If you are taking your first steps in the world of diving or On the contrary, you are already an expert, you probably want to know or know each of the inconveniences that may arise, well, perfect! Because in addition to remembering them, we bring you the solutions!
Water entering the mask
One of the most frequent problems without a doubt. The solution? Buy well. Yes, it's that simple... Don't skimp on the mask. You have to keep in mind that each face is different, you can try a thousand models because there is a wide variety on the market: black and transparent silicone; with one, two or more crystals; with an angle to increase vision...
The main reasons why water can penetrate your mask are:
Water entering the mask
One of the most frequent problems without a doubt. The solution? Buy well. Yes, it's that simple... Don't skimp on the mask. You have to keep in mind that each face is different, you can try a thousand models because there is a wide variety on the market: black and transparent silicone; with one, two or more crystals; with an angle to increase vision...
The main reasons why water can penetrate your mask are:
- Faulty adjustment.
- Hood or hair "caught" under the mask. Make sure it doesn't happen. If you have long hair, it is better to wear it up in a ponytail.
- Deterioration of the silicone, or of the fastening strap. It is best to store the mask in a rigid box of its size for transporting it. You will avoid bumps that could break the glass and unsolvable deformations in the shape of the mask. Do not let the mask dry in the sun or expose it for too long, it ends up "itching", and one day the least expected day the strap or last will break. Take care of your mask like the rest of the team.
- Due to a blow of the hand or fin of your beloved buddy or another diver. Try to pay attention to the movements of other nearby divers (especially if they are ahead), and anticipate their actions so that this does not happen.
What to do when water gets inside the mask?
- We will place the mask correctly, we will look towards the surface while we place two fingers on the top of the ring that surrounds the lenses and we will blow through the nose continuously until they have completely emptied . As the air rises, it is blocked at the top and will empty your mask of water. Repeat the operation if necessary.
- In no case, although We would have lost the mask, we will ascend uncontrollablyto the surface. We will wait, breathing calmly, for our partner to notice the problem and together we will climb, respecting the speed of ascent.
Fogging of the windows
There is nothing worse on a dive than missing half of what your companions have seen because your glasses are foggy. The solution?
- Regularly clean the windows with degreasing products (scouring products work well) and rinse them well afterwards. In immersion, especially if there is a difference between the outside temperature and the water temperature, vapors and oil from your skin accumulate. Other home remedies are: lemon, potato, toothpaste and, of course, saliva. But if you want them to be effective, never wet the mask before using them and rinse it afterwards.
- Just in case none of this works, it doesn't hurt to carry some spare glasses in a pocket of your jacket.
Problems with the regulator
If for some reason water enters the nozzle of your second stage, it may be broken or split. It is a good idea to check the regulator, the condition of the silicone and the fastening before diving. If it is damaged, change it immediately. It is not pleasant to be left with the mouthpiece, or a piece in your mouth, without being able to breathe. It is also not very easy or comfortable to breathe without a mouthpiece.
If it happens in immersion you can continue, pressing the purge button of the second stage, but you will use much more air than normally.
Loss of ballast
It will always be better to distribute the weight equally around the waist without twisting it and tightly around the waist with the help of the buckle (if present). It is plastic better as the metal ones rust). Remember that under water, due to the effect of pressure, the body and the neoprene are compressed and it can sag below the waist if you have not adjusted it well. Whenever you handle it hold it by the strap, never by the buckle.
If for some reason water enters the nozzle of your second stage, it may be broken or split. It is a good idea to check the regulator, the condition of the silicone and the fastening before diving. If it is damaged, change it immediately. It is not pleasant to be left with the mouthpiece, or a piece in your mouth, without being able to breathe. It is also not very easy or comfortable to breathe without a mouthpiece.
If it happens in immersion you can continue, pressing the purge button of the second stage, but you will use much more air than normally.
Loss of ballast
It will always be better to distribute the weight equally around the waist without twisting it and tightly around the waist with the help of the buckle (if present). It is plastic better as the metal ones rust). Remember that under water, due to the effect of pressure, the body and the neoprene are compressed and it can sag below the waist if you have not adjusted it well. Whenever you handle it hold it by the strap, never by the buckle.
- It is important not to get rid of it if necessary as you cannot, especially near the surface. If you lose at the bottom, ask your partner for help. Kneel on the bottom and with their help position it correctly. If you can't, don't let go, ascend with it in your hand.
- In an extreme case, if you ascend without ballast, try to do it as slowly as possible, braking with the position of the fins parallel to the surface, or in an inverted position with fins facing the bottom, to compensate for the buoyancy of the suit.
Loss of a fin
It will always be essential to choose good fins, since a poor condition of the fixings or the fastening strip of your fin can cause you to lose it during the dive. Are you wondering how to act?
- Get your partner's attention and slowly ascend to the surface. If necessary you can use the jacket, but do not insist on continuing with the inversion, as you may suffer a cramp since you will not be able to maintain the normal pace.
Dehydration. Cramps
When we breathe, due to the dryness of the air in the bottle, our bodyloses twice as much water vaporin humidifying that air as under normal conditions. Other associated phenomena such as hypercapnia (CO2 poisoning breathed at high pressure) or cold, stimulate diuresis (loss of fluid through urine) and reduce the volume of blood plasma. This phenomenon, in addition to considerably increasing the risk of a decompression accident, can cause muscle problems. How to prevent ourselves?
- It will be essential to hydrate well before the dive and, of course, maintain a acceptable physical condition. And although it may not seem like a lie, choose fins based on your ability, you should purchase fins