Potential problem with certification

[retire2disney]

As I have stated before I am anxious to get certified. After reading several threads on this board I feel that I will do fine in the classwork. Once the pool session starts now we could have problems. I can do the swimming and treading waterbut what I have kind of thought about but not to the extent of real world situation. I am severly nearsighted. No problem buy a mask with corrective lenses. (Contacts are totally out of the question. Cant even wear them above water) So as part of the pool sessions you have to take your mask off, throw it to the bottom, swim after it, then clear the mask????? I will be the one asking to point me to the pool beacause I can not see the pool. Now in a real world OW dive is it common for your mask to come off??? I guess I could always attach a large(3'x5') reflective and glow in the dark flag to my mask so I might be able to see it. If the mask coming off in OW is common I might have to put off classes until I see about maybe lasik to fix the eyes. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Rainer]

I assume that I could lose my mask at any point in my dive. You should plan and practice accordingly.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I don't know of any agency that makes you throw your mask down. Any instructor that does this is a moron or a prick. You only need to take it off and replace it. For the no mask swim the instructor usually holds it as you go and then hands it to you to put back on. That's the way we do it.

 

[lifeisfullofgooddives]

in real life it is possible for your mask to completly come off....but that usually doesn't happen. What usually happens is it moves or it rubs up against something or my favorite....someone in front of you kicks you in the face because they aren't paying attention.

Now it is possible for your mask strap to break but, that really doesn't happen often.

My best advice is practice, practice, practice so you are comfortable taking your mask on and putting it back on.

Also you should have a buddy with you at all times so if something does go wrong they should be there to help.

Lots of people have problems with this part of the certification, ask your instructor for any advice on your problem.

Hope everything goes well

 

[Warren_L]

As I have stated before I am anxious to get certified. After reading several threads on this board I feel that I will do fine in the classwork. Once the pool session starts now we could have problems. I can do the swimming and treading waterbut what I have kind of thought about but not to the extent of real world situation. I am severly nearsighted. No problem buy a mask with corrective lenses. (Contacts are totally out of the question. Cant even wear them above water) So as part of the pool sessions you have to take your mask off, throw it to the bottom, swim after it, then clear the mask????? I will be the one asking to point me to the pool beacause I can not see the pool. Now in a real world OW dive is it common for your mask to come off??? I guess I could always attach a large(3'x5') reflective and glow in the dark flag to my mask so I might be able to see it. If the mask coming off in OW is common I might have to put off classes until I see about maybe lasik to fix the eyes. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

If you are taking a PADI course you will not be asked to drop your mask to the bottom and then find it. You are required to be able to clear a flooded mask, remove and replace and clear a flooded mask, and do a no mask swim. But in each case, you will have the mask with you. As far as your mask coming off while diving, it is possible and you need to know how to deal with it, but in my diving experience, I've never lost my mask though I've had students knock my mask out of place on occasion. Not a big deal, though, if you know how to deal with it.

 

[neil]

I don't know of any agency that makes you throw your mask down. Any instructor that does this is a moron or a prick. You only need to take it off and replace it. For the no mask swim the instructor usually holds it as you go and then hands it to you to put back on. That's the way we do it.

Hello, my name is Neil, and I'm not sure whether I'm a moron or a prick....Oh, sorry, what I meant to say was "JimLap, you inexperienced little so-and-so; some of us have students try to find their mask and put it on again as a game or exercise, arguabley simulating a real-work occurence. Even if you don't buy that, it's fun and a great confidence builder". And we don't throw them we place them. That's the way WE do it.

 

[retire2disney]

Ok it took me a little while but I found the thread that I was refering to
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=179691
It turns out they were taking the course through a university. I dont think I would have a problem clearing mask from what I have read here and I am sure the instructor will have pointers.
Good point if I loose it while in OW have the buddy do the work to find my mask!!!

 

[SkullDeformity]

Can you not wear contacts due to a medical condition or are you just uncomfortable with them? Nobody said they were going to be comfortable at first, once you get used to them over several weeks you'll wonder why you ever wore glasses. I hated my contacts when I first got them, but now I love them. I have an extra mask in my pocket if I were to lose my mask and my buddy couldn't find it, so if it is a really big concern for you, buy two masks.

 

[retire2disney]

as far as the contacts go it is a medical condition it is known commonly as "in my head you are not going to stick your finger in my eye" I have tried to wear them before but when the opthalmogist (sp??) takes an hour to put in one and then looks at you and ask "are you sure you want them?" I can not even watch my wife put her contacts in without my eyes watering up.

 

[SkullDeformity]

Yeah, you have to work through it. What's the big deal? Save yourself the money by putting in a little more effort.