42 replies to this topic

[sudsymark]

I am hoping someone could explain to me the fascination with putting your mask on your head?

My shop explains in class the safety reasons for keeping your mask on and how to protect it from being stepped on, smashed by a tank or washed off your head into the ocean. Students will nod their head that they understand and agree with the logic but we get in the pool and sure enough the mask is on their head. Even the threats of buying pizza doenst deter them.

I have also been on trips with people who have been diving for years, are good friends with diving professional and have helped with classes and yet I watch them put their mask on their forehead. They wink and smile like the rule doesn’t apply to them and nothing could go wrong.

Do people do this because their mask doesn’t fit properly and it is uncomfortable to wear? Are they donning their gear too soon that the mask becomes uncomfortable? It doesn’t fit under their chin?

There was a really good article about this in last months Dive Training magazine.

[cmt489]

I have to admit that I hate having my mask under my chin and around my neck. It is bulky and feels unnatural. Plus it pulls my hair way worse when I place it under my chin. I do try to keep it around my neck in the water if I take it off but must admit that I would be way happier with it on my head.

[Walter]

Isn't a mask pretty much useless unless it's on your head?

[WreckWench]

I think it is an instinctive response just as pushing sunglasses on the top of your head when you are not wearing them.

As for wearing a mask all the time....there is some impediment to breathing when you are on the surface hence the reason most divers I suspect do not wear their mask all the time while dry. And I of course being so hot...er such a heavy breather...um... tend to fog mine up waiting to jump next!

[Dive_Girl]

I have asked my students why they push their masks up when they surface and some of the answers I get are:

1. It's awkward (solution: I explain if they keep it in place on their face, they will get used to it)
2. It's uncomfortable (solution: find a better better fitting mask, so it is not uncomfortbale of hurting the diver)
3. The mask is a rental or new and isn't defogging well, so they can't see me (solution: clean it again and re-defog)

I believe in leading by example and my mask is always properly in place when I am in the pool. Besides, chlorine reeks havoc on my eyes!

[PerroneFord]

I just put it on backwards when I'm preparing to dive, or in post-dive debrief. When my fins come off, it goes in the fin pocket and stays there.

Of course it's just my opinion, but I think this one gets blown WAY out of proportion. A mask is not essential SCUBA gear.

[Colorado Shark Guy]

Keeping your mask OFF your forehead was one of the first lessons my instructor taught me. As for students / other saying it is uncomfortable.... they would / will be a heck of a lot more uncomfortable if they lose it to a wave or someone's arm swing, fin kick, etc. and they do not have a mask with which to see through!

Also, a mask on one's forehead is a sign of distress or needing assistance.

Pete

P.S. Dive Training magazine had an article on this last month.

[Dive_Girl]

Of course it's just my opinion, but I think this one gets blown WAY out of proportion.

I agree that opinions can get heated on several sides.

I just know that to begin with, I believe dive professionals should teach the tried and true methods (for their area) of use, care, and maintenance of dive gear and that includes the mask. Where I teach, I have searched for too many lost masks that have been pushed up and slid off a diver's head, or was pushed up and they forgot it was there and so the mask is flung into the water when the hood is pulled off, or they had it in their hands and in cold water with gloves it's easily dropped and the diver never realizes it. So, my preference so my class doesn't slow down to run search patterns, so my diver can dive again needing the mask (which I view as essential at that point ), and so my diver doesn't lose potentially one of the first items of gear they personally own.

Once they are out of class, it’s their choice what to do with the mask unless they are a Rescue Diver or dive professional of mine. Masks are kept in the foot pockets of fins ready to be easily grabbed in an emergency.

[Walter]

Interesting discussion.

Perrone, I'm glad you put your mask on backwards, because I never do and we've been agreeing way too often lately. OTOH, I do store my mask in my fin pocket (have for well over 20 years). I usually put it there before I surface when boat diving. I don't understand why folks put their masks on backwards. I leave it in the fin pocket until I'm ready to put it on my face. I don't see the advantage of putting it on backward.

When beach diving, I don't put my mask on until I'm ready to submerge, it stays in the fin pocket until I put on my fins, then it goes around my neck. I used to put it on my face for the surface swim until I lost a mask that way in low visibility. Waves can strip a mask off your face as easily as they can take it off your forehead. Neither position is secure in surf. I learned that one through experience. I don't know from personal experience, but the mask on backward doesn't look very secure either.

Edited by Walter, 24 October 2006 - 10:55 AM.

[Dive_Girl]

When beach diving, I don't put my mask on until I'm ready to submerge, it stays in the fin pocket until I put on my fins, then it goes around my neck. I used to put it on my face for the surface swim until I lost a mask that way in low visibility. Waves can strip a mask off your face as easily as they can take it off your forehead. Neither position is secure in surf. I learned that one through experience.

Surf is one thing we don't get up here in the PNW unless diving on the coast. Good to know Walter, thank you for sharing.

[mantarraya]

Also, a mask on one's forehead is a sign of distress or needing assistance.

That is the main reason the scuba classes I've taken have emphasized, hence, I don't put my mask on my forehead....oddly enough, I was taught this in a YMCA scuba course in '75 and also when U got re-certified with PADI (along with my daughter) after many years away from diving in the late 1990s. So that teaching has been around, and in VERY differently taught courses for a long time.

Edited by mantarraya, 24 October 2006 - 12:28 PM.

[netmage]

I just put it on backwards when I'm preparing to dive, or in post-dive debrief. When my fins come off, it goes in the fin pocket and stays there.

I'm with you on this one... I can't stand carrying around a bulky mask case

Of course it's just my opinion, but I think this one gets blown WAY out of proportion. A mask is not essential SCUBA gear.

Essential? As in life support - no... Clearly an inconvience - but then again I used to ABHOR taking my mask off..., then I got DIR-F'd... I had confessed to the whole mask phobia, nose breathing thing, and then all weekend long - it felt like I was Mr. Maskless... Now its just not an issue....

Whoever decided "MOF is a sign of distress?" Since its obviously done allot - its clearly not absolute.
Dive Training is the propoganda shill for the industry - I'll pass.

[Walter]

A mask on the forehead is NOT a sign of distress. That's one of the biggest myths in diving.

[mantarraya]

A mask on the forehead is NOT a sign of distress. That's one of the biggest myths in diving.

But many courses definitely teach that it is, so for all intensive purposes, it has become a sign of distress to those exposed to that teaching, be it myth or not. I still don't put my mask on my forehead - just don't want to create confusion, justified or not.

Edited by mantarraya, 24 October 2006 - 12:31 PM.

[cmt489]

But many courses definitely teach that it is, so for all intensive purposes, it has become a sign of distress to those exposed to that teaching, be it myth or not. I still don't put my mask on my forehead - just don't want to create confusion, justified or not.

I was also taught this in my OW course and I also refrain from putting my mask on my forehead for the same reason.