Wanna Keep My Eyes Open...

[Erik Il Rosso]

...Yes, I want to, while I am underwater (salt water), problem is that as soon as I take my mask off my face my eyes shut and this is a very big problem for me...

It is somenthing that I do not like to stay in the water with my eyes shut because I do not know what is happening around me...
I know that without mask everything will look blurry but seeing something blurry is better than not seeing anything at all...

Bottom line is, what can I do to keep my eyes open ???

I need a method to control my brain because I know it is my brain that sends the message "Close-Eyes" as soon as I take my mask off...

Ciao Erik Il Rosso

 

[Michael Schlink]

You might want to try starting out in a fresh water pool first, some people find saltwater burns more. After you remove your mask (if you had one on) slowly open your eyes, even if it's just for a few seconds, then repeat until you can keep them open, then move on to saltwater- By the way what ever happened with your leaking wing? Were you able to repair it?-M

 

[RikRaeder]

I had a mask flooding incident on my cert. dive in Saipan last November. Strap was too loose (rookie mistake) and as soon as I submerged my mask slowly filled up. I reflexively closed my eyes when it got up around my nose.
Deciding to take a peek and look for my partners, I found that you can't see anything through saltwater without a mask.
I'm pretty good at keeping my eyes open in highly chlorinated pools and even when swimming in the ocean. Saipan is much clearer than California, but I saw nada, zilch, bupkus, diddley. As far as I'm concerned, when I lose my mask (sure to happen sometime), I'll just keep 'em closed and hope my buddy hands it over.

 

[Aquatic Eagle]

"I had a mask flooding incident on my cert. dive in Saipan last November. Strap was too loose (rookie mistake)"

If the mask fits correctly, you shouldn't need the strap at all.

I open my eyes underwater in the ocean all the time and I don't feel anything. Saltwater is like saline solution you use for eye drops. It's a little saltier but pretty much the same thing from what I understand. I even open my eyes underwater with my contacts in and I've never had a problem. I find that the chlorine in pools burns a lot more than saltwater does. Just open your eyes gradually and they will get used to it.

 

[DandyDon]

Yeah, get in a pool for a swim, try opening your eyes underwater more until you get over the problem - practice, practice. Then try clean saltwater, doesn't hurt much after you get used to it.

 

[SwimJim]

I think its more of a reaction from not being used to having water on your face. As mentioned above get in a pool and practice or in the shallows somewhere. You'll get used to it. When I was young I used to swim underwater with my eyes open all the time. This irritates my eyes now and I look like I'm stoned when I come out of the water. I can still see though without a mask, albeit blurry. This is important if you some how manage to get your mask wiped off. Depending on a buddy to fix your problems is a recipe for disaster.

Jim

 

[hvulin]

If I'm not on scuba I still dive with my mouth and eyes wide open... Never had any problem in the water, but I did feel the salt after going out of the sea (when it started to dry)... After you get out it's important to keep your hands away from your eyes (it will iritate it even more), just wipe them once (I've been taught to just kick my head left-right a couple of times and not even use my hands to do it - I've been playing water handball and you can't play it if you're constantly wiping your eyes) and leave it to dry...

 

[Erik Il Rosso]

You might want to try starting out in a fresh water pool first, some people find saltwater burns more. After you remove your mask (if you had one on) slowly open your eyes, even if it's just for a few seconds, then repeat until you can keep them open, then move on to saltwater- By the way what ever happened with your leaking wing? Were you able to repair it?-M

I must try and keep those damn eyes open underwater, I will start with a couple of seconds and then I will try to keep them open for a longer time...

Regarding my leaking wing (Pioneer) Halcyon Italy took it back and replaced it (after paying a premium) with a brand new Eclipse 40 lbs...
Needless to say that it is much better that diving with your wing repaired...

Ciao Erik Il Rosso

 

[scubatexastony]

the salinity of sea water is fairly close to that of tears. Seems logical, as I have no problem opening my eyes while flooding or removing my mask, although like mentioned the veiw is quite a bit blury. Pool water is a LOT tougher on my eyes.

Try flooding your mask first and breathing comfortably, open you eyes, the current and bubbles from your reg won't be affecting your eyes as much, then when comfortable, remove your mask.

tony

 

[friscuba]

Am I the only one here who finds the chlorine in freshwater pools far more irritating than saltwater? Having the mask off and eyes is no troubles for me, at least where I'm diving currently, what stings is when they dry after clearing the mask. Maybe it's something you get used to.

Aloha,