I’m in training to get certified, and this skill was eluding me for so long. I watched this video I can’t count how many times, along with a few others, and I FINALLY DID IT!!! Thank you SO much for your tips!! They’re so helpful! 😊
OMG! I'm new to scuba diving and have so much trouble clearing my mask and mask removal. I am definitely watching your video daily to help mentally prepare myself. I will use your techniques. By far the best instructions I have been given. Thank you so much!
I am so happy this video has helped you! You can do it! Seriously! You just need to keep trying. You will overcome any difficulties over time. You just need to give yourself time and a little patience.
2:15 About half way through my open water certification, I was in the pool. The signal 👎🏼 was given to the class to start our decent. I made it about a meter down and my brain started to insist that I wasn’t allowed to inhale, as I was underwater. I told myself it was fine, but my brain didn’t believe me. I had to surface and take my mask and regulator off and out. Breathe and reset. Put everything back together and restarted my decent. I’ll never forget that feeling of conscious mind meets subconscious. And when they at odds with each other.
The subconscious and the conscious, always at odds with each other 🤣 Thank you for sharing your story and also, well done for trying again! This always takes a lot of power and guts. It is one of the best things I see in people when they learn new skills.
I am currently struggling with this. In my certification class we have to clear our mask in 10 ft of water and I always psych myself out. I'm the only one who can't get this skill down!! And I feel like I can't breathe even though I know I can. It really is the strangest feeling
Performing this skill is very difficult! 50 percent of divers have this difficulty so do not stress. Just keep trying. It will eventually click and your body will respond correctly. The most important thing is to take your time. Concentrate on breathing (like in yoga!) and complete each step slowly.
Wow this is so useful! Removing the mask and replacing it was the one thing I found most difficult without panicking under water. I just wish we'd had an instructor who let us do a dry run and who had given us all the tips you show in this video. We literally went down to the bottom of a 3m pool with a whole load of equipment I'd hardly had time to understand and were told to remove our masks and replace them (sign language only). The water went up my nose and I started to choke. Had to get back to the surface the best I knew how where I coughed and spluttered for 5 minutes. A really bad start. Real shame I didn't have an instructor like you who explained it in simple stages.
I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience! How did you get on with the rest of the course? It is a big problem in the industry where by there are so many dive centres competing with each other and so, as prices drop, in order to sustain the centre, courses are rushed and instructor to student ratio is high. On top of that Instructors are paid well below the minimum.
@@SCUBADUO I did the course in Koh Tao during the pandemic beginning of this year. There were only three of us and the instructor. I think the instructor was pretty new and seemed a bit nervous about what he was doing. The rest of the course was fine and I just loved the four 20m dives we did at the end. The coral and sea life around Koh Tao is phenomenal.
@@chris78945 i’m doing this in koh tao too and have the same experience. tomorrow is when we do our first and second dive and i’m pretty nervous as i still haven’t managed to do this comfortably
@@cocomelody321 Hey good luck with your dive tomorrow. Amy's tips above are really useful. If you're short of time and want to practise a bit, you can always just take a snorkel and try breathing in through the tube and out through your nose with the mask off to try to feel comfortable with the sensation of water round your nose. I found this quite helpful,
some great tips - another i use with students who are stuggling a bit is to get them to stand up in waist height water breathing through the reg but remove the mask! Practise breathing in through the mouth and out through the nose then when comfortable slowly kneel so their head goes under water to do it. This helps the muscle memory of breathing in through the reg but out through the nose plus gets them use to breathing from the reg whilst water is around their face! Then repeat but with the mask on......
Thank you so much for the tips- this was super helpful and explicit. I struggled to clear my mask and panicked, and didn't get great coaching from my instructor. I'm going back for second session tonight and will use your tips. Thank you!
