loosing the mask for depth

[azapa]

Hey there. It would be great to have a little feedback to help through my next challenge: loosing the mask for depth competitions.

I have done great (IMHO) with a mask so far, and being a spearo really like to see well down there. My PB is a very comfortable 65m done without packing, an aqualung micromask and no ear riding. I have watched others loose the mask to great benefit, and tried myself (half heartedly).

I found no mask or goggles very uncomfortable in 24C water. A huge dive response, and huge early contractions. It just sucked big time. With fluid googles, I hated the drunk feeling (seeing two lines, and not seeing at all when surfacing). Also, the nose clip was uncomfortable to manage the de-equalizing air in the way up.

To those who may have been there: any tips to break the mask addiction?

Huge thanks in advance.

 

[growingupninja]

Have you looked at pipe goggles? I made a pair for deep spearing and did some testing--they worked and it was somewhat amazing to eq with little more than a tiny puff of air, but for actual deep spearing conditions (currents, swell, safetying other divers, only one free hand, serial diving) they were completely useless and I abandoned them for good when I realized I could EQ my trusty Cressi Super Ochio to 35M, which is plenty deep enough for now. But if I was a line diver I would wear pipe goggles.

 

[growingupninja]

Also, huge early DR/contractions may be uncomfortable but for competition a good thing since it would extend your limits, no?

 

[esom]

Hi Azapa, i suggest you give it some time. i know it feels like something that is done to you and it feels like it was due to inherent conditiones. But it changes - just like the urge to breathe changes with time and the experiences one gains through working with a buddy. Ah, btw. i think, things that are well done alone produce a particularly good context, for relaxation and noseclip use to become less paradoxic.

 

[Kars]

Loosing the mask addiction?

Well diving without vision is much more scary. So it's about overcoming that fear of less/no control.
Start with nose clip only statics, then dynamics, then free immersion, then cnf, then cwt (higher speeds and more depth).

On the way up you can remove the noseclip. Make sure it fits nice and comfortably. Comfort helps a lot.

Next challenge: diving nose clip only in a Swedish fjord

 

[azapa]

Thanks Guys. I already do static with only a nose clip just fine. Dynamics in a pool and no goggles really bug me with the chlorine (and the movement, if that makes sense?). I guess its just down to more practice, although I had hoped somebody who had gone through this might share their route.

 

[Mullins]

Personally I like my mask to be quite tight. But you could get rid of it altogether?

You should get used to it pretty quickly Simon, might just have to put up with some discomfort at first. On the ascent, preventing embarrassing ear explosions is just a matter of opening the soft palate.

 

[azapa]

Dave. I think NZ is about as cold and murky as Chile. Did you "learn" to live without it there before heading for warmer waters? In a pool first?

I know... I should just harden the f/ up and get over it.....

 

[Mullins]

We've got 19C surface temp and 8C bottom temp for summer training in the lake. I pretty much just started using a noseclip in the lake, never tried in a pool because I don't like chlorine - or hitting my head. I remember being so happy I could streamline on the way down that I largely ignored other aspects like poor vision.

I'm not sure there are any particular tricks associated with using a noseclip, it probably is just a case of doing it until you feel comfortable.

 

[Bill]

Don't want to disagree with any of the other advice. Losing the mask will be about 5 meters at 65. I still have mixed feelings about it but, if 5 more becomes meaningful (new record or contest win) then I'll go for your 'suck it up' and do it.

 

[azapa]

Bill, i think it depends on the mask. I use a micromask with my corrective lenses glued on the inside, for about a 66ml volume. At that depth (65m on) one more EQ is worth a lot of depth, probably 10 or 15m according to eardrum flexibility. That will take me way past my current thorax/trachea flexibility comfort zone. The streamline point Dave makes is very interesting.

It was interesting to see Carlos Coste (an eternal and excellent mask diver) in the recent Roatan comp, he ditched the mask there, or shortly before with quite lower than PB results. I assume he see's it as an investment that will pay off a few comps down the road.

 

[Bill]

Yes, I know what the numbers say but, in the real world I've seen 5-10 divers do it and the answer has always been the same as the PFI estimate from 10 years ago, less than 10%.