I tried this 3 times today in the pool part of my course. Kept getting water up my nose and couldn't get it. My enthusiasm and confidence plummeted. Ugh! You make it look so easy! I really hope I can get it next week!
We understand how frustrating mask skills can be. The thing that you need to remember is that you are not alone. This is the number one skill that most beginner divers struggle with. The great thing about PADI courses is that they are performance based and not time based. This means that you can take as much time as you want to master this skill. Once you get the hang of it, we promise you will make it look just as easy. In order to clear the mask properly, you need to develop the correct muscle memory of exhaling out through your nose while the mask is off. This can take a little time, so remember to be patient with yourself. When you first take off the mask you can try plugging your nose. This will give you time to relax and to keep from inhaling water up your nose. You can also try to stand in shallow water with just your regulator in your mouth and put your face in the water. This will give you time to adjust to breathing without a mask. Try to regulate your breathing and think of something that will help you to relax. (Maybe all the amazing fish you will get to see once you are in the ocean 😊). When the mask is back on you will need to remind yourself to keep exhaling from your nose. We have seen some students who need to either touch their nose or hold their regulator to remind them not to blow out through their mouth. You can also practice this technique outside of the water as well. As mentioned before, it's all about muscle memory. Practicing will allow you to develop that before you even try to do it underwater. If you find yourself becoming frustrated take a break. Ask your Instructor if you can go for a short swim in the shallow end of the pool, or if you can practice another skill. Sometimes we just need to take a step back and build our confidence up before trying again. Hope this helps and we would love to hear which piece of advice or technique worked out best for you.
@@IDCKohTao Thank you so much for your thoughtful and helpful response. I have dreadlocks so I don't swim underwater as much as I used to. I think I've just lost the muscle memory. I just ordered a swim cap and I'm going to practice swimming around my pool with just the snorkel to get it back. I think I was breathing out through my mouth, too, and will adjust that. Thanks again so much. Means a lot.
Try it in 50 degree water 😂🤦🏼♂️. I hate removing my mask But every cert i get,they tell us to do it. Told my rebreather instructor id pay him 100$ to forget that skill 😂
At depth you should already be comfortable and have equalised your air spaces, including the mask space. However, gently flood the mask first by lifting the skirt, get comfortable again with a fully flooded mask, then remove / replace and clear the mask to perform and complete the skill. Relax, breathe normally and be comfortable at all stages of the skill. Thanks for your comment.
Thank you for your comment Ulyana and sorry to hear that you experienced this problem on your Open Water dive. As we have previously said, mask removal and replacement is a progressive and advanced skill, which is one of the reasons why the PADI course structure progressively introduces beginner students to mask skills with partial mask and full mask flood, before reaching removal and replacement. Of course, the word 'mastery' is used and performing the skill once in confined water and Open Water is often not enough and students must work with their dive instructors to demonstrate mastery, comfort and confidence when performing any of the skills in the course curriculum. Any student reading this 'must' not be afraid to discuss and work with their instructor on skill improvement and this is applicable from the very beginning of the course. A good instructor should have built up a sufficiently good working relationship with each of their students to be able to identify students that need extra support and skill remediation. I recommend watching our latest Divemaster neutral buoyancy skills and if you are continuing to explore your passion for diving, please message us direct for guidance, tips and insights.
this exercise is not realistic. it should be performed in neutral trim. the mask should be removed quickly because during a dive the most likely reason for losing it is a hit from anothet diver. The snorkel it's totally useless
Thanks for your comment, appreciate it. This video is a little old now and you can check out our videos that are also old but not as old here: idckohtao.com/padi-divemaster-skills-videos/ - Like all responsible dive centres we endeavour to train our students neutrally buoyant where and when appropriate. Regarding the snorkel, we follow agency standards as a PADI CDC 🙏🏻
Thanks for your comment on a commonly experienced issue with new divers. Removal and replacement of the mask is not a skill for your first underwater experience and is a progressive skill built on your ability to master the partial and fully flooded mask skills. In training and early on, a good instructor will work with you to address your fears when performing skills to help you overcome any anxiety and build your confidence through safe and effective repetition. Once you practice this skill enough you will naturally become more confident as you begin to understand the relationship between the regulator/mouth and the nose/mask and it becomes second nature. As a diver, it's really important to master the mask skills and be comfortable without a mask on and/or with a mask on that has water inside of it and then being able to clear it effectively. On occasions mostly due to a poorly fitted mask, divers encounter a build of water within the mask and need to be able to clear it and continue with their dive. This may happen many times during a dive if the mask is a poor fit. On the rare occasions that a mask strap snaps, its the same principle: relax, continue to breathe through the mouth/regulator, fit a replacement (that the instructor should be carrying), clear it, find the lost one and continue with the dive. 😊 Practice, practice, practice !