Omg ! I thought I was the only one struggling with this exercice but no ! What a relief lol During my first PADI dive, my instructor put some water in my mask … I breathed with my nose and as you can imagine : Panic We were in natural environment at 9 meters… I don’t know why but I removed my regular (probably because I couldn’t breathe because I had water in my throat) and then swam to the surface like a rocket … I continued to dive and got my PADI Scubadiver but since then I’m traumatized … even having nightmares. I really want to continue so I guess I will continue to practice in pools 🤞🏻
Spitting your regulator out is a normal reaction of the body and mask cleaning tends to be a difficult skill. It is difficult but can be overcome! Practise this over and over again in a secure environment and allow yourself the time to become comfortable. Join a club where you have possibly access to a pool as well as the important part, the diving community to support you through it.
I am so happy it helped! Remember always give yourself time in learning a new skill. It is important to give yourself time. Because you will always achieve it in the end 💪 you just have to keep trying
Amy, thanks SOOOOOOO much for this!! After my initial open water course I was still unable to clear my my mask confidently without breathing water up my nose. Which then meant I was anxious during my first dive (following certification) and was starting to think maybe diving wasn’t for me. I watched your video, practiced as per your guidance in our hostel pool and pretty much immediately got the hang of it and now feel confident - No longer concerned that I may die if my mask comes off during a dive 😂 I was actually able to be present and enjoy myself during my last dive. Just doing things slower and knowing there is no rush was a game changing piece of advice, perhaps for life too! Anyway thanks so much again 🙏🏻 Emma
Hi Emma! Thank you so much for your comment. It warms my heart when I read comments like these. Mask clearing is always one of the hardest to overcome so well done for pushing yourself and having courage to keep going. When you begin to feel truly present underwater is when you feel the magic of scuba diving! I am so happy for you 😊#beasloth
I remember i had so much trouble with these tasks in the begining i felt like i had to give up and surface all the time, but at some point with practice it just clicks and your mind finally learns what is actually going on
Thank you for this video, Had my first diving lesson last week, got really annoyed at myself for not getting the hang of this. It's crazy how- Well in a way you have to go against your own 'nature' and what you're used to in a way.
Thank you very much I was seriously struggling with this skill but after seeing your way it really helped me so much, tho my instructor told me not to hold my nose while performing it but doing it for the first time made me confident in doing it in the upcoming days
I am so happy this helped you. You are right! It is a great way to start off and then eventually you do not need to hold your nose anymore. Enjoy your training my friend. You can do it!
Did my open water trial today and used your holding the regulator technique today. Helped me a lot. Can you do a video on removing mask and placing it back on?
What you say about doing things slowly is the issue. From your early years we learn wr must doing everything fast, fast, fast. Fast food, run fast, work fast, it's difficult to slow down when you're programmed to do the opposite!
You are right! Very good insight. We all have this need to slow down. Which is extremely difficult, as you say, in the fast world we live in. That is what is pretty cool of scuba diving and being in the water. Being underwater is one of those wonderful things that teaches us to just slow down.
@@SCUBADUO learning to shoot is another sport where everything has to be done slowly especially target shooting. Controlling your breathing is key, focus on tasks in sequence one at a time. Sounds familiar? Keeping calm controlling your emotions. Question: is the mask clear skill the same for people snorkeling? For example at the surface?
Breathing and being present are the foundations to almost everything. If not everything! Yes you use the same technique. It's great because a person snorkeling does not need to keep lifting their head to clear their mask.
Thanks! hope this helps in my next practice, yesterday I panic because i felt the water in my nose and I swallow water, but I try to keep calm. Gracias!
To panic is a natural feeling! The best thing to work on is to remain calm. If you just concentrate on your breath this will calm your mind and allow you to deal with the problem at hand. You can do it!
Thank you Dazza. I always appreciate your words of support. It has been a while yes! But the next video will not be so far away. Hope you are doing all okay during this crazy time x
@@SCUBADUO mental ain’t it 2020 has been like a dream haha But We gotta do what we can to just get by eh? But at Least you can do what you love tho diving even if it’s in a pool that the main thing . Xx
i am training for my divemaster course the skil isnt a problem for me, but the thing is when demostrating the skill i canot clear the mask once i must clear is multiple times to complete the skil any sulution
Take a deeper breath and blow through the nose with more power at the beginning when you start to look up. Experiment with the amount of force blown out through your nose... be mindful however not to be too forceful! You can experiment with the force at which you blow out through your nose whilst always keeping the demonstration slow. Remember clearing your mask multiple times does not mean you are demonstrating the skill incorrectly. Clearing it the first time just makes the demonstration clearer.
