Avoiding snot syndrome????

[greendiver]

Originally Posted by Fondueset

Truth be told - I think the snot phenomena is a function of water exposure and pressue changes. Mucous production increases to protect the membranes in the sinuses etc. I think cold also increases it. My dive buddy is a veritable snot-fest. He has a beard and mustache and actually relies on it to seal his mask. I told him if we get interviewed by TV types just shutup and keep your mask on. I don't get near as much and it is normally clear.

STV....snot tv.....

[greendiver]

Originally Posted by Tania75

guys, i'm so glad snot is obviously hazzard of the trade and I will not be vomited upon for having the occassional snoty dive!!!
It's just a bugger if I'm trying to impress someone under water eh!!
Is there any chance that some divers find it attractive???? or am I pulling at short straws there!!! lol

...some menbers might think....

[Linda]

I think it got to to do whith experience, they know what can happen and cleans themself if they need to befor going up from the water while all other coop with themself for some seconds Oh, and it's diffrent for people, I for example never had that problem but some of my more experienced buddies does.

Cheers!

[land shark]

I just flood my mask and clear to feed the little fishes

[DiverTodd]

Or, you could just do what I do, between dives, the subtle "Grab & Wipe";

1. Lift mask, grab nose with thumb and forefinger
2. Pull down, twice
3. Discretely rub thumb and forefinger together underwater to rinse
4. Hope nobody was watching

This is especially effective on the dreaded "Pool Snot"!

Todd

[Tania75]

DiverTodd!!!!
At last, some practical advice!! I will give it a go during my next pool visit this week!! I'm probably being paranoid, but better to be safe than snotty!!
Glad I'm not alone in fighting the green disease!!!

[deep thinker]

I think it happens because of pressure changes and water getting into the sinuses. So if things do get a bit free flowing all you do when you surface is lift your mask close one nostril with your index finger and blow, repeat on other nostril and rinse excess from glove in the water. Much easier and who cares what the other divers think, you get more time u/w for being efficient

[LastOneOut]

I think Linda is correct. The group I dive with 2 instructors and a few DM's, when instructing we all know to take our mask off and wash off our face as soon as we surface with students. If one of us sees another with snot we let the other know cause from the student perspective it is nasty if not funny and distracting. This is probably why your instructors all seem to be snotless - they snot but are just good/quick at getting it off their face ext.

[greendiver]

Ofcourse, you get quick at getting it of your face, however I have noticed that if divers get better at equalizing they have less problems with the snot.
When I started I used to use the Vasalva method (like 99 percent probably), with time, without noticing it, I changed to frenzel.
Frenzel is less "EXPLOSIVE", a better and safer method aswell...now I have less "snot problems".

[Fondueset]

Dairy consumption is definitely a factor - along with a bunch of other stuff.

Yeah - I think snotty chicks are hot

[Tania75]

Greendiver dude!!
I'm confused, vasalva?? Frenzel?? please note that I am new to diving and these technical terms are well beyond my current understanding!! can rephrase them for me in beginners language!!

Fondueset!! I'm yours, lol!!

[Fondueset]

Eric Fattah has a brilliant paper on Frenzel and HERE IT IS!!

Frenzel Unveiled!!

[DiverTodd]

Learning the Frenzel will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

Todd

[Tania75]

mmmm The Frenzel!!!
thanks for the tip, I have had a look at this on the net, first of all I have to figure out which is my epilottis!!! its like being back at school in the biology lab!!!
soft palate in a neutral position???? I'm quite a way off this still at the moment!! Buoyency is still number 1 on my action points!!!
But hey, I can be working towards this, cheers!!! - I might try it in the bath!!

[sanso]

Originally Posted by Tania75

mmmm The Frenzel!!!
thanks for the tip, I have had a look at this on the net, first of all I have to figure out which is my epilottis!!! its like being back at school in the biology lab!!!
soft palate in a neutral position???? I'm quite a way off this still at the moment!! Buoyency is still number 1 on my action points!!!
But hey, I can be working towards this, cheers!!! - I might try it in the bath!!

Frenzel rocks hard.
Eric's document is really good as it also tells You how to locate the muscles You're supposted to flex. And You can also learn to do the Frenzel on dry land. During a rest breat I spent half an hour by the pool learning the frenzel step by step along the document. I must have looked like a complete dork trying to willingly control my soft palate, but in the end everything worked out just wonderfully. And, yes, it will become easier and more effective and efficient with practice.
The Frenzel is not just as important when SCUBY-doing as it is when freediving, but it certainly makes equalisation even less of a hassle.