What is MOF and NMOF?

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Some people take it very seriously. Back when we were training for water rescue at work with our helicopter program, I had one of our chiefs tell us that a mask on a forehead would guarantee a rescue swimmer sent out to us.
 
Just out of curiousity, when did this fad come in and when did it go out?
 
Some people take it very seriously. Back when we were training for water rescue at work with our helicopter program, I had one of our chiefs tell us that a mask on a forehead would guarantee a rescue swimmer sent out to us.

When I ran the Canadian Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Program, it cost the trainee a mile swim in openwater. If your completing a rescue as a professional in surf or waves it's one thing, but for a recreational diver diving in perfect conditions it's something completely different.

The idea behind not putting the mask on the foreheaf is to prevent loss in heavy surf. The idea that a maskless diver is in need of rescue is ridiculous. I teach divers to pull the mask down around the neck if they wish to remove it; either way, it's not on the face. :-)
 
I sure don't know when it got blown out of proportion like it is today

my instructor put it this way, it MAY mean that the person is stressed and to look at them to see if there are any other indications (I've seen it first hand in my rescue class, a person was under stress and thats the first thing they did with their mask)
... the word distress was not used and I think it's silly to think that is what it means
 
Are y'all really going to go through this whole urban legend of the MOF thing again? There are MOF and NMOF divers and there is no changing the minds. Anecdotal, hearsay-isms don't a truth make.

Drowning people, and as a lifeguard and lifeguard instructor, I have seen a few, don't set their masks or do rags in a specific position to signal they are drowning or stressed. Stressed?, is that like half drowning or is that like Oh, s000t, I paid 150 dollars for scubie lessons and now here I am in deep water and my tosies don't touch bottom?


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Yes, I've made many real life friends from that thread and was able to meet and dive with many from SBers from So Fl and So Cal.

So are you just a Southern girl at heart? :crafty:
 
When I learned to dive my instructor did explane to me that you should not wear your mask on your forehead and why, but, does any one know the origin of this display of distress?
 
For my school, putting the mask on the forehead is simply a lack of respect to the fellow divers.
MOF means that you are some one that has learned to dive in the wrong way.
Not taking things so seriously the reason is that if you fall back to the water when climbing the ladder to the boat, the mask can be swept by the water and you will lose it.
 
Mask on forehead, not smart. It will get washed away in the current while yore swimming out to your dive site on your back. Ask me how I know? My ex- husband ruined our dive day after a two hour trip to Seattle. Of course, he didn't even have a spare!
 

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