Great question. It isn't the best position to be in! Like you say, the water will more likely travel up your nose making it difficult to blow air from your nose in order to clear your mask. It will cause more problems. The aim is to prevent further problems. Make it easy and always position your head so it is upright.
Amy, I have a question for you, if you can answer it. When I take my mask off under water, I try to clear my mask after I put it back on. But I'm always using having a bit of a problem with clearing my mask. I'm always blowing air in to my mask to clear it, by blowing air in to my mask through my nose. Am I not doing it right? Thanks for any advice you give me, Amy. Corey.
Hi Tostig! I am currently away from London for the summer. I will return during the winter. I will be more than happy to provide one to one tuition. I will let you know when I return 🥰
Mustache? Are you breathing out through your nose when you exhale during your dive? (I always do this!) The mask may be too big for your face... or too small! When clearing your mask, the most important thing to breath out through your nose to flush the mask of water. The next thing is to help lift the skirting of the mask. There are multiple ways to do this, try using one hand (using the palm of the hand) to push the top middle part of the mask. Do this whilst blowing out through your nose and looking up.
@@SCUBADUO yeah will but I also think I pull the skirt too far forward 😅 but I do have a question about the finning and hovering as well. Because I can't seem to ditch the bicycle kick or achieve neutral bouyancy 😅
I’m in training to get certified, and this skill was eluding me for so long. I watched this video I can’t count how many times, along with a few others, and I FINALLY DID IT!!! Thank you SO much for your tips!! They’re so helpful! 😊
Congratulations! Very happy to hear you did it! 💃💃💃 thank you for your lovely comments too 😊
I'm in the same boat as you! I'm terrified for my open water dives!
You are not alone. Been trying to get over the mental block for awhile now
OMG! I'm new to scuba diving and have so much trouble clearing my mask and mask removal. I am definitely watching your video daily to help mentally prepare myself. I will use your techniques. By far the best instructions I have been given. Thank you so much!
I am so happy this video has helped you! You can do it! Seriously! You just need to keep trying. You will overcome any difficulties over time. You just need to give yourself time and a little patience.
I'm.in the same position. I failed today. I find this video so useful. Can't wait to try again, dry first.
I’m glad I ran into your helpful video, I’m mentally preparing myself for my second attempt at mask clearing.
I know you can do it! 💃💃💃
2:15
About half way through my open water certification, I was in the pool. The signal 👎🏼 was given to the class to start our decent. I made it about a meter down and my brain started to insist that I wasn’t allowed to inhale, as I was underwater. I told myself it was fine, but my brain didn’t believe me. I had to surface and take my mask and regulator off and out.
Breathe and reset. Put everything back together and restarted my decent.
I’ll never forget that feeling of conscious mind meets subconscious. And when they at odds with each other.
The subconscious and the conscious, always at odds with each other 🤣 Thank you for sharing your story and also, well done for trying again! This always takes a lot of power and guts. It is one of the best things I see in people when they learn new skills.
I am currently struggling with this. In my certification class we have to clear our mask in 10 ft of water and I always psych myself out. I'm the only one who can't get this skill down!! And I feel like I can't breathe even though I know I can. It really is the strangest feeling
Performing this skill is very difficult! 50 percent of divers have this difficulty so do not stress. Just keep trying. It will eventually click and your body will respond correctly. The most important thing is to take your time. Concentrate on breathing (like in yoga!) and complete each step slowly.
