Secret to breathing without mask?

[RonMurray]

I hate to admit this but I seem to have more problems than average with breathing without the mask. Water just wants to come in my nose, driving me crazy. I practiced this skill in the pool last night for about 30 minutes with a snorkel and seemed to get a little better, but not as much as I would like and I was wondering is there is a trick that you might have discovered to make this easier? I was certified back in 1976 and remember dreading that skill then too.

Reveal your secrets to me!

 

[victor]

Ron
Practise is the best way. Breathing in through the snorkel and out through my nose worked for me. That way I kept clearing my nose, and helped keep my ears clear.
I always had problems in the pool as the clorine stung my eyes. Swimming lengths in lanes was one way to get fit and do some practise at the same time.
Just keep on practising, it is a very important skill, one I have used numerous times for real.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Don't inhale through your nose.

Seriously though it is easier for some people than others so don't get discouraged and keep practising.

Ditto the exhale through your nose. It helps me maintain a pattern - in the mouth, out the nose. It's hard to describe but not inhaling through your nose always feels to me like it involves moving the soft pallate up slightly to block the airway to my nose.

 

[scarefaceDM]

I tried this methode in a pool.

Since I dive with contacts and removing my mask and seeing where I am going is well...a need...I used swim goggles. Protected my eyes and contacts. I remaind at a shallow depth around 4-6 feet and swam slowly around. Remaind motionless and just relaxed. Moved around to get use to no nose protection and exhaling through my nose to prevent water sneaking in. I did that a few times. I am also a little bothered by the bubbles up my nose but it is not as bad as the first time.

I also put my hand under my nose to block the bubbles when I feel the need...when swimming without a mask on. or motionless while doing a mask drill.

In the event of a mask loss while diving. I always carry a spare, so I practice a mask loss drill and replace...with eyes closed of course.

the key is to relax.

 

[jbd]

One recommendation I have heard is to think of breathing through a drinking straw---which is essentially what you are doing with your snorkle breathing practice. You are headed in the right direction.

 

[bvmjethead]

I never hear it mentioned here....So assuming there must be some kind of divers taboo....

What's wrong with using a swimmers nose pinch device?

 

[victor]

You need to be able to breathe out through your nose to stop mask squeeze.
Also it would be a little difficult to put your mask on over it.

I never hear it mentioned here....So assuming there must be some kind of divers taboo....

What's wrong with using a swimmers nose pinch device?

 

[Dive-aholic]

Here's a post I made a few months ago detailing how I get my students to do this. Hope it helps!

 

[Walter]

I was wondering is there is a trick that you might have discovered to make this easier?

Try this.

I never hear it mentioned here....So assuming there must be some kind of divers taboo....

What's wrong with using a swimmers nose pinch device?

If you always have one ready to slip on instantly when your mask gets bumped - nothing unless of course you're working to master a skill for a class. OTOH, it's best not to be overly equipment dependent.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I never hear it mentioned here....So assuming there must be some kind of divers taboo....

What's wrong with using a swimmers nose pinch device?

Mostly the skill of breathing without a mask is a safety thing to ensure you can still breathe if your mask is flooded or dislodged.

Nose plugs solve the breathing without the mask problem, but they complicate the equalization of the mask during the other 99.99% of your diving.