 The mask is a deceptively simple piece of scuba equipment. Yet its simplicity often belies its importance. The mask is a crucial piece of scuba gear because it allows us visually dependent humans to enjoy a clear view of the underwater world. Since our eyes are not designed for use underwater, when not wearing a mask we see only a hazy, distorted seascape.
As much as we depend on our mask for an enjoyable underwater experience, we tend to take it for granted. However, when some event causes our mask to flood, it generates great anxiety.
I’ve heard new divers swear that once they passed their certification course, they expected to never again flood their mask or take it off underwater. Although they successfully demonstrated the “mask removal and replacement underwater” skill during their training and evaluation dives, the effort produced such mental discomfort that they feared this event more than any other diving mishap except perhaps running out of air.
Removing a mask underwater, replacing it and clearing it of water should not be considered an emergency, but just another skill that indicates comfort with using our equipment underwater.
Why would we have to remove our mask underwater, anyway?
Hopefully, we wouldn’t. But several possibilities exist. If the mask strap is not seated on the crown of the head, it may slide up or down and cause discomfort or prevent a good seal. The easiest way to fix this is to remove the mask and replace it with the strap in the correct position.
Another diver could accidentally knock your mask off with an errant kick of the fins, or you might catch the strap or snorkel on something if you get too close, dislodging the mask. Occasionally, the best way to defog a stubborn viewing window is to remove the mask and give the lens a good rubbing. Also, buckles or straps have been known to break (although this can be prevented by a thorough predive equipment check), which could cause loss of the face seal and subsequent flooding.
While the chances of the above occurrences are slim, one of the purposes of scuba training is to prepare you for the unexpected. Mastering the mask removal and replacement skill not only prepares you to handle minor problems such as the above, but also increases your self-confidence.
For those who find this skill daunting, mental rehearsal before underwater practice can help ease anxiety. Picture yourself performing every aspect of the skill perfectly over and over. As you do, concentrate on keeping your breathing calm and steady.
Step 1 — Just Add Water
Start by kneeling on the bottom in shallow water — either in a pool or water with similar conditions. Take the time to stabilize — make sure you are slightly negative so you can remain in place on the bottom; calm your breathing and mentally rehearse the steps of removing and then replacing your mask.
Part of the potential difficulty with this skill is the sudden immersing of the eyes and nose in water, which produces a “gasp” reflex. It causes an instinctual inhalation and urge to hold your breath. Instead, water should be introduced into the mask slowly.
When you are ready, place your thumbs under the mask frame and forefingers on the top. Pull outward on the top of the frame just enough to let water trickle into the mask pocket. Stop when it fills to below eye level (photo 1). Continue to breathe normally.
This slow introduction of water into the mask gives you time to control the gasp reflex. After additional practice you’ll barely notice this response. Gradual flooding also allows your face to acclimate to the water temperature, which may be significantly cooler than the skin-warmed air inside the pocket.
Step 2 — Flood and Remove the Mask
Once your breathing has returned to normal, continue to gradually flood the mask until it is filled with water. Your eyes may remain open, or you may keep them closed if you are sensitive to chlorine or salt water or you are wearing contacts.
Lift the mask off your head either by reaching back with one hand and grasping the mask strap while holding the mask frame with the other, or by simply pulling it off with both hands on the frame, whichever is more comfortable for you (photo 2). Do not let go of the mask once removed.
Without the mask in place, some divers fear getting water up their nose. This should not happen if you are breathing through your mouth (the regulator), but the feeling of water in the nostrils can be disconcerting nonetheless. To avoid water in the nostrils maintain positive pressure by exhaling slightly through the nose while continuing to exhale primarily through the regulator. Do not exhale entirely through the nose; this is not as efficient as air exchange, could lead to accidentally inhaling through the nose and the bubbles may restrict your sight (if your eyes are open).
Step 3 — No-Mask Breathing
With the mask off, relax and continue breathing for a minute or so before attempting to replace it. In an actual mask removal situation, for instance if it were knocked off, the mask may not be conveniently aligned in your hands, ready to don.
One common mistake is rushing to get the mask back on the face without making sure it is properly positioned. I’ve seen divers try to don a mask with the strap twisted up or folded inside the pocket. Some have even placed it on their face upside down and then been confused when they couldn’t make a seal. None of these situations is inherently dangerous unless it elevates the stress level, potentially leading to panic.
Before attempting to replace the mask on your face, examine it with your hands (photo 3). Locate the nose pocket with your fingers to make sure it is toward the bottom. Move around the frame to verify that no part of the mask strap or buckle will interfere with the seal. Once the mask is correctly oriented, use one hand to feel along the length of the strap loop, straightening and flattening it as you go.
Although some instructors advise keeping your eyes open throughout the exercise, I recommend that, at least for this step, you close your eyes. You should practice positioning your mask for donning without having to look at it, since in some circumstances, for instance during a night dive, you may be unable to see it.
Step 4 — Repositioning and Clearing
Once the mask is correctly positioned, with one hand on the frame and the other keeping the strap straight, it’s ready to don. First, seal the mask seal against your face with one hand. Hold it in place while pulling the strap down over the crown of your head (i.e., the widest part) with the other (photo 4). Smooth the strap and then clear water out of the mask using your normal method.
Continue to maintain positive pressure in your nose until the mask is clear of water.
An alternative to following the sequence in Step 4 is to clear water out of the mask before situating the strap on the head.
Seat the mask on the face with one hand while holding the mask strap out of the way with the other. At this point you can clear the mask by pressing gently on the top of the frame with one hand while exhaling through the nose (photo 5). Then pull the strap down over the crown and use both hands to smooth it.
Perhaps the best reason for practicing mask removal and replacement is that it’ll boost your confidence, knowing that you can continue to breathe normally through your regulator, with or without your mask in place. Mastering this procedure until it produces no excess stress could make the difference between a minor incident and a true emergency triggered by panic.
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