Thank you! I am working on the mind over matter for it but it's embarrassing when I'm the only one in my class struggling 😔
Thank you for making the video. I am a rusty old diver and needed the reminders.🙂
Wow this is so useful! Removing the mask and replacing it was the one thing I found most difficult without panicking under water. I just wish we'd had an instructor who let us do a dry run and who had given us all the tips you show in this video. We literally went down to the bottom of a 3m pool with a whole load of equipment I'd hardly had time to understand and were told to remove our masks and replace them (sign language only). The water went up my nose and I started to choke. Had to get back to the surface the best I knew how where I coughed and spluttered for 5 minutes. A really bad start. Real shame I didn't have an instructor like you who explained it in simple stages.
I am sorry to hear you had a bad experience! How did you get on with the rest of the course?
It is a big problem in the industry where by there are so many dive centres competing with each other and so, as prices drop, in order to sustain the centre, courses are rushed and instructor to student ratio is high. On top of that Instructors are paid well below the minimum.
@@SCUBADUO I did the course in Koh Tao during the pandemic beginning of this year. There were only three of us and the instructor. I think the instructor was pretty new and seemed a bit nervous about what he was doing. The rest of the course was fine and I just loved the four 20m dives we did at the end. The coral and sea life around Koh Tao is phenomenal.
@@chris78945 i’m doing this in koh tao too and have the same experience. tomorrow is when we do our first and second dive and i’m pretty nervous as i still haven’t managed to do this comfortably
@@cocomelody321 Hey good luck with your dive tomorrow. Amy's tips above are really useful. If you're short of time and want to practise a bit, you can always just take a snorkel and try breathing in through the tube and out through your nose with the mask off to try to feel comfortable with the sensation of water round your nose. I found this quite helpful,
Love the way you demonstrate, I got my all confidence back
some great tips - another i use with students who are stuggling a bit is to get them to stand up in waist height water breathing through the reg but remove the mask! Practise breathing in through the mouth and out through the nose then when comfortable slowly kneel so their head goes under water to do it. This helps the muscle memory of breathing in through the reg but out through the nose plus gets them use to breathing from the reg whilst water is around their face! Then repeat but with the mask on......
This is a great idea! 🥰 Thank you for sharing this. This sequence of breathing would make all the difference x
Thank you so much for the tips- this was super helpful and explicit. I struggled to clear my mask and panicked, and didn't get great coaching from my instructor. I'm going back for second session tonight and will use your tips. Thank you!
I hope everything went well with your second session! Thank you so much for your comments 🥲
Really great videos! Hopefully you will be posting more soon!
This gave me the confidence that I need! I always struggle with mask clearing. The first tip would be perfect. Thank you!
This comment made my day! I am so happy you feel more confident 💪💃
Same here.. I am also struggling with mask clearing.. Thanks scuba Amy for the good tips..
Thankyou Amy! You have helped me so much!
We should we look down before the mask clearing?
Amy, thank you. I was and am really mentally struggling with this skill. Thank you for your video.
You are very welcome! I am so happy it has helped. Just remember slowly slowly... you can do it. Just give yourself time.
Omg ! I thought I was the only one struggling with this exercice but no ! What a relief lol
During my first PADI dive, my instructor put some water in my mask … I breathed with my nose and as you can imagine : Panic
We were in natural environment at 9 meters… I don’t know why but I removed my regular (probably because I couldn’t breathe because I had water in my throat) and then swam to the surface like a rocket … I continued to dive and got my PADI Scubadiver but since then I’m traumatized … even having nightmares.
I really want to continue so I guess I will continue to practice in pools 🤞🏻
Spitting your regulator out is a normal reaction of the body and mask cleaning tends to be a difficult skill. It is difficult but can be overcome! Practise this over and over again in a secure environment and allow yourself the time to become comfortable. Join a club where you have possibly access to a pool as well as the important part, the diving community to support you through it.
youve explained this skill the best so far this is the hardest part for me...thanks
I am so happy it helped! Remember always give yourself time in learning a new skill. It is important to give yourself time. Because you will always achieve it in the end 💪 you just have to keep trying
Amy, thanks SOOOOOOO much for this!!