Thank you for all your comments and we would like to ask you to check out the same skill neutrally buoyant in our Divemaster playlist. Enjoy your diving and any constructive comments are always welcome ☺️
how to not get water in the nose ? or at least how to deal with the water while it's inside the nose and throat ! I tried this skill multiple times with no success! 😢
how to not get water in the nose ? or at least how to deal with the water while it's inside the nose and throat ! I tried this skill multiple times with no success! 😢
Great comment thanks. The PADI demonstration highlights the use of a snorkel as an integral part of your scuba diving equipment as a responsible diver and plays an important role in skills and for divers at the surface - pre/post dive for many different reasons.
@@IDCKohTao Thx for the feedback. I am interested though in the "many different reasons" you mention. I know wearing/not wearing a snorkel is a very contentious issue, and also in your reply you refer to "as a responsible diver". There was a study done by the US Navy involving 250 Navy Divers, and none of them were able to breathe through a snorkel while submerged (Only joking, but I think you get my point). Should we not rather teach to keep a snorkel on you, but only fit it at the surface? The snorkel has zero value below water, and is in all cases simply a hazard. I recall my wife and I doing open water training and watching my wife get the snorkel entangled in her hair every time she removed her mask. Life without a snorkel underwater is just much easier, and in my opinion safer. What you do on the surface is a different matter, and there I am not debating the point, although I also believe it is personal preference. For example, I am unable to swim on the surface face-down, my boots are buoyant, so my fins simply slap on the water, so I prefer to swim on my back and therefore have no need for a snorkel even on the surface.
@@iainhickman777 Yes it is contentious but my reference is to PADI training, standards and skills from deep water entries, 5 point descents, surface protocols, switching from regulator to snorkel and vice versa. Our training is to PADI standards so we are unable to comment on what other certifying agencies do or even the US Navy :) Responsible diver is reference to PADI diver training standards only as in teaching thats what we train students to do as best practice and according to the highest PADI standards. Clearly surface protocols are subject to conditions of course as on occasions it would be advisable to keep the regulator in and not change to snorkel. Air management also, there needs to be something in a divers mouth at the surface when in water to deep in which to stand ideally for a number of reasons, example surface cramps, fatigue, tiredness, out of air or BCD, buoyancy issues, applying rescue skills on a buddy etc. It would be difficult to comment on your own experience as again there could be many reasons for the problems with surface swimming in full kit. Appreciate your comments though !
Hi Vanessa, yes it normal to get water in the mask but a learned behaviour to not inhale the water through the nose when underwater and if it gets into your mask. A comfortable and good fitting mask helps reduce water in the mask, but it's normal too easily clear this water from the mask and continue with your dive. You can exhale through the nose to release pressure on the mask skirt when underwater, which is normal when descending and as pressure increases. Practice in shallow water to master the art of mask skills, repetition will ensure it becomes second nature and no cause for concern when diving.
I tried this 3 times today in the pool part of my course. Kept getting water up my nose and couldn't get it. My enthusiasm and confidence plummeted. Ugh! You make it look so easy! I really hope I can get it next week!
We understand how frustrating mask skills can be. The thing that you need to remember is that you are not alone.
This is the number one skill that most beginner divers struggle with.
The great thing about PADI courses is that they are performance based and not time based.
This means that you can take as much time as you want to master this skill.
Once you get the hang of it, we promise you will make it look just as easy.
