View Full Version : Mask Clearing Techniques
ok getting to the part of full mask clearing and this is a bit of a problem i can take off the mask completly and breath no problem at all under the water without the mask this i dont find hard BUT!! when i go to put the mask on it seems like i cant clear the mask at all with water it seems like the pressure of water by putting the mask on just seems to drown me.
i can even breath with the mask half filled but like i said only when i take the mask off fully and put back on i get the problem
any advice or will this come in pratice
Michelle Haywood
17-09-2006, 13:10
Bernie
Have you tried to blow a little air out through your nose as you put your mask back on. It sounds like you are forcing the water back into your nose as the mask goes back on your face. Try to exhale a little through your nose as the mask touches your face. Its the same sort of blow out that you would use to clear, but not the full job. This should reduce the water pressure in your mask and make you a bit happier.
Michelle
thanks will defenatley gives this ago!!
Tim Ahern
17-09-2006, 18:10
Hi.
Another tactic would to put the mask over your face but do not pull the strap over your head. Then breathe out to clear it.
Good luck.
Chris Cherrington
17-09-2006, 18:29
Hi.
Another tactic would to put the mask over your face but do not pull the strap over your head. Then breathe out to clear it.
Good luck.
The best way to clear a mask is to put an airspace in it before putting the strap back over your head. The advantage is this gives you back your sight to see if the strap is OK and to watch for other hazards etc. etc.
The downside is that if you have air in your hood getting the strap back on can be problematic. Squash the hood flat before pulling the strap back over your head.
Many new divers are uncomfortable without a mask on and rush to get back into their comfort zone, making a mess of things in the process.
Bernie, the best thing is to take your time and use your brain. What you are doing is against a million years of evolution. Don't be surprised if its difficult at first. Oh and practice from time to time when you have finished the course, you'd be surprised how quick these skills are forgotten. I stripped the backup regulator twice on my trimix course before it dawned on me I wasn't purging it and that was why I kept getting a gob full of water!!!
Chris
scubarab
18-09-2006, 13:13
Hi Bernie
Well this is taking me back some 5 years or so now and i still hate it :eek: but the best advice I got was from the forum, one of the techniques I was told was to practise at home, in the bathroom fill the mask with water and leave it on for a min or two then try to clear it slowly at first,( you feel like a bit of a twit having the cylinder and reg in the bathroom) but ignore other people who can clear with one blow it does not matter how many times you have to blow to clear, be in your own comfort zone, I also have found that starting to clear slowly with my chin down then raising up worked for me. I still hate it but every week in the pool do it and it will become second nature ( not nice) but a lot easier.
Good luck
Regards
Rab
Hi Bernie!
I am struggling with exactly the same problem so I sympathize!! I seem to be OK until I try to get the mask back on- theres something about fiddling with the strap that makes me lose my concentration on the breathing and start snorting water!!:(
Still, we must persevere!! I going to try the tip about clearing before the strap goes on.....this will be my third session struggling with it :( Let me know how you are getting on?!!
Would love to hear from any experienced divers that took ages to master this skill?? Preferably someone who took about eight months!!!
Oh and does anyone have any tips about how my instructor can while away the time while I persistently half drown myself??....poor man is looking so bored......
Yvonne.
Mike Halligan
20-09-2006, 08:50
Would love to hear from any experienced divers that took ages to master this skill?? Preferably someone who took about eight months!!!
At a guess, the mask strap is too tight. Our sub-conscious tells us that tight is good, when in fact the opposite is true. In the pool, the strap needs only to stop the mask slipping round the head, otherwise water pressure will hold it on. [In open water, a bit more tension will counteract the dynamic effects of moving water - but still far less than you instinctively feel is necessary.]
Steel yourself and set the mask strap at the longest you feel you dare. You'll almost certainly be able to loosen by one notch each side once you're comfortable.
Oh and does anyone have any tips about how my instructor can while away the time while I persistently half drown myself??....poor man is looking so bored......
He will have his own coping mechanism. For now, he's trying to avoid pressuring you and a look of realtive indifference is one strategy. One day he will let you into the secret - when you become ADI.
Welcome to scuba and best of luck,
Mike
The tip i always tell my trainees is simple...."think of an elephant !!! "
after the guffs and laughter has died down i explain.....
quiet a few problems are started in mask clearing because water gets into the nose before any technique is started, the head is tilted back and the water then begins the "oh god im drowning" scenario.