After my initial open water course I was still unable to clear my my mask confidently without breathing water up my nose. Which then meant I was anxious during my first dive (following certification) and was starting to think maybe diving wasn’t for me. I watched your video, practiced as per your guidance in our hostel pool and pretty much immediately got the hang of it and now feel confident - No longer concerned that I may die if my mask comes off during a dive 😂 I was actually able to be present and enjoy myself during my last dive. Just doing things slower and knowing there is no rush was a game changing piece of advice, perhaps for life too!
Anyway thanks so much again 🙏🏻
Emma
Hi Emma! Thank you so much for your comment. It warms my heart when I read comments like these. Mask clearing is always one of the hardest to overcome so well done for pushing yourself and having courage to keep going. When you begin to feel truly present underwater is when you feel the magic of scuba diving! I am so happy for you 😊#beasloth
I remember i had so much trouble with these tasks in the begining i felt like i had to give up and surface all the time, but at some point with practice it just clicks and your mind finally learns what is actually going on
Yes exactly! It is all about practise and doing things in your own time. There is no rush. The best thing to do is be patient with yourself.
Love your ascent and you make the video so enjoyable ty and your underwater demonstrator was awesome too, stay safe, stay awesome 👌
Thank you Daryl for your comment! 🤗 Happy you liked the video. My accent! 🤣
Best explanation I've seen so far
Thank you for this video,
Had my first diving lesson last week, got really annoyed at myself for not getting the hang of this.
It's crazy how- Well in a way you have to go against your own 'nature' and what you're used to in a way.
Wow... I really appreciate your mask cleaning tips
Brilliant tips coach! I almost got drown when trying to do my 1st mask clearing recently in the pool.. LOL
Thank you very much I was seriously struggling with this skill but after seeing your way it really helped me so much, tho my instructor told me not to hold my nose while performing it but doing it for the first time made me confident in doing it in the upcoming days
I am so happy this helped you. You are right! It is a great way to start off and then eventually you do not need to hold your nose anymore. Enjoy your training my friend. You can do it!
Did my open water trial today and used your holding the regulator technique today. Helped me a lot. Can you do a video on removing mask and placing it back on?
I wish I did my OW course with you many years ago! Congrats, stunning tips and super engaging video
This helped me so much! Thank you so much for this!
Yayy! I am so happy it helped! You can do anything when you give yourself time and space. Enjoy scuba diving x
I'm in the middle of my mask clearing and great video it really helped 👌
I am happy this helped! This is one of the difficult skills so the most important thing is to take your time in learning it
Great advice. Thank you.
Much love and lots of thanks from a beginner diver!
Thank you for your comment! Enjoy diving my fellow diver 😘💪🙌
Awesome video Amy!! More of these please!
Luke you absolute dude! Thank you for your comment. Loving your content too 😘😘😘 GO CHECK OUT LUKE!
What you say about doing things slowly is the issue. From your early years we learn wr must doing everything fast, fast, fast. Fast food, run fast, work fast, it's difficult to slow down when you're programmed to do the opposite!
You are right! Very good insight. We all have this need to slow down. Which is extremely difficult, as you say, in the fast world we live in. That is what is pretty cool of scuba diving and being in the water. Being underwater is one of those wonderful things that teaches us to just slow down.
@@SCUBADUO learning to shoot is another sport where everything has to be done slowly especially target shooting. Controlling your breathing is key, focus on tasks in sequence one at a time. Sounds familiar? Keeping calm controlling your emotions.
Question: is the mask clear skill the same for people snorkeling? For example at the surface?
Breathing and being present are the foundations to almost everything. If not everything!
Yes you use the same technique. It's great because a person snorkeling does not need to keep lifting their head to clear their mask.
Awesome tips to try this weekend
I hope they come in handy! 🤞
This video helped me so much. Thank you!
This makes me happy! 😍 this is one of the toughest skills. Practise makes perfect but also allowing yourself time to learn it. Take your time.
Thanks! hope this helps in my next practice, yesterday I panic because i felt the water in my nose and I swallow water, but I try to keep calm. Gracias!
To panic is a natural feeling! The best thing to work on is to remain calm. If you just concentrate on your breath this will calm your mind and allow you to deal with the problem at hand. You can do it!
