One of the most difficult skill new (and some experienced) divers have is learning how to clear their mask. There are many reasons why people have difficulty. A primary reason for this difficulty is because many people are not conscious of their breathing. That is, many people do know know that they breath in and out of their noses in addition to their mouths. While this post is not going to go over the mechanics of mask clearing, it is to give people some guidance on how to overcome their difficulties learning this essential skill.
One of the first things we have to look at is the mask itself. Does the mask fit properly? Is the internal capacity to big? Is the mask strap to tight or loose? If a mask doesn’t fit properly, it will make clearing difficult when it doesn’t sit on a diver’s face proper. If the internal capacity is to large, then it may take the diver multiple tries to clear the mask. Believe it or not, I have seen divers with their mask straps so tight, their checks were pushed up against the lens. Having the mask strap sized appropriately will make clearing the mask easier.
Maintain Control of Your Breathing
Diver’s should maintain control over their breathing when clearing their mask. Many new divers tend to change their breathing when under the slightest bit of task loading. Diver’s should be aware if they are exhaling through their nose and not through the regulator, thus resulting in the mask not being cleared. By focusing on breathing, a diver can comfortably clear their mask.
Part of maintaining control is focusing on your inhalations and exhalations when doing mask clearing drills. When a diver inhales to much, the air will fill up their lungs and add positive buoyancy. By the time they have finished clearing their mask, they may have moved up significantly in the water column. The opposite is also true. If a diver over exhales, they will empty their lungs and create negative buoyancy. Thus causing the diver to fall in the water column. Either way, the diver is not in control of their position in the water and that is not a good thing.
It really boils down to being comfortable with neutral buoyancy. When a diver is not comfortable when neutrally buoyant, the focus is shifted away from their breathing. This is why it is critical for new divers to spent a lot of time in the pool learning buoyancy control and performing skills while neutrally buoyant. By spending this extra time in the pool, when the new diver gets to an open water diving environment, they should be comfortable when the water gets in their mask. In my area, our water is generally colder than a pool (in some cases significantly colder). A diver’s first reaction when cold water hits their face (or in their nose) is to inhale quickly. Thus changing their buoyancy characteristics.
Assuming you have a mask that fits properly, it really boils down to breath control. When initially learning to do mask clearing skills keep your mental focus on your breathing. Inhales and exhales should be that of a normal breath. Worry about this before you focus on the mechanics of clearing the mask. Practice this over and over so that you are clearing your mask while remaining neutrally buoyant. The same advice can be used when doing mask removal and replacement skills. Focus on breathing so your buoyancy doesn’t change, move slowly and deliberately. This will help you maintain control of your position in the water, when without a mask on.
Dive Safe,
Duane
Precision Diving
Photo Credits:
Ed Gabe
Andrew Georgitisis
About Duane Johnson
