Picky question from a recent SSI Basic Scuba graduate ...
In the multiple-choice section of the course, one of the questions was "why does the mask have a nose-pocket?"
The official answer was to allow equalisation whilst descending (as stated in the manual), whereas I put 'to avoid mask squeeze'. Surely one can equalise the ears/sinuses without a nose-pocket by holding nose/blowing in the usual way - since the nose is sealed by the fingers, what use is the nose-pocket ?
However, the nose-pocket is the only means of introducing air into the mask in a mask squeeze situation, so exhaling into the mask via nose is the only way of avoiding mask squeeze.
Any support out there ? There could be a few beers riding on this one ...
In the multiple-choice section of the course, one of the questions was "why does the mask have a nose-pocket?"
The official answer was to allow equalisation whilst descending (as stated in the manual), whereas I put 'to avoid mask squeeze'. Surely one can equalise the ears/sinuses without a nose-pocket by holding nose/blowing in the usual way - since the nose is sealed by the fingers, what use is the nose-pocket ?
However, the nose-pocket is the only means of introducing air into the mask in a mask squeeze situation, so exhaling into the mask via nose is the only way of avoiding mask squeeze.
Any support out there ? There could be a few beers riding on this one ...