Everyone's Favourite Skill
Have you ever experienced that indescribable feeling as you snort up a bunch of pool water as a child and your brain feels as though it's about to burst? Your eyes tear up and a waterfall streams out your nose? Yes, it's horrendous and not attractive. The mask clear is possibly the most dreaded skill in every course, so have a look at my tip on how to clear your mask quickly and easily.
CONTENTS:
What is a mask clear
In the Open Water course, you are required to flood your mask with water, starting from a partial flood through to removing the mask completely. This is going to happen whether you like it or not, and it will happen even when you're not on a course!
Purpose of the mask clear
The reason you are expected to breathe comfortably through your regulator with your mask completely flooded is for your own safety. Many divers with a moustache find their masks leaking all the time, as the hair follicles allow water to seep in. Instead of ending your dive and surfacing just to remove the water, we teach you to fix the situation underwater in a calm, safe manner.
For me personally, my mask fills with water constantly because I laugh and smile underwater... my smile lines cause a serious flood!
How to clear a mask
Here's a trick I learnt to help prevent the dreaded brain attack whilst clearing your mask.
- Don't sniff the water! It tastes disturbingly like salty fish.
- Think of your favourite song and start humming it.
The idea is to release air into your mask to expel the water. The easiest way to breathe out through your nose without having to consciously think about it is to hum. Clever, right?!
Place your tongue against the opening of the regulator mouthpiece and start humming. You don't have to be a rapper or a choir singer — all you have to do is hum 3 seconds of your favourite childhood song (if you can remember how it goes).
If this doesn't work on the first go, remember rule No.1… and then try again. Eventually your dive buddies will start humming the chorus and joining in on your underwater party!
Written by Amy-Sarah Lottering