I’m an advanced open water diver but couldn’t dive during the last 4 years, so ever since I did those courses. I wanna do the refresher course this summer and maybe also the rescue diver but I’m pretty nervous about the mask skills cause I always inhaled water through my nose as soon as the mask was off and panicked. I just tried your tip with the snorkel in the sink and while I still struggle a bit and even though actually being underwater and taking the mask off there still makes me nervous that exercise worked, I managed to have my nose underwater and keep breathing through my mouth and didn’t breathe in water!! I’m so excited about this, my dive teacher was really impatient with me over not being able to do this when he could have just given me this super simple exercise!! Thanks a lot😃

I recently finished my open water course and really struggled with the full removal! On my second open water dive my snorkel hook got caught in my loose hair as I pulled it off and got knotted up. My instructor had to rip it out so I could get it back on and clear it… I panicked a lot! Tip: Tie your hair tightly!!!!! 😅

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Oh no! Katy, so glad you made it through! Thank you for your comments! In fact, we recently released a video with two of our favorite female instructors all about managing long hair fur scuba diving. Check it out: kzread.info/dash/bejne/aKVtypqJos_Xk6w.html

I’m an AOW and I still practice these skills in our local swimming pool right before a trip. I even bought a tank just so I can keep practicing the basic skills of diving. Thanks for the video 😊

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Good for you! Even as instructors we continue to practice our skills!

With my facial hair (beard), I was unable to keep water out with all other masks that I’ve owned until I bought the ScubaPro Spectra mask that has a bigger skirt below the nose, producing a much better seal. Zero water intrusion now without shaving.

Great tips! Nobody told me to tilt my head to prevent bubbles from going up my nose. The first time I removed my mask in shallow water, I had to surface because water went up my nose. I completed the skill only because the instructor pinched my nose for me while I removed and replaced my mask. I also wear contacts so I can't open my eyes underwater and that makes it extra scary. When I completed the skill in deep water, I learned to breathe out through my nose while my mask is off so water doesn't flood in. And thanks for the strap cover tip! I didn't even know those existed. My hair is always getting caught in the mask somehow, even when I wear a headband to keep out of my face. So annoying lol

When I took my OW I struggled with mask clearing due to not exhaling forcefully enough. I'd clear but it would take 3 or 4 breaths and I'd start to struggle. Best advice I got was clear like you're blowing your nose, worked like a charm!

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

+Dustin Krueger that great way to describe it Dustin! t is just like blowing your nose! Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!

@SavageBits

2 жыл бұрын

Forceful exhale not required. Keep gap at bottom less than half a pinky. With proper technique, the average person should be able to clear a flooded mask twice on one breath

Mask skills were my biggest hurdle in my OW class, which was compounded by the mask flooding repeatedly due to my facial hair. I switched to a different mask with a softer silicone skirt, and, even with a full beard, it stays snug and seals. That second mask has stayed with me ever since, and got prescription lenses added once I was confident in its ability to work with a beard. For those curious, its an Apeks VX1, with lenses installed by Prescription Dive Masks in La Mesa, CA.

Thank you. I thought I was odd, but watching this and speaking to others it’s a common problem. I’m not alone. Going to try your tips in the pool in a couple of days 🤞🤞🤞

When diving in cold water and wearing 7mm gloves, it can be difficult to properly pinch your nose to clear your ears as you descend. The thick gloves can make it difficult to pinch your nose with an index finger and thumb on one hand, especially with the lens shape on some masks. Took me a few times to realize that it was easier to use both index fingers on each hand to pinch both nostrils together and blow.

My initial encounter with scuba diving was in 1980, and I was just thirteen years old. I immediately struggled with the weird sensation of trying to breathe through a regulator with water around my nose during the mask clear skill. I solved this by going home and spending much time teaching myself to breathe through a snorkel underwater without a mask on my face. When I returned to the class, I'd become so comfortable with it, that the instructor yelled at me for being 'too comfortable,' as (for practice) I was swimming around in scuba without my mask during the scheduled fun time at the end of our pool sessions... A lot has changed in the world of scuba diving since then, and things that (safely) increase comfort and confidence do seem to be encouraged more now than then. Great video!