My technique...if you think about an elephant when it trumpets....it doesnt lift its head hi and blow....it starts to blow while its head is still pointing forwards....continue to blow all the way as it raises its head and then even sometimes blows a little as its head is brought back down to forward position again....in effect this just means a constant blow all the way up and all the way down....but it does stop any water getting into the nose to begin with.....
this is easyier to do than explain, but next time u start 2 mask clear, remember the elephant and its trumpeting..and see if it helps :D
Starwatcher
20-09-2006, 15:55
My son's been in the pool learning this week and described exactly the same problem, with apparent pressure causing problems.
He and the instructor worked it out in a second pool session that he'd been inadvertantly breathing out through his mouth at the same time as his nose.
He developed the technique of blocking the regulator with his tongue when clearing, and now finds it easy.
Best Regards,
Mark
He and the instructor worked it out in a second pool session that he'd been inadvertantly breathing out through his mouth at the same time as his nose.
If that is the problem then he should work on the technique of separating his air flow between his mouth and nose. I find for most people pushing the tongue against the roof of the mouth switches to the nose only, this then teaches the muscle movement necessary to switch at will so you can then not worry about what the tongue is doing
Starwatcher
22-09-2006, 13:37
Thanks Pete, we'll give that a go. Back in the pool tonight.
Cheers,
Mark
ok failed quite misserable again so would it help in any way if i brought a mask with a purge button on it:)
It seems like people have lots of different ways of clearing their masks! I've read that people have trouble with their straps and end up losing concentration and snorting water. I bought myself one of those neoprene covers for the mask strap. It is sooo much easier to put the mask on, no fiddly bits and twisted straps!
I agree with the 'elephant' idea, its what club swimmers are taught when they roll over at the wall. Always trickle some air out of your nose, otherwise water finds its way up when you force your mask against up against your face! With some practise you will end up finding a way that suits you. Good luck and keep practising :)
Rich
Gary Sedgwick
27-09-2006, 15:35
Can you clear the mask without any problem when it's half flooded? And can you clear it fully flooded, without removing it off your head? If not then you should master that before moving on to removing the mask completely.
If you can clear the mask fully-flooded without removing it, some things to watch out for when refitting:
Is the mask being replaced in exactly the same position it came from? I remember one dive (assessment for Sports Diver!) where I just couldn't clear my mask, despite having a great track record with mask clears, and at the surface someone suggested it looked marginally higher up on my face. It was, and meant there was no space between my nostrils and the bottom of the nose pocket. I then did a perfect removal and clear minutes afterwards.
Check the skirt of the mask isn't buckled or has anything trapped in it (the ends of the strap, hair, any of the hood if you're wearing one) when offering it up to your face. I think your instructor would have spotted this though.
Do check the strap isn't too tight. You can also relieve any pressure in the mask caused when pulling the strap over your head by the other hand that's holding the frame of the mask on your face - just hold the frame tight and take the tension of pulling the strap over. Is it this part of the exercise specifically that is causing the problems?
Once you've got the mask back on, just take a few moments to compose yourself, relax, get your breathing back to normal, and think of elephants :) . If you can clear your mask fully flooded before it's removed, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to clear it now!
Hope that helps. Stick with it, I've seen so many people frustrated with mask clears, and then so happy once they figure out the usually silly thing that was causing a problem!
John Bantin
27-09-2006, 19:36
I used to ask new trainees who had trouble to blow their nose on a tissue.
Then I would ask them to blow their nose without the tissue.
Then I would ask them to wear their mask and blow their nose.
Then I would get them to wear their mask with a little water in it and blow their nose.
Then I would get them to bubble out through their nose while holding the top of the mask.
Then they just found they could tilt their head back while they did it.
Step by step, moving from a familair habit to the same manoeuvre in an unfamiliar mode.
If you know how to blow your nose, you will eventually know how to clear your mask.
well im back there tomorrow thursday i have been trying in the bath lol with some success so hopefully will be able to do it on the night ive done most of the course but this is really holding me back must get it done because hopefully getting out of the pool for a real dive end of october so fingers crossed on this one will give all the advice a real good go..:)
David Lisk
28-09-2006, 14:18
I thnk Wolfy's 'think of an elephant' tip is very good and hopefully will work for you.
My Daughter had similar problems learning to mask clear and this technique solved the problem.
