Overcome Your Scuba Diving Fears: #1 Flooded Mask
29 Apr 2021If you will be holidaying in the Maldives, scuba diving is an absolute must-do activity, the coral reefs and incredible marine life are never more than a few fin kicks away. Unfortunately, fear sometimes prevents people from experiencing the joys of diving and they don’t get to come face to face with turtles or watch as huge mantas glide overhead or even be surrounded by countless colourful fish. It is our mission to calm the nerves and alleviate fears, allowing as many people as possible to go home from their holiday with unforgettable memories of the underwater wonderland for which the Maldives is so famous.
One of the most common fears for beginners is that their mask will flood with water or break.
One of the first skills you learn when you start diving, either on the PADI Open Water Diver or PADI Scuba Diver courses, and also the PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program, is to clear water from your mask. It’s an essential skill since even the best fitting mask will allow tiny amounts of water in but if you’re worried, check our tips to help you overcome your fear:
- Having your mask too tight will make it more likely to leak – the seals won’t work properly as they will be squashed and you’ll end up coming out of the water with a perfect mask shaped imprint on your face!
- Check the fit of your mask by holding it gently to your face, without the strap, and inhale through your nose – if it sticks to your face it fits.
- It’s really easy to clear water from your mask while underwater – just push the top of the mask against your forehead, exhale through your nose while tilting your head up slightly – this adds air to the mask which pushes the water out. It will become second nature as your gain more experience underwater.
- Practice by sitting or lying in very shallow water (even the bath at home!) with your face submerged and using a snorkel to breathe through your mouth – this is a great way of getting used to breathing through your mouth and feeling water on your face.
- If you’re already qualified but still have the fear of water in your mask, do a refresher session with an instructor and practice mask skills in the shallows until totally comfortable – the rest of your diving will be much more enjoyable.
- Remember that when diving we use only our mouth to breathe and a flooded mask makes no difference – the regulator will still be there and you CAN still breathe!
Prodivers instructors are friendly, patient and used to helping divers overcome their fears – simply let them know what’s worrying you and they will do all they can to help you work through it.