Love your videos Amy
It’s been a while but good to see an update ♥️
Thank you Dazza. I always appreciate your words of support.
It has been a while yes! But the next video will not be so far away. Hope you are doing all okay during this crazy time x
@@SCUBADUO mental ain’t it
2020 has been like a dream haha
But We gotta do what we can to just get by eh?
But at Least you can do what you love tho diving even if it’s in a pool that the main thing . Xx
Thank you Amy !
You are very welcome Edzia!
i am training for my divemaster course the skil isnt a problem for me, but the thing is when demostrating the skill i canot clear the mask once i must clear is multiple times to complete the skil any sulution
Take a deeper breath and blow through the nose with more power at the beginning when you start to look up. Experiment with the amount of force blown out through your nose... be mindful however not to be too forceful! You can experiment with the force at which you blow out through your nose whilst always keeping the demonstration slow.
Remember clearing your mask multiple times does not mean you are demonstrating the skill incorrectly. Clearing it the first time just makes the demonstration clearer.
Also good luck with your dive master course! 💃💃💃
thank you so much for emphasis to slow down
Be a sloth 🧘🏼♀️
Tomorrow i have my open water exam in openwater. Today i had problems with this so this really helps me tanks
Good luck with your exam! 💪 Just take your time with all your skills
@@SCUBADUO thanks! Your tip with pinching the nose did it for me. I was totally relaxed.
I got certified! Next month ill do my nitrox and deep dive.
😎 Happy to hear this! Enjoy the rest of your diving journey 💃💃💃
@@SCUBADUO subscribed!
Thank you 🥲 more videos to come!
Hi Amy. Shared thanks again.
Thanks for sharing! Keep a look out for more videos that might work well with your playlist. Always welcome to use
@@SCUBADUO Cool thanks. Ill let you know when I get around to doing mine (Post lockdown) Would appreciate any suggestions you might have.
@@snorkellingireland1470 Yes! I look forward to seeing what you create 🙌
is it safe to remove the mask while being up side down? I'm asking because in that position the nose will fill up with water. what do you think?
Great question. It isn't the best position to be in! Like you say, the water will more likely travel up your nose making it difficult to blow air from your nose in order to clear your mask. It will cause more problems. The aim is to prevent further problems. Make it easy and always position your head so it is upright.
Amy, I have a question for you, if you can answer it. When I take my mask off under water, I try to clear my mask after I put it back on. But I'm always using having a bit of a problem with clearing my mask. I'm always blowing air in to my mask to clear it, by blowing air in to my mask through my nose. Am I not doing it right? Thanks for any advice you give me, Amy. Corey.
I have no idea what do you mean...
@@jenslindnerfotografie what I mean is when I take my mask off u/w I try clearing the water out of it by blowing air through my nose .
Great video :)
🥲🥲🥲
Love
Hi Amy. Do you offer one to one tuition at a diving school near London?
Hi Tostig! I am currently away from London for the summer. I will return during the winter. I will be more than happy to provide one to one tuition. I will let you know when I return 🥰
Hell I’m aow and still struggle with mask clearing cause I can never get it fully cleared lol
Mustache? Are you breathing out through your nose when you exhale during your dive? (I always do this!) The mask may be too big for your face... or too small! When clearing your mask, the most important thing to breath out through your nose to flush the mask of water. The next thing is to help lift the skirting of the mask. There are multiple ways to do this, try using one hand (using the palm of the hand) to push the top middle part of the mask. Do this whilst blowing out through your nose and looking up.
@@SCUBADUO yeah will but I also think I pull the skirt too far forward 😅 but I do have a question about the finning and hovering as well. Because I can't seem to ditch the bicycle kick or achieve neutral bouyancy 😅
give ths video in germany please
I really like hearing your English accent pronunciation on little bit
Be a sloth, be a turtle, slow down. Got it brains?
All above is me
I tried this in a swimming pool and water would just flood my nose and sinuses no matter what I did. That’s why I could never become a diver.
Get to the point faster love