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Sean, thanks so much for your comment! Practicing the hard things is how to conquer them. That is something we encourage our students to do all the time. If something is difficult, don’t avoid it. Face it head on and with repetition you will become comfortable and it becomes easy. Love your thoughts on this and how you dealt with it!

@seanlotz9581

2 жыл бұрын

@@everythingscuba 👌

@seikibrian8641

2 жыл бұрын

How interesting, Sean. I had a 13-year-old in one of my classes a few years ago that had the same problem...only maybe worse. He couldn't seem to not inhale through his nose. He ended up dropping out of the class, and I wish I could have taken him aside and let him practice like you did, without the pressure of holding up the class.

i loved your tip on letting them breath standing up in water they stand in, with their face down and mask of, it will inmediatly pick out the ones that need some more attantion!! thnks, from the tropical island of curacao!!

Great information, I'm a new diver and have struggled with full flood mask clearing. I'm sure your video is going to help me, Thanks

Really good tips there! Thank you very much!

Some good tips there, i have no probs with water in my mask but have always and still do struggle with mask off and hate practicing this, i force myself every few dives to do it and have asked my buddy on occassions to sometime during the dive take my mask off without warning me, i know this is something that will never go away so i force myself to do it so if my mask came off during a dive i dont freak out. i have been diving now for a few decades and im a pretty chilled diver.

This video is soooo helpful thank you! I’m a new diver working towards my open water certification and I have really been struggling with the water in mask clearing - I panic and my instinct is to surface. I realize this gas to become second nature to me so lots of practice, practice, practice for me still.

@teodorateodora1829

Жыл бұрын

Hy I have the same issues 🥺I thought that I am the problem. Thank you for sharing 🙏 I feel much better now to see that also other people have the same struggle with this 🤿 I will practice more

Great video thanks, I have a thick beard, I apply lip balm to the contact parts of my beard /mask,works perfectly

Glad I'm not the only one struggling with mask removal.

I'm a new diver and am loving your videos! Thank you

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Kali that is music to our ears. Our goal is to give new divers more information to help them in the scuba diving endeavors. Thanks for watching and thanks for your comments.

I had to do it five times clearing the mask with taking 1 breath apneu at the bottom of the swimming pool first waiting on the go till everyone was ready. And everyone in the class had to do it (military)

great tips and exercises, great teacher thanks. this is a lot of great info. my problem before trying to dive was that I was scared of my ears hurting like crazy. I had tride to exalize pressure after my ears hurted while dessending on a plain and it didnt work. But I tough the teacher at the Dive shop in San Andres will probably have a trick for me. I was determind to succed as for I love the underwater world so much. Well I was right turns out I did not push hard enough true my nose while pinching it. I was to scared of busting my ears lol he said you cant do that just push harder buddy. I'm so happy it worked. I envy anyone who scubas often :)

Oooff I just finished doing the mask removal and swim task…… I panicked but we went back the next day and I was able to do it

i don't do the panic like at the start but i struggle blocking off the air in my nose so water just rushes in. i need to get this sorted quickly i have my open water assessment in 3 weeks

Ty

Glad you mentioned being neutrally buoyant

I’m several decades past open water cert. however.. for solo course, I bought myself a handy small low volume spare mask.. never put it on till mask swap at 60ft. Cleared it no problem and then panic.,. I took it off and breathed thru it, and continued. Point is, 30 years of diving, I felt panic.. any new gear like masks, try in pool, or even bathtub. Smaller lenses, close to my face not expecting it, made me feel claustrophobic. Took me a couple minutes to figure out what it was. Great vid, and content!! I love diving so much, I am always smiling or laughing.. I’ve become proficient at mask clearing. Lol. I just do one finger center top of mask to clear. You all will come up with your own way in time :)

The strap cover makes my mask slowly move upper on my face during the dive so that the seal brokes and water leaks in eventually. I am way comfortable without it.

