Today's lesson, courtesy Mother Ocean

[rongoodman]

Two comments on earlier posts.: TSandM, I'll fly to Seattle in a heartbeat should you decide to start teaching. And what is "bingo air"?

 

[TSandM]

Thanks for the compliment, Ron, but why would anybody think that someone who has a panic attack over being unable to clear her mask should be teaching anybody ANYTHING?

 

[Hank49]

Thanks for the compliment, Ron, but why would anybody think that someone who has a panic attack over being unable to clear her mask should be teaching anybody ANYTHING?

If I was going to learn how NOT to wreck a car, I would want a teacher who has wrecked a few times...

 

[rongoodman]

In all seriousness, the way you write puts this whole process of learning to dive into perspective. The learning and teaching process docs go through is a plus in my book too.

 

[plankspanker]

Thanks for the compliment, Ron, but why would anybody think that someone who has a panic attack over being unable to clear her mask should be teaching anybody ANYTHING?

anyone who dives as much as you do is going to run into an issue here and there and though it may seem basic to you it really wasn't. Clearing the mask isn't the issue as much as not having a visual or tactical reference combined with being on a deep wall.

Had it been someplace with a shallow bottom at the most you would have crashed on the bottom, gotten sorted out, scolded yourself for silting and continued the dive. The thought of maybe dropping to 300 would freak out a lot of people so with that in mind, other than not signaling, you did really well.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Great post, Lynne! First, look for a new mask. If you're clearing it that often you need a better fit. I have a mask that had a slight leak to it. I dealt with it in fresh water, but then I did a few salt water dives and couldn't stand the burning eyes. Found a new mask and now I only clear when I let a little water in to clean up the lenses. Second, begin your cave training. You'll become quite proficient at diving with a blacked out mask or no mask at all.

For your practice, take a spare mask and duct tape it. During the dive, find a safe place, run a line from one rock to another, change to the taped mask, then swim back and forth on the line a few times. Make sure you loop the line around some rocks in between tie offs after the first few times to add a little variety and "stress" to the drill. And make sure Bob's there with you! Also, make sure you peel the tape off immediately after the dive so residue doesn't stay on the mask.

 

[dsteding]

Thanks for the compliment, Ron, but why would anybody think that someone who has a panic attack over being unable to clear her mask should be teaching anybody ANYTHING?

These are precisely the types I want to learn from, Lynne. People who have been in these situations, and have worked through them using diligent thought and practice.

If/when you ever decide to become an instructor, you'll make a great one. You have the right combination of love for diving, patience with newbies, and a unique ability to break things down in a way that people can understand. Combine those with the requisite training and experience, and you'll make a great instructor. You are already a great mentor.

 

[MikeFerrara]

Hey Lynne,

Do some diving without a mask. Remove it at some point during most dives. At least let your eyes get used to interpreting blury visual references before putting it back on. You can't read your guages but you can see well enough to get around. You may need a mask to see well but you don't need one to dive.

I think you already got most of them but we could go on and on about some of the things you might have done but you'd have thought of them at the time had you not been rattled. Get rid of the rattle.

 

[Cacia]

I wonder if you are catching the edge of your hood with the skirt. Did you ever figure out what the problem clearing it was?

 

[do it easy]

I wonder if you are catching the edge of your hood with the skirt. Did you ever figure out what the problem clearing it was?

My mask almost never leaks, but it was leaking up a flood a few dives ago. I figured out that if I lower the strap behind my head an inch or so, the leak stops. It boggles me that it would work, but it does...

I'm sissy when it comes to mask skills- I'm always afraid that if I get a full flood, that I'll get an instant brain freeze. And, I shut my eyes when the mask is off. That's in fresh water too.

Anyhow, nice work surviving the super high intensity training. Now you're ready for Mother Ocean's next test...