Mask Squeeze - A Timely Reminder.

by Lester Quayle.

It is almost impossible to find a good photograph of a "mask squeeze". If you find this one useful please let me know - and where you are in the world  - just for fun. Email Paul here.

I was boat diving off Los Gigantes Tenerife in late January. I decended normally dive but had to resurface as my buddy had problems. I saw him safely back on board then descended again to meet the divemaster (my instructor) who was waiting at the anchor at 15 metres. I felt I should hurry as we were to do some tasks for my Advanced Open Water qualification. 

I descended too fast with big gaps between equalising. I soon realised that my ears were not clearing and tried too hard to clear them. I was concentrating so much on doing this that I did not notice the mask squeeze begin. It seemed like the mask suddenly gave way and collapsed into my face. After what was probably only 30 seconds I went back up the anchor line maybe 3-4 metres, cleared my ears and exhaled through my nose to adjust the pressure in my mask. After that the dive was fine.

On surfacing I had a slight nose bleed but that was all. The real impact of what had happened became clear as the day went  on but when I woke up the next morning the face that greeted me in the

Photograph of "mask-squeezed" eyes.

You may copy and use this photograph for training purposes provided that acknowledgement
is given to Lester Quayle and Rita Barton. Photograph is copyright, Rita Barton.

 bathroom mirror was pretty scary. My eyes were completely bloodshot with no whites at all and the eyelids and surrounding area looked like I had gone 2 rounds with Mike Tyson. You can see in the photograph that bruising to my face has faded after 5 days but the eyes themselves still look like I am auditioning for a part in a sci fi movie. I have been wearing dark glasses all the time (even at night) as my appearance scares people!

I did dive again on the trip and completed my AOW. I did learn a big lesson and in future I will descend in a more controlled way. I will equalise regularly and , although men are not supposed to be able to do this, try to do two things at once - adjust my mask pressure and equalise my ears at the same time. 

The optician tells me there is no damage and the blood in my eyes will fade so it could have been worse. I have learned a very valuable lesson though.

Lester Quayle 
01/02/2004

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