I have a full beard and I get it to seal. I use Tusa masks with very soft silicone that helps a lot. I also tighten my mask a little bit more and I breath out of my nose.

I dive with a beard and mustache and have no problem sealing. I've tried all the salves and gels with no result. If there are divers that want to try Vaseline, I'd advise against it - Vaseline is a petroleum based product and can attack seal materials. What I've found is that you let the facial hair get long enough to lay flat. The worst situation is 3-4 day stubble. The stubble stands straight and pushes the mask skirt away from the face. This is also significant for a drysuit neck seal. I have to shave the neck before drysuit diving to keep from leaking. Interesting your take on mask strap position. My experience is exactly opposite. When I get a little mask leakage, I feel where my mask strap is and it is riding high. I need to have that strap on the upper neck to get a good mask seal. Great video - keep up the good work Lyell!!

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

+Mitch Hushak I think you are correct I. Having stubble vs actual hair naked a difference! Thanks for your input!

@shadowlandstudios86

2 жыл бұрын

I found the exact same thing. If I buzz my mustache down too short, it leaks worse than if I leave it a little longer.

@DontScareTheFish

Жыл бұрын

@@everythingscuba Further to the above (I've got a full beard) the seal on the top lip is alot "softer" than the rest IT's enough to keep the water out but only just. I can typically clear my mask without any hands due to the beard.

For those with a beard that are struggling to get a proper seal with their mask - back in the day when you were shaving… did you just grab a razor and start to shave? or, did you wet your face, maybe take a shower first or use shaving cream? If you just grabbed a razor and started to shave, you probably noticed that your facial hair was quite abrasive. You might have even cut yourself rather easily while attempting to shave; however, if you took a shower beforehand, or washed your face so that the hairs were more subtle - you most likely had fewer problems. The same can be said for getting a proper seal on your mask while wearing a beard or mustache. Simply wet your face prior to putting your mask on. It doesn’t take much to soften the hairs and get a proper seal with a properly fitting mask. I have over 3,000 dives with a beard and have not had one problem due to my beard. Have I had flooded masks? Over course - but it wasn’t because of my facial hair.

❤thank you

I had issues trying not to slightly use my thumbs. I believe my nose sits so low in my mask skirt that not using my thumbs results in the air just being blown right out of the bottom. Practice to find what works for you, your gear, and your various situations. Then, practice, practice, practice. You will get comfortable, confident, and calm! Enjoy yourselves down there and stay safe 🙏

When I did my OWD, we just used one hand, I guess it's easier for those who would use their thumb. My technique is I push with three fingers may mask to the face, because this way I can still see what's going on around me. Maybe it's a smart idea, maybe not. I wonder what you think about.

Great video 🙌 i use my chapstick (carmex) to seal my mask

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Now that is the most interesting way I’ve heard to seal a mask. A new use for Carmen! :) Thanks for tip sir!

Yeah I have an issue with water going up my nose. It's weird because I'm used to swimming in pools with just googles. It's fine if my head is horizontal but if it tilts too much then I feel water go up my nose. During the pool mask skills I had no problem but in the ocean there's a sway and it made water go up my nose so I ended up holding my nose while the mask was off. Then putting the mask back and and clearing it

Great video bro thank you. During my second open water dive mask skills were covered again, but this time my strap came dislodged from the mask housing and I was in an actual situation. With the water being 50° I had too quickly remove heavy gloves and feel around until I could re-strap mask together. Luckily I had a dive instructor present just in case I was unsuccessful. I believe a good tip for all divers would be to practice strap configuration for your masks until you can do it with your eyes closed. Thanks again for another awesome video, Happy Diving.

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

+don r thanks for your kind words Don! Good advice too!

@seikibrian8641

2 жыл бұрын

I have a better idea; carry a spare mask, so if one breaks you can don the spare and then be able to work on the first one with full vision. If your BCD doesn't have a large enough pocket to carry a spare you can get strap-on leg bags, belly bags, etc.