Now qualified as a sports diver when she did her Assistant Instructior course, and by now 'an expert' in mask clearing, as part of the pool lesson each trainee instructor had to take off their mask pass it around their back refit and clear. She did this but managed to put the mask on upside down and clear it. Once she realised she refitted it the right way up.
At the end of the course everyone is usually asked what new thing have they learned, the Instructor trainers are also asked this question, to which one replied 'I learnt that you can actually put a mask on upside down and clear it'.
Of course members of her group had great delight on telling me the story when I went to pick her up.
So keep practicing.
David
success!!!! i bloody done it the problem was my mask was to tight was the main reason and my breathing was my other problem........also my instrctor did realise one thing that hes never seen before when i breathe in through my reg i also for some strange reason at the SAME TIME breathe out through my nose can anyone put a explanation to this??:)
Congratulations, I was about to say, try clearing it without the mask strap on, and make sure when the mask strap is on you can get the air out, I have done my first two ocean diver "open water" dives at vivvian in Snowden.
I had a couple of problems with ym mask clearing when i first started, due to sinus' slightly blocked. As people have said blow your nose is allways a good tip before diving.
Any way,
Regards and hope to see you soon
when i breathe in through my reg i also for some strange reason at the SAME TIME breathe out through my nose can anyone put a explanation to this??:)
Never seen this before but it is to do with seperation of air ways.
In normal breathing it does not matter whether you breath through your nose, mouth or both, people therefore often loose the skill. Under water and particularly mask clearing it does matter. OK you can now do it but you need to make it second nature, so practice! You do not have to be underwater to practice, waiting at the bus stop, driving, watching TV, just practice. With mouth open (only has to be slightly so you don't look a dork) breath in through your mouth then out through your mouth, in through your mouth out through your nose, repeat.
Hi,
My mother had this problem, and was told by our instructor to wear the mask when watching tv etc and concentrate on not breathing out through her nose.
Best not to do it when out in general public as you will look like a doofus though.
It worked for her didnt take to long, and if you do it out of the water you dont have to concentrate on doing it on, but the airway seperation in the post above thing is the same sort idea
Ben Panter
02-10-2006, 11:46
....also my instrctor did realise one thing that hes never seen before when i breathe in through my reg i also for some strange reason at the SAME TIME breathe out through my nose can anyone put a explanation to this??Too much playing the digeridoo.
Ben
Adrian Kelland
02-10-2006, 11:58
Too much playing the digeridoo.
Ben
Aye, there are musicians who struggle to develop circular breathing. Never got it myself :(
hi i have been having the same problem clearimg my mask, i was shown how to clear my mask on friday, i was shown to remove the mask once it clear take your time and don't panic do it slowly take a deep breath and the push your togue to the roof of your mouth and hold it there put the mask over your face and as your doing this breath out through your noise with your head tilted back put two fingers on your mask ubove the bridge of your nose and push on your head with the mask firmly on you head take another deep breath (only if it not cleared ) and breath out through your nose again it the mask is clear the hold the mask on your face with one hand and pull the strap over your head
hope this help
good luck
davelliott
18-10-2006, 15:08
This thread has been both interesting and helpful,thanks.
My experiences have been that in the pool I've had no problems with removal/replacing/clearing. But on Sunday tried in open water (2nd open water dive). Clearing was ok, but when it came to removing and replacing the mask I struggled. Not sure if it was just one problem though. Was wearing a hood and gloves too, the hood seemed to impair strap positioning (and seal around my face) and the gloves made it difficult to move the strap around and check the positioning and whether the strap was twisted or not.
Is this a common problem? Are there any ways of minimising the problems I experienced (did think about thinner gloves, but really like 'warm' hands).
Cheers, Dave
This thread has been both interesting and helpful,thanks.
My experiences have been that in the pool I've had no problems with removal/replacing/clearing. But on Sunday tried in open water (2nd open water dive). Clearing was ok, but when it came to removing and replacing the mask I struggled. Not sure if it was just one problem though. Was wearing a hood and gloves too, the hood seemed to impair strap positioning (and seal around my face) and the gloves made it difficult to move the strap around and check the positioning and whether the strap was twisted or not.
Is this a common problem? Are there any ways of minimising the problems I experienced (did think about thinner gloves, but really like 'warm' hands).
It is harder with hood and gloves. My mask skirt sits under the seal of my hood so after replacing it I have to pull the hood away from my face with a finger and thumb and let it ping back into place.
Thinner gloves work, but you're better off practicing. Then you will be slick and have warm hands. You can always take your mask and gloves down the pool and practice there.