In order to clear the mask properly, you need to develop the correct muscle memory of exhaling out through your nose while the mask is off.
This can take a little time, so remember to be patient with yourself.
When you first take off the mask you can try plugging your nose. This will give you time to relax and to keep from inhaling water up your nose.
You can also try to stand in shallow water with just your regulator in your mouth and put your face in the water. This will give you time to adjust to breathing without a mask.
Try to regulate your breathing and think of something that will help you to relax. (Maybe all the amazing fish you will get to see once you are in the ocean 😊).
When the mask is back on you will need to remind yourself to keep exhaling from your nose.
We have seen some students who need to either touch their nose or hold their regulator to remind them not to blow out through their mouth.
You can also practice this technique outside of the water as well.
As mentioned before, it's all about muscle memory. Practicing will allow you to develop that before you even try to do it underwater.
If you find yourself becoming frustrated take a break.
Ask your Instructor if you can go for a short swim in the shallow end of the pool, or if you can practice another skill.
Sometimes we just need to take a step back and build our confidence up before trying again.
Hope this helps and we would love to hear which piece of advice or technique worked out best for you.
@@IDCKohTao Thank you so much for your thoughtful and helpful response. I have dreadlocks so I don't swim underwater as much as I used to. I think I've just lost the muscle memory. I just ordered a swim cap and I'm going to practice swimming around my pool with just the snorkel to get it back. I think I was breathing out through my mouth, too, and will adjust that.
Thanks again so much. Means a lot.
@@ReikiontheRun You are welcome and do let us know how you get on, which may help others who view this channel 👌
Try it in 50 degree water 😂🤦🏼♂️. I hate removing my mask But every cert i get,they tell us to do it. Told my rebreather instructor id pay him 100$ to forget that skill 😂
this is the best demo on youtube so happy and the music gets my attention!
Thanks for your comment
@@IDCKohTao im doing my IDC here in Utila watching these has helped me greatly she has amazing preformance in her demos its the best I have ever seen!
Instructor is good but i hate these padi course with the useless snorkel.
excellent demo
Won't this like put pressure on your head or something or is it because you still have air thought the breathing tube that your alright?
At depth you should already be comfortable and have equalised your air spaces, including the mask space. However, gently flood the mask first by lifting the skirt, get comfortable again with a fully flooded mask, then remove / replace and clear the mask to perform and complete the skill. Relax, breathe normally and be comfortable at all stages of the skill. Thanks for your comment.
@@IDCKohTao thanks for answering helped alot tysm!
Hi
I had a panic attack while trying to do this skill on my last day of open water certification
Thank you for your comment Ulyana and sorry to hear that you experienced this problem on your Open Water dive.
As we have previously said, mask removal and replacement is a progressive and advanced skill, which is one of the reasons why the PADI course structure progressively introduces beginner students to mask skills with partial mask and full mask flood, before reaching removal and replacement.
Of course, the word 'mastery' is used and performing the skill once in confined water and Open Water is often not enough and students must work with their dive instructors to demonstrate mastery, comfort and confidence when performing any of the skills in the course curriculum.
Any student reading this 'must' not be afraid to discuss and work with their instructor on skill improvement and this is applicable from the very beginning of the course.
A good instructor should have built up a sufficiently good working relationship with each of their students to be able to identify students that need extra support and skill remediation.
I recommend watching our latest Divemaster neutral buoyancy skills and if you are continuing to explore your passion for diving, please message us direct for guidance, tips and insights.
this exercise is not realistic. it should be performed in neutral trim. the mask should be removed quickly because during a dive the most likely reason for losing it is a hit from anothet diver. The snorkel it's totally useless
Thanks for your comment, appreciate it. This video is a little old now and you can check out our videos that are also old but not as old here: idckohtao.com/padi-divemaster-skills-videos/ - Like all responsible dive centres we endeavour to train our students neutrally buoyant where and when appropriate. Regarding the snorkel, we follow agency standards as a PADI CDC 🙏🏻
What really scares me is getting water up my nose
Thanks for your comment on a commonly experienced issue with new divers.