Hello Captin...... Its the first day for me with diving and I still have problem with clear my mask because I always feel water go inside my nose.

i had the problem that when water reach my nose it started a reflex. Lots of people have this reflex it will stop you from breathing propely. When this happens just pinch your nose shut until your breathing calmy again. After some time youll get used to the water and it wont even bother anymore. But when you panick because of breathing, pinch your nose and breath calmly again.

nice job

good video. The secret is PRACTICE. I like the no mask snorkel breathing activity. start there.

im currently doing an open water dive and i really struggle with taking my mask off im 13 and when i took it of i got a nose bleed do u kniw how i can stop this?

I still have some problems with my mask clearing because i think i breath just a little bit by my nose and swallow a bit of water. I've been praticsing in the shower 😅 and im improving. One more tip: pinch your nose with two fingers , close your eyes and just breath by the mouth and then "realease" the nose just before exhaling 😉

I’d have to double check the mask I have but I was given one that has a real soft skirt and it seals just fine. My other mask will constantly trickle water in so constantly exhale a little out of my nose. It takes a little bit to get used to but now I do it unconsciously every time I dive no matter what mask I’m wearing.

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment TexasWoody!

Good tip for the mask off drill is to tip your head forward, it points the exhausts on your second stage towards your neck so the bubbles are not running up your face, it seems to work really well for me.

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Good tip! We also teach (as you see in the video) tilting your head to one side to allow bibles to bypass your nose. Thanks for watching!

Get mask in hand, close eyes, pinch nose, get calm. Once calm, put the mask on face, re-pinch nose, get calm. Once calm, purge mask until clear then go.

When I first learned to dive in 1977 was pretty much all masks had purge valves. I got recertification last year and now purge valves are not that common anymore.

@lamanawebu

Жыл бұрын

Thats a question why the purge valves are not used today. Last week I strugled with old leaking mask and spent an half of dive with clearing :-D big fun for all other buddies. In 10m there was no risk to play with this issue. And then I ask myself why there is no oneway valve under nose :-/

Hello - Thanks for your video! I'm just approaching my confined water training, so I'm totally inexperienced. I'm a bit confused about your description of flooding and clearing a mask as a way to get rid of fogging. My understanding is that it's important to defog before each dive by applying a couple of drops of defogger to each lens, rubbing it around a bit, and then rinsing the mask just briefly, in order to leave a thin coat of the defog on the lenses. If, for whatever reason, water enters a mask and then has to be cleared, wouldn't this remove any fog protection? And then the mask would be more prone to fogging?

@everythingscuba

Жыл бұрын

You will find occasionally even with defogging, your mask may fog. It’s not a perfect science and so on the odd occasion your mask may fog while underwater or your mask may have gotten wet before fully donning it washing some of your defog out…..and so one way to clear your mask would be to flood it and clear it.

I really struggled with this while I was learning. My dive master recommended I take out my regulator right before I blow my nose. Has that ever happened to anyone?

@everythingscuba

9 ай бұрын

I’ve heard of this technique before. Since some people have hard time with bowing out their nose with a regulator in their mouth but it’s not a technique we teach. We prefer our students are coached to eventually get the “muscle memory” Dow to be able to blow out their nose even with a regulator in their mouth.

I fortunately have not been strugling with mass kills.

For those of us in colder water, I sometimes have trouble with a mask skirt because I forgot to pull my hood out of the way..

@everythingscuba

Жыл бұрын

Great point Chad! Thanks for watching!

Wondering where you got your prescriptions fitted into your mask?

@everythingscuba

Жыл бұрын

Here you go… Prescription Dive Mask with Custom Bifocals kzread.info/dash/bejne/fJV7ztWompO_eqQ.html

Another common issue with masks is having fun. Smiling underwater always lets a little water in. We actually ditched our mask strap covers because every time we would backroll off the boat it let the strap come off.

