fear of losing mask

[George Monnat Jr]

Around here we do a lot of beach entries through surf.
Lost masks are a very frequent occurrence.

Do you wear a hood when you dive?

1. Put the hood on first, and pull the top portion back and down so the face part is around your neck.
2. Next put your mask on your bare head in the normal way.
3. Finally, pull the top of the hood onto your head.

The mask strap is now under the hood.
The mask can not come off without removing the hood,
even if you're hit by a big wave.

I've used this method for years during some hellish surf entries... and never lost a mask.

K

That's how I wear my hood. My wife wears it over, so she has to adjust her slap strap frequently plus the skirt can have the hood under it (makes no sense to me).

 

[TMHeimer]

Around here we do a lot of beach entries through surf.
Lost masks are a very frequent occurrence.

Do you wear a hood when you dive?

1. Put the hood on first, and pull the top portion back and down so the face part is around your neck.
2. Next put your mask on your bare head in the normal way.
3. Finally, pull the top of the hood onto your head.

The mask strap is now under the hood.
The mask can not come off without removing the hood,
even if you're hit by a big wave.

I've used this method for years during some hellish surf entries... and never lost a mask.

K

This is a good idea I've heard before. Never thought of trying that, not sure why.

The reason I asked back there about how good your vision is (contacts, etc. than would come out?) if you can make out your depth gauge/computer, you could still make a slow enough ascent without the mask. If not, and no buddy around, just ascend really slowly.

 

[TMHeimer]

The best way to deal with it is simply to familiarize yourself with it by removing your mask in the ocean, just like in the pool. The ocean then becomes the familiar environment and the more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes.

From what the OP says he did fine with the mask skills--I think it's more a question of what he'd do if unable to find it as far as vision goes.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I recall having that fear when I was new to diving. The fear faded with the more dives I did. You will come to realize how unlikely it is to lose the mask from your face (remember, you have the pressure holding it on). And as you surmised, even if it were to come off your face it's not like it drops to the bottom of the ocean like a lead brick; you will likely have a second or two to catch it. Even then, on most of my dives, I am rarely very far above the bottom. If I were to lose a mask while ascending or descending, I think I could make it to the surface just fine. In summary, relax, and I think that with the more dives you do the less you will worry about losing a mask.

 

[George Monnat Jr]

In my experience, it's by far the most common skill struggle / fear for new divers.

 

[hilljo88]

Very rare for a mask to be dislodged. But it’s the regulator that’s important. It’s still in your mouth and you have gas supply. So slow your breathing down and think through your options. Is your mask retrievable? Can you get it? Can your buddy get it? If neither, indicate to your buddy that you need to ascend...slowly, making a safety stop. Take your time... Again, it’s very rare to see a mask dislodged.

 

[George Monnat Jr]

As with a lost buddy, you can safely skip the safety stop when ascending due to gear issues. That's always assuming you've stayed within the rules during your dive.

 

[Kimela]

My husband did a giant stride off a boat - while I watched from the surface of the water - and executed it beautifully (hand over his mask) until the last second. God alone knows why, but he just took his hand away from his mask - and of course it was dislodged and began to sink. Because I was watching the whole thing (and in total disbelief!) I went after his mask and he had it back on in a couple of minutes. So for oddball reasons, yes it can happen.

I have a 'heads up display' mask, which means my computer is in my mask. It's an expensive piece of hardware so I have attached a lanyard from the mask strap to my BC. If you're overly concerned you could always do something like that.

 

[TMHeimer]

My husband did a giant stride off a boat - while I watched from the surface of the water - and executed it beautifully (hand over his mask) until the last second. God alone knows why, but he just took his hand away from his mask - and of course it was dislodged and began to sink. Because I was watching the whole thing (and in total disbelief!) I went after his mask and he had it back on in a couple of minutes. So for oddball reasons, yes it can happen.

I have a 'heads up display' mask, which means my computer is in my mask. It's an expensive piece of hardware so I have attached a lanyard from the mask strap to my BC. If you're overly concerned you could always do something like that.

Excellent idea. I have the following attached to me two ways--
dive knife (lost one out of holster once).
dive watch (lost one recently--somehow pin got dislodged in surf).
dive computer (well, that's expensive).
shell collecting net bag (empty ones can float out of BC pocket).

 

[Pat.D]

Fairly recently certified diver here and I have to admit losing my mask doesn't really worry me. Main reason being in rec diving a lost mask is 99.9% not a deadly situation. If the mask is recoverable it's not hard to put it back on (even just holding it in place if the strap is broken), clear it and re-asses your dive. If it's not recoverable, you can safely abort your dive. It's all a question of keeping your cool and trusting/following your training.

(To put my opinion in context, I have been working with SCBA's 25+ years so it does put the risk levels in perspective. Losing ones facepiece in a fire has consequences ranging from mild smoke inhalation to severe injury and rapid death, and the chances of having ones facepiece knocked loose or off are fairly high in a fire... it's happened several times in my career. Losing ones mask under water on the other hand is very unlikely).

Personally while diving the only time I've ever had my mask almost knocked off was doing a back roll entry off a boat and the strap slipped off the back of my head. I forgot to put my left hand behind my head to hold the strap in place (I shave my head so the strap slips off when doing a back roll). Fortunately I had my right hand on my reg/mask so it didn't fly off and I was able to just put it back on (after an unexpected face full of water lol!).

Pat