austriandiveress
Contributor
I'd like to ask you instructors out there the following question: at what point do you teach a student to clear their mask? I ask for the following reason: I have recently seen an instructor whom I respect greatly require his students to be able to do this the first time that they are in the water. Obviously I understand the necessity of mastering this skill, but two of these students were women in their late fifties who wanted to dive, but were understandably a bit nervous. It was hard for both ladies to understand that they simply shouldnt inhale through their nose, and therefore they inhaled the water that they hadnt been able to clear, started choking and freaked out. Both quit after struggling with this for a second day. The training environment was such that it would have been impossible for their masks to be kicked off by someone, as the instructor was alone in the water with them, with no other swimmers around.
I frankly had the same problem when I started, and so I understand these ladies. I am certainly not an instructor, but if I were (and if it didnt violate the standards of my agency) I think I'd wait until a student felt a bit more comfortable under water in full gear.
What say you guys?
I frankly had the same problem when I started, and so I understand these ladies. I am certainly not an instructor, but if I were (and if it didnt violate the standards of my agency) I think I'd wait until a student felt a bit more comfortable under water in full gear.
What say you guys?