[island_sands]

I wouldn't remove my mask, for risk of water inhalation and also remember monkey see monkey do, someone else might see you doing it and then panic, inhale. You dont have visibility with your mask removed and may become disorientated. Also why would you want to expend even more precious energy and O2 by removing your mask?

One person's "new safety protocol" doesn't necessarily mean it's gospel. all that you read on Deeperblue ain't gospel either.