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

It’s the downside to scuba. So much fun!:)

I have a goatee. My Oceanic mask just fits and seals nice. I do shave just below my nose. My Apeks needs a dab of Vaseline or silicone gel. I just clear unconsciously too. Lol

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment Mike! I’m still to find a mask that allows me to have facial hair. Lol.

@GrimOxford

2 жыл бұрын

@@everythingscuba personally I use a free diving mask from Mako, it does leak occasionally due to my mustache but like mike, I kinda automatically clear without realizing it. I had more leaks when bubbles from my reg hit the bottom of my mask. Using a reg with extended exhaust ports really helped

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

@@GrimOxford thanks for your tips Grim! Nice on the extended exhaust port!

This is all well and good in the pool (like all the videos on this topic) but very different when you're in the ocean and it stings like hell.

@everythingscuba

3 ай бұрын

Well if you are going to dive in saltwater, gotta get used to it.

I have a full beard and use pig grease to create a seal

I'm an AOWD. Thank you for the video! I was tortured to struggle with water getting into my nose all the time! Now everything is ok!

I’m a bearded man but my biggest concern with face masks is having an over humidified mask. This is a mask that has been soaped pre dive, cleared continuously through the dive but simply will not de-fog. I spent 50 mins at sub 60ft almost blind as a result. The fix: Once you’ve worn your mask for 10 or so dives, take a lighter to the glass briefly to de humidify the lens.

@underwaterexploration1794

Жыл бұрын

Most mask lens are cut with a paraffin wax coating the interior of the lens. Without removing this thin layer of wax, the mask will continuously fog. You can remove this thin layer of wax by either using an abrasive toothpaste or carefully burning the wax off with a lighter. If you purchased a “mirrored” lens - do not use a lighter on it, as the tinting will come off.

@Vivid.Bullox

Жыл бұрын

@@underwaterexploration1794 thanks for not letting my big comment die. I’m diving again in a month - I have a nice beauchat mask which has been notoriously problematic. Toothpaste and lighters have both been used… maybe it’s time for a new mask?

@ Everything Scuba please speaking in germany this cidio

Great tips. I notice my hood often will fill with air and move my mask strap up on my head. Any advice on how to avoid that?

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Steve I typically wear my hood over the top of my mask strap. That way the mask is secure.

@carllafrance5510

2 жыл бұрын

Get a fabric mast strap that is designed for hoods they are solid neoprene on the back about 4inches wide with straps Atland makes them for dry suits your dive shop should be able to hook you up Hood over mast strap sounds like disaster if you ever had to get it off in a hurry

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip Carl. Removing my mask while wearing an Aqualung Heat hood is pretty simple though. The hood pull peels back as I lift my mask. Know a lot of cold water divers who wear a mask this way. In fact some. Instructors teach it this way to make the mask more secure during a dive. Thanks for you comment!

@carllafrance5510

2 жыл бұрын

@@everythingscuba the neoprene mast strap works well without a hood also it doesn't dig in like a regular strap

@carllafrance5510

2 жыл бұрын

I've been thinking about it a bit it must be a different hood than the one I am using I'm using a mares hood and it is hard enough getting it on let alone put a mast strap under it Still seems like disaster waiting to happen to me If the instructor is teaching it I don't want to meet him Most of my diving is brail I am on call 24 7 4 tanks ready to go Phone rings I am gone I know a little bit a bout ice diving I have had a regulators freeze up under a ship at night brail I have had equipment tangles brail where I have had to ditch the gear and swim out from under the boat I all my years of diving I know of only 7 People with the skill correction STUPID ENOUGH TO DO IT I am not better than any body else To me just seens dumb Haven't got a Darwin award yet but I am working on it

I'm a certified diver. I'm a nose breath ever dive I have to keep telling myself mouth breath only and that helps me. 2nd my instructor when I went thru the pool session told me if I have a mustache to use Vaseline on my mustache to help seal. Hope this helps.

