Sorry! another mask removal question!

[Joanne Hughes]

I am newly OW certified (PADI) and have always had mask clearing fears, which I have managed to combat due to many extra hours partice in the pool, and a very supportive instructor. Funnily enough, at my check out dives at Stoneycove in the uk, very cold and 2m viz, I had no problem with them as I was so determined to master it. I am soon going to St Lucia where I have booked some dives at Anse Chastenet reef and I am told will have to do mask removal prior to the first shore dive. My concern is that I am able to do the mask removal and replacement easily now, BUT I have to keep my eyes shut as I wear contacts. Will I be able to do this on my holiday dive do you think, as I have not dived in salt water yet. The dive shop say that we have to do certain skills first before being allowed to dive.

 

[dougaldiver]

Shouldn't be a problem. Let the DM or instructor know that you wear contacts and they won't have a problem with you keeping your eyes shut. I've had this on numerous occasions and it's never a problem

 

[divingjd]

Lots of people dive with contacts, so they should be aware of it and it shouldn't be a problem. Scuba St. Lucia is a good operation. You should have a good time.

 

[Firefyter]

While this is a skill that definitely needs to be mastered, I have yet to have anybody ask me to perform skills while on a dive vacation. I have never been to St. Lucia, either, so YMMV. Don't worry, go have fun

 

[RICHinNC]

I have but for the life of me I cant remember what operation it was. They had all of us enter the water, slightly submerge and clear mask. Not sure the reason as a few of the divers hadnt seen their gear in years and clearing masks was the least of their problems. Not a lot came back the next day.

 

[RonFrank]

I wear contacts. Just keep your eyes shut! I also carry a spare set (in fact several) while on vacation.

If you can do the mask removal in a pool, you can do it in OW!

Just don't drop the mask while doing it, as then you WILL have to open your eyes to find the dern thing!

I've actually opened my eyes UW wearing contacts without a mask. I did NOT loose my contacts which was surprising, but I would not recommend this if you want to keep them in your eyeballs!

 

[Walter]

Once, I was required to do a check out dive before I was allowed to dive on my own, but the check out dive was diving on my own. They never even got in the water.

 

[JeffG]

Once, I was required to do a check out dive before I was allowed to dive on my own, but the check out dive was diving on my own. They never even got in the water.

Did you pass?

 

[fishoutawater]

I've never been asked to remove my mask either.
I do wear contacts though, and that was a concern of mine when I was first certified.
I kept my eyes closed for the test.
I did get my mask knocked off once, and I had to open my eyes to find my mask.
When I put it back on and cleared it, I was pleasently surprised to still have both of them in. But I did have to blink a bit to get them to realign with my pupils.
Just take some extra lenses, disinfecting saline, and a stainless camp mirror with you, and keep a pair of old glasses in your dive kit as a last resort.

 

[fishoutawater]

Did you pass?

:lol: :lol: :lol: