SteveC
Contributor
I just bought a new mask, and for some reason I have trouble blowing air out my nose to equalize on decent. I have to pry it away from my face with my hand as I exhale. Has anyone had this kind of trouble?
Problem equalizing mask
- Thread starter SteveC
- Start date
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How do you clear your mask?
Are you congested?
Are you congested?
OP
SteveC
Contributor
No, I'm not congested. Once I pry it away from my face I can exhale.
Start earlier?
ronbeau
Contributor
OP
SteveC
Contributor
Yea, I tried starting earlyer, but it doesn't seem to help.
The mask strap is probably kinda tight, but I've never had this trouble with any other mask. It kinda seems like it is restricting my nose somehow.
The mask strap is probably kinda tight, but I've never had this trouble with any other mask. It kinda seems like it is restricting my nose somehow.
OceanObsessed
Guest
If it only happens with this mask then perhaps the negative pressure in the mask is causing the nose pocket to seal over your nostrils. From here I think it could be either:
A) When exhaling through your nose the air is escaping under the nose pocket and into the water (not into the mask) and not depressurising the mask. I've seen masks that have a low cut nose pocket where this could potentially happen.
or
B) The negative pressure in your mask and sinus cavity is causing your soft palate to close. With the negative pressure forcefully closing your soft palate you may lack the motor control to open your soft palate to allow air to pass through to equalize your mask. You can read about how the soft palate is used for mask & ear equalization in this document. This document also has some useful excercises to build awareness of the soft palate and gain good motor control over it.
In summary... if your nostrils are not sealed shut by the nose pocket and your soft palate is open then you have an open free flow of air from your mouth to the mask and it should auotmatically equalize without effort during exhale at that point.
Perhaps you can put the mask on out of the water and inhale through your nose a bit to simulate being at depth. From there maybe you can figure it out.
Hope this helps.
-Chris
A) When exhaling through your nose the air is escaping under the nose pocket and into the water (not into the mask) and not depressurising the mask. I've seen masks that have a low cut nose pocket where this could potentially happen.
or
B) The negative pressure in your mask and sinus cavity is causing your soft palate to close. With the negative pressure forcefully closing your soft palate you may lack the motor control to open your soft palate to allow air to pass through to equalize your mask. You can read about how the soft palate is used for mask & ear equalization in this document. This document also has some useful excercises to build awareness of the soft palate and gain good motor control over it.
In summary... if your nostrils are not sealed shut by the nose pocket and your soft palate is open then you have an open free flow of air from your mouth to the mask and it should auotmatically equalize without effort during exhale at that point.
Perhaps you can put the mask on out of the water and inhale through your nose a bit to simulate being at depth. From there maybe you can figure it out.
Hope this helps.
-Chris
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