Janos
Bryan Harrison
18-10-2006, 16:07
Hi Bernie, Hi Yvonne,
Ditto to all of the above.
I have just passed my SD qualification and I spent a whole evenings pool session doing mask clearing to get myself ready for the 'real' one on the test. When it came down to it, it was so easy I almost asked if I could do it again.
It definitely helps if you don't raise your head until after you have started to blow!
I also put my tongue at the top of my mouth. It seems to help give a steady blow instead of a stuttering one if I don't do it:confused:
One of our instructors said to do at least one mask clear on every dive - especially as you go deeper, and get into colder water - that way you will be so used to taking your mask off when it does finally get knocked of for real it wont be such a shock and you can deal with it sensibly and calmly.
Oh and another piece of advice make sure you're not in a swarm of common/moon jellyfish when you do your mask clear:eek:
Good luck with your training guys and welcome to the wonderful world of diving.
Bryan
Thalassamania
20-10-2006, 04:00
When new divers have trouble clearing their mask the problem is usually that they have not learned to independently control their nose and mouth. Try this:
1) At the surface, with your head out of the water and no mask, take a full breath and then alternate short bursts of exhalation between your nose and mouth. After you’ve done this several times take another full breath, and do the same thing, only this time submerge your entire face after a few cycles on the surface. Repeat this until you are very comfortable (or feel truely very stupid<G>).
2) Now put your mask on and repeat the process. Start out of the water, move to face submerged, DO NOT FLOOD YOUR MASK.
3) Now repeat the process, but flood your mask after your first exhalation with your face in the water.
4) Now try and clear your mask, fully submerged, as per normal.
5) Let me know how this works for you.
I always 'strongly suggest' that students practice in the pool with a hood & gloves prior to the open water exercise. For this specific reason.
It's like everything else, with practice you get better. Often individuals 'trim' their hoods to make mask fitting easier. Remember if you trim too much off you are going to get cold!
Also, make sure the mask strap isn't too tight. This is a comman mistake, made worse when you are wearing a hood.
Gareth
trwen555
27-11-2009, 19:11
.....it starts to blow while its head is still pointing forwards....continue to blow all the way as it raises its head and then even sometimes blows a little as its head is brought back down to forward position again....in effect this just means a constant blow all the way up and all the way down....but it does stop any water getting into the nose to begin with....
:D
Yes, I'd have to say that was the way that helped me do it successfully every time...gentle blow out all the way up and down...and after my daughter told me that tip and before I'd had time to practice much, I was given a different mask to use on my last training dive which didn't fit very well....and as I was having to do some skills like CESA which meant going down a fair way I HAD to clear it - my anxiety had been transferred to the CESA, and the mask was just an irritation I had to deal with...by the end of that dive I was doing it easily and not even thinking about it.
voltiana
30-11-2009, 16:55
Hi.
Another tactic would to put the mask over your face but do not pull the strap over your head. Then breathe out to clear it.
Good luck.
Trust me this method works well
Volty
Maria CM
30-11-2009, 18:43
Hi.
Another tactic would to put the mask over your face but do not pull the strap over your head. Then breathe out to clear it.
Good luck.
I always found that made life easier.
best wishes,
Maria
All good advice. Breath out a little when putting the mask back on. I personally prefer to clear the mask before putting the strap back on. Remember when clearing to push the mask against your head at the top rather than the middle or bottom. If you don't, then the chances are that the exhaled air through your nose will just go up and out at the top, without clearing any water.
James.
Push your tongue against the roof of your mouth it stops air going through your mouth. Also good to practice clearing with one hand after mastering it with 2.
Nigel Hewitt
05-01-2010, 20:02
Mask off drills seem to be a 'normal' feature of a tech diving course to the point where you get bored with it.
I wrote it up so I'll just do a link (http://www.nigelhewitt.co.uk/diving/rant/index.html#airway) rather than bore the usual suspects again.
If I may add my tuppeneth...
I was surprised to find that I found mask clearing difficult because, as mentioned earlier, with water in my nose my reaction was to think I was drowning, subconsciously, and I couldn't "breathe" out.
For me the "think of blowing your nose" trick worked for me.
It's not so much a gentle expiration of air but a ruddy good snort which feels more like a muscular facial thing than a lung thing?!?(I know what I mean...) Once you have started with a good old snort you can then follow with the expiration.
vBulletin v3.5.4, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.