look forward to getting to know others on this forum. Good luck and "see" you soon.
kk

 

[edpdiver]

I can't seem to get over the panic that comes with mask flooding/removal.

Hi there. I can really empathize with your situation (even though I am from Southeast Louisiana; we can still be friends ). I got certified with my wife and son a little over three years ago, and I was doing it because it was part of a 15th birthday present to my son. I have always had problems with water getting in my nose when swimming, and I was very nervous about removing my mask. While I was not able to do it right away, I found that with practice, it is not a problem at all. Now I can swim without water going up my nose, too. One practical suggestion is to go to a pool, and practice on your own without a group of people around. That removes some of the pressure. Probably you can do this by going with a dive class (not your own, so you can go off by yourself) Another suggestion is to start in the pool with your head out of the water, without your facemask on, but with the regulator in, and gradually lower your face into the water. That might be a more gradual approach.

Incidentally, now when my facemask fogs up while diving, I just remove my mask under water to help clear off the "fog" (i.e., the condensation), and put it back on. I do this when I am 80 feet under water, and it does not faze me in the least. So, it can be done. Hope this helps.

Erwin aka edpdiver

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy and Welcome to SB.com!

Click Forums at the top to start checking all the choices, and try our feature. Hope you enjoy your time here. Click my Username to PM me if I can help...??

don

 

[Black Water Diver]

What a lot of divers have is what you are feeling. The best way to overcome it is pool time. Sit in the shallow end and practice. You might try even closing your eyes before flooding during and after. When you master this skill it becomes second nature especially when you find how nice it is to defog your maks effortlessly.

 

[Bob Vincent]

What a lot of divers have is what you are feeling. The best way to overcome it is pool time. Sit in the shallow end and practice. You might try even closing your eyes before flooding during and after. When you master this skill it becomes second nature especially when you find how nice it is to defog your maks effortlessly.

This is great advice.:10:

You might try sitting in the shallow without a mask and just breathing for a bit to your very comfortable. Then go back to clearing.

 

[ruready7]

Welcome. Good luck. I had same problem when doing confined water dives. Poop was 85 degrees and quarry was 56 degrees. Makes a difference. Practice makes perfect. Work in gradually steps and you will get it.

 

[Winterpeg]

There is a whole thread on mask clearing and removal - you will find it very helpful to look it up. Sorry, I am new to this board and don't know how to post the link, but it is in the "New Divers and Those Considering Diving" forum and is entitled "Please Help, I need to get over this fast"