Removal and replacement of the mask is not a skill for your first underwater experience and is a progressive skill built on your ability to master the partial and fully flooded mask skills.
In training and early on, a good instructor will work with you to address your fears when performing skills to help you overcome any anxiety and build your confidence through safe and effective repetition.
Once you practice this skill enough you will naturally become more confident as you begin to understand the relationship between the regulator/mouth and the nose/mask and it becomes second nature.
As a diver, it's really important to master the mask skills and be comfortable without a mask on and/or with a mask on that has water inside of it and then being able to clear it effectively.
On occasions mostly due to a poorly fitted mask, divers encounter a build of water within the mask and need to be able to clear it and continue with their dive. This may happen many times during a dive if the mask is a poor fit.
On the rare occasions that a mask strap snaps, its the same principle: relax, continue to breathe through the mouth/regulator, fit a replacement (that the instructor should be carrying), clear it, find the lost one and continue with the dive. 😊 Practice, practice, practice !
Thank you for all your comments and we would like to ask you to check out the same skill neutrally buoyant in our Divemaster playlist. Enjoy your diving and any constructive comments are always welcome ☺️
how to not get water in the nose ? or at least how to deal with the water while it's inside the nose and throat !
I tried this skill multiple times with no success! 😢
how to not get water in the nose ? or at least how to deal with the water while it's inside the nose and throat !
I tried this skill multiple times with no success! 😢
très bonne démonstration... merci
And if you didn't have a snorkel on you wouldn't to worry about checking if it is twisted
Great comment thanks. The PADI demonstration highlights the use of a snorkel as an integral part of your scuba diving equipment as a responsible diver and plays an important role in skills and for divers at the surface - pre/post dive for many different reasons.
@@IDCKohTao Thx for the feedback. I am interested though in the "many different reasons" you mention. I know wearing/not wearing a snorkel is a very contentious issue, and also in your reply you refer to "as a responsible diver". There was a study done by the US Navy involving 250 Navy Divers, and none of them were able to breathe through a snorkel while submerged (Only joking, but I think you get my point). Should we not rather teach to keep a snorkel on you, but only fit it at the surface? The snorkel has zero value below water, and is in all cases simply a hazard. I recall my wife and I doing open water training and watching my wife get the snorkel entangled in her hair every time she removed her mask. Life without a snorkel underwater is just much easier, and in my opinion safer. What you do on the surface is a different matter, and there I am not debating the point, although I also believe it is personal preference. For example, I am unable to swim on the surface face-down, my boots are buoyant, so my fins simply slap on the water, so I prefer to swim on my back and therefore have no need for a snorkel even on the surface.
@@iainhickman777 Yes it is contentious but my reference is to PADI training, standards and skills from deep water entries, 5 point descents, surface protocols, switching from regulator to snorkel and vice versa.
Our training is to PADI standards so we are unable to comment on what other certifying agencies do or even the US Navy :)
Responsible diver is reference to PADI diver training standards only as in teaching thats what we train students to do as best practice and according to the highest PADI standards. Clearly surface protocols are subject to conditions of course as on occasions it would be advisable to keep the regulator in and not change to snorkel.
Air management also, there needs to be something in a divers mouth at the surface when in water to deep in which to stand ideally for a number of reasons, example surface cramps, fatigue, tiredness, out of air or BCD, buoyancy issues, applying rescue skills on a buddy etc.
It would be difficult to comment on your own experience as again there could be many reasons for the problems with surface swimming in full kit.
Appreciate your comments though !
Is it normal the nose inhale a little bit of water throughout this putting off putting on mask process? Thank you IDC Koh Tao!
Hi Vanessa, yes it normal to get water in the mask but a learned behaviour to not inhale the water through the nose when underwater and if it gets into your mask.
A comfortable and good fitting mask helps reduce water in the mask, but it's normal too easily clear this water from the mask and continue with your dive.
You can exhale through the nose to release pressure on the mask skirt when underwater, which is normal when descending and as pressure increases.
Practice in shallow water to master the art of mask skills, repetition will ensure it becomes second nature and no cause for concern when diving.