Post dive mucus

[zekethesheik]

I noticed upon surfacing after every dive last week up in the Browning Pass BC area I had a big ball of fairly bright orange mucus that I expectorated. Not to get too gross, but it was kind of "airy", too.

Any thoughts or experience?
Thanks

 

[Lee Taylor]

The pressure differences cause it. Its common. Always clear your face after a dive. Some peoples blood vessels are close to the surface and break easily causing the coloration.

 

[*dave*]

Diving is a mucous intensive sport. A good buddy will always do a boog check for you once you surface and prior to interacting with others.

 

[DennisW]

Isn't SCUBA a glamorous sport?

 

[diverdoug1]

Blood tinged mucus after a diver can commonly be a result of sinus barotrauma. Frequent gentle clearing on descent and slowing your ascent rate can help, but not always eliminate this.

 

[reefduffer]

I get it with some regularity, a little red-orange goop inside my mask. It doesn't really bother me, I'm long past being grossed out by what my body does, it doesn't hurt (in fact I don't know it's happening except visually) and I don't feel "at risk" as a result. Except ...

One time earlier this year, it happened at depth, and I just couldn't figure out what the black stuff that was obscuring my vision was. As it happened, I was already a little stressed, very cold local water and my first time on the Yukon, and diving in thick kelp, but I couldn't feel anything external. And I had a new mask on, so I was a little worried it was exuding something from the skirt. Turns out I was just too deep to see red. As I ascended, it started to turn orange, and I had an aha! moment, and was back to normal - no longer worried, just annoyed.

It kind of put me over the top stress-wise though, couldn't hold my safety stop, and I scrubbed the second dive.