problem with a skill help please

[Tatakai]

I have been working on my certification for a few months now. Problem is that I have had a month off ffrom classes due to something out of everyones control. I have done the first 14 skills in the O/W. Going back in the water I have no fears. I try to do the skill of clearing my mask and I can't seem to be able to do it again. I keep trying to breath in through my nose for some reason. What can I do to practice these skills at home? I can dive in the pool without the mask and no problems I can swim around and no problems. I need help on this please. Thanks everyone.

tatakai

 

[partridge]

Try breathing with a snorkel and no mask. If you can do this for 2 minutes straight then you should have no problem NOT breathing in through your nose.

 

[Thalassamania]

Work on independent control of your nose and mouth. You can do this at home if need be. Take a full breath and exhale a short sharp burst through your mouth, immediately follow it with one from your nose, one from your mouth, one from your nose and so on until you run out of air. Now repeat the exercise with your face in the water (even a tub will do). Don't stop just because you think your comfortable doing it, 95% confidence that you'll be able to clear your mask without any issue, ever, requires 17 sessions with this skill. When you go to clear your mask in the pool, look down, start with a short sharp burst through your mouth into your regulator and immediately follow it with one from your nose and as you blow through your nose gently press the top of your mask to your face and bring your head up. Your mask will be clear.

 

[khacken]

Snorkel and no mask in your tub should do the trick. Make the water somewhat cool as a better simulation. I found it easier if I exhale through my nose as well, to keep that small bit of water coming in. Also, do what Thalass said before you get wet, that will help out as well.

 

[Firefyter]

Walter has an excellent method for helping you overcome this. Check it out in this post: Mask Clearing

 

[JodiBB]

This is a skill that many people (including myself) have struggled with....follow the links that have been provided and you'll eventually get it....it's like patting your stomach and rubbing your head simultaneously...once you get the coordination of breathing through your mouth without breathing through your nose, it'll become easier. Keep trying! You'll get it!

 

[alo100]

These are v. good suggestions.

Some on land practice for breathing control while at home, see if it helps.
Breath regularly, with our mouths closed, using our noses to breath for a while,
maintain normal breath rate as usual.
then switch suddenly, inhale with our mouths and exhale with our noises for a while. Maintain the same normal breath rate if possible.
Switch back to the noises breathing... and repeat the procedure.
If you find it difficult to switch from the regular nose breathing to suddenly inhale by mouth. Close your eyes, this will increase your concentration.
If you can finish it without any problem, try doing the switching exercise while you're reading.

Hope this help!

 

[emodiver]

hey i had a problem at first swimming without my mask. my instuctor told me to swim with out a mast just gogles and a snorcle in the pool after i got used to it it was easy..
remember when clearing breath out ur nose not in

 

[oceangal]

This is my main problem as well. I've never been comfortable swimming with my face in the water without a mask and the thought of having to fully flood and clear it as well as removing it and re-donning it scares the heck out of me. I've tried some of the above mentioned things and am slowly getting more comfortable but tonight my instructor meets with me one-on-one to work with me in the shallow water. Wish me luck, guys!

 

[scubafool]

Best of luck to you. Mask clearing/breathing without a mask is probably the single most difficult skill for most students. It can be conquered, and you CAN conquer it. All it takes is time and practice.