BlueTuna
Registered
Hey everyone,
So, I've just completed my second class (out of 3) for OW certification, and I'm really struggling to clear my mask. Our scuba instructor had us review the stuff we did in Class 1, including mask-clearing and taught us a new skill that involved removing our mask underwater. Both times I struggled.
I'm a little uneasy about removing my mask, but I can usually keep water out of my nose. However, when it comes to putting my mask back on, or flooding it, I just can't seem manage to get it cleared. Instead, I just end up getting water up my nose/in my sinuses or choking on water that went down the wrong pipe.
The only way I can describe it I have a slight feeling of panic of water going up my nose the moment I tilt my head upward with water in my mask. I know I'm safe, but when I try to exhale, through my nose, it does nothing to the water in my mask. My instructor is telling me that I'm not blowing through my nose enough, and I'm exhaling too much through my mouth.
He took me aside for a few minutes and had me take my regulator out, then submerge and try to exhale through my nose while holding my mouth shut. I gave it 3-4 attempts before I started getting water up my nose, which caused that feeling of panic and I had to surface again to clear the water out of nose/mouth.
At this point, I think this is my biggest fear when diving, that I'll be deep underwater and won't be able to surface to recover.
My instructor assured me that he would go over it with me during the next class and we would master it.
In the meantime, I was considering practicing on my own at my local gym's swimming pool.
I did find this article, which seems to go through a few different methods I may have to try.
Techniques and Tips For Mastering Scuba Mask Clearing
So, I've just completed my second class (out of 3) for OW certification, and I'm really struggling to clear my mask. Our scuba instructor had us review the stuff we did in Class 1, including mask-clearing and taught us a new skill that involved removing our mask underwater. Both times I struggled.
I'm a little uneasy about removing my mask, but I can usually keep water out of my nose. However, when it comes to putting my mask back on, or flooding it, I just can't seem manage to get it cleared. Instead, I just end up getting water up my nose/in my sinuses or choking on water that went down the wrong pipe.
The only way I can describe it I have a slight feeling of panic of water going up my nose the moment I tilt my head upward with water in my mask. I know I'm safe, but when I try to exhale, through my nose, it does nothing to the water in my mask. My instructor is telling me that I'm not blowing through my nose enough, and I'm exhaling too much through my mouth.
He took me aside for a few minutes and had me take my regulator out, then submerge and try to exhale through my nose while holding my mouth shut. I gave it 3-4 attempts before I started getting water up my nose, which caused that feeling of panic and I had to surface again to clear the water out of nose/mouth.
At this point, I think this is my biggest fear when diving, that I'll be deep underwater and won't be able to surface to recover.
My instructor assured me that he would go over it with me during the next class and we would master it.
In the meantime, I was considering practicing on my own at my local gym's swimming pool.
I did find this article, which seems to go through a few different methods I may have to try.
Techniques and Tips For Mastering Scuba Mask Clearing