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- Water in my mask makes me panic
What is happening
With a leak or a flooded mask, you may want to surface, breathe in through your nose or stop breathing. The mask is for vision and the regulator is your breathing source; keeping that distinction clear helps you stay calm.
Why it happens
Ordered from the most common cause down. Open one to see the mechanism behind it.
Water around your face can trigger an involuntary urge to inhale or flee to the surface. In fact, the regulator continues to supply air, while the mask mainly provides vision.
- anxiety
- an unfamiliar sensation around the nose
- cold water on the face
Hair, a strap or neoprene under the mask skirt lets water in. Even a small amount of hair can break the seal.
- hair under the skirt
- a strap under the skirt
- neoprene from a hood under the skirt
A fin kick or contact with a buddy can dislodge the mask and break the seal. If you react abruptly, you may drop it rather than replace and clear it.
- a kick from a buddy
- contact while swimming close
- the strap being pulled
Mask removal, replacement and clearing are rarely needed on an ordinary dive. Without calm repetition, the sequence and your confidence fade.
- practice only during the course
- no shallow-water rehearsal
- skipping a refresher
What to try on your next dive
One thing, not ten. Give it a full dive before you judge it.
Calm partial flood and clear
- In calm, shallow water with a buddy or instructor, establish a slow, steady regulator-breathing rhythm.
- Tilt your head slightly and open the lower edge of the mask to let in a little water.
- Keep the top of the frame against your forehead, look slightly up and exhale gently through your nose.
- When the mask is clear, check the skirt and strap for hair, neoprene or twisting.
- Rehearse the movement above water before doing it in a pool or shallow water.
- With an instructor, progress gradually to a fully flooded mask and mask removal/replacement.
How you will know it is working
| Published reference | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PADI CW2 | breathe without a mask for at least 1 minute | PADI Instructor Manual |
| PADI CW4 | swim without a mask for at least 15 m, then replace and clear it | PADI Instructor Manual |
Note whether you stayed on the regulator with normal breathing, held the mask throughout the exercise and restored the seal.
- Never hold your breath while flooding, removing or clearing your mask.
- Hold your mask with your hands while removing and replacing it; do not let it go.
- If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, keep your eyes closed during the exercise.
- If you lose your mask at depth, first secure your regulator and keep breathing; the mask is not life-support equipment.