What happens if you don’t equalize your mask?
I just took my first freediving class and we had some discussion on mask equalizing. Unless I do it subconsciously, I’m not doing it. I used to do it scuba diving several years ago, but in freediving, I never even think of it. I have only been down to 40’ so far, but definitely have plans of going further once I get past ear equalization in the vertical position. I spearfish and am getting tired of the shooting the species in the 40’ and above level.
I asked my instructor if there were any negative effects besides pain from the mask contact, if I didn’t equalize. He said that at about 100’ if I didn’t equalize that I could suffer eye damage. Is that true? Why would there be more pressure on the eyes with an unequalized mask than one that is equalized and therefore has the same pressure as the water.
Unfortunately the diving part of the class was taught at a site that was only 22’ deep so the deep diving part was just theory and not practice.
Thanks
Don
I just took my first freediving class and we had some discussion on mask equalizing. Unless I do it subconsciously, I’m not doing it. I used to do it scuba diving several years ago, but in freediving, I never even think of it. I have only been down to 40’ so far, but definitely have plans of going further once I get past ear equalization in the vertical position. I spearfish and am getting tired of the shooting the species in the 40’ and above level.
I asked my instructor if there were any negative effects besides pain from the mask contact, if I didn’t equalize. He said that at about 100’ if I didn’t equalize that I could suffer eye damage. Is that true? Why would there be more pressure on the eyes with an unequalized mask than one that is equalized and therefore has the same pressure as the water.
Unfortunately the diving part of the class was taught at a site that was only 22’ deep so the deep diving part was just theory and not practice.
Thanks
Don