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

+Kevin Harry thanks! Yeah it messes with some divers heads when. They are so used to breathing in and out of their nose. Thanks for sharing

@kevinharry9880

2 жыл бұрын

@@everythingscuba maybe a thing to tell New divers is to wear the mask while there watching TV or just doing things around the house. But I can also understand that when people do stuff out of there normal comfort zone

@djsalose

Жыл бұрын

if you still has problems with it, i recommend usin a snorkel with anly small swimming goggles in the pool.. i often let my students practice like this if they have a problem.. works very good

I keep a beard so I have to fill my mustache with petroleum jelly, still get a little leak but there's no way my wife would let me get rid of the beard

totally different experience between fresh and salt water. if you're used to fresh water try all the exercises in fresh water and then salt water. try and keep your eyes closed. if you have plenty of air on your safety stop and can grab onto a rope during the ss practice taking your mask off and then on and clear it. practice in a calmer situation and then if you lose your mask accidently you're prepared. make sure if your wearing a hood the hood is over the mask.

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

+Duane Trochimchuk thanks for your comments and suggestions!

Some of my students had difficulty in clearing the mask because they blow the water through their mouth😅

The Fire Service helped me tremendously with scuba skills. Mask retrieval or regulator retrieval have never been a problem for me. Its imbedded into my brain to stay calm. I can do it in my sleep or under the most intense moments. The ONLY thing I still cannot do and will never be able to do is open my eyes in salt water. If my mask is kicked off by a buddy or pulled away from my face, I have to try and do a recovery with my eyes closed which isn't a problem from training in zero vis with the fire department but I will never understand how people can open their eyes in salt water. It feels like someone is pouring salt directly into my eyes 🤣

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comments Tommy! I hear ya about salt water it is painful….but as a Solo Instructor we commonly will do 2 minute no mask swims as part of demo for certification. Ouch. Thanks for watching!

@michaelclarke8972

2 жыл бұрын

@@everythingscuba Do not forget that your tears are salty. Seawater is also salty. I have found that keeping my eyes open in seawater is not a problem and there is no stinging of the eyes. However, when I put the mask back on and some air has been introduced into the mask then, oh boy, does it sting!

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelclarke8972 thanks for your comment! I get what you are saying but everything I demonstrate a two minute no mask swim in salt water….it stings for sure. Lol. Thanks for watching!

The very last thing I did before became certified was I had to take my mask off at 20 feet underwater and put it back on.

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

It’s not a comfortable skill for many new divers but an essential one. Congrats on becoming a certified open water diver Jess! Thanks for watching!

@jesspeoples3292

2 жыл бұрын

@@everythingscuba . I got certified in 2010. Get back into diving in 2018. Since then, I got my nitrox, AOW, and been on four dive trips. I also logged 61 dives.

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

@@jesspeoples3292 love it. Alway keep on learning!

Now do one with a 7mm hood pls

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Josh and I are both midwestern cold water divers. We are very used to doing all of these skills in hood, gloves and dry suit.

If a mask strap broke while dive nothing will happen! The water pressure keeps the mask on your face!

@everythingscuba

2 жыл бұрын

Yup, you could dive without a mask strap, as long as you don’t exhale at all through your nose. (Easier said than done.)

It's mask skills, kids, not maths skills.

Please get your students off their knees.

@everythingscuba

Жыл бұрын

Yup that’s always the goal as they progress.

You talk too much..go to the point,without jump in different things..!!

@shadowlandstudios86

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting. I thought it was the perfect amount of speaking. Valuable and good information.

Excellent insights! Thanks a lot for sharing. I'm in my OWD course at this time, next water practice is tomorrow. I managed to find and purchase my first piece of gear, a mask. And I - I'm serious - wore it in the shower. 🤿🚿 Washed and rinsed my hair with eyes open, cool. Let water flow in on top and practiced tolerating and navigating water around my nose. Gives me lots of comfort and confidence to practice like that at home. Whoop. 👌🏻

@everythingscuba

Жыл бұрын

When it comes to mask skills, practice really does make perfect. We commend you on your efforts so far! Good luck in your OW course and welcome to the wonderful world of scuba. Thanks for watching!