[trux]

Yes, Pete, I totally agree with you that it is better (and necessary) to watch that you never get in such situation, and also that when you then need it, in the panic you won't think about about dropping the belt or removing the mask. That's why I wrote you should drill it at every just little bit longer (though still largely safe) dive. When it becomes an automatism, you have better chance it helps you when you really need it.

I admit I do not remove my mask (or did not yet start trying to do it), but I do regularly open my belt buckle when ascending from any deeper or longer dive (say in about 50% of cases). It became so automatic that I do not need to think about it, and it does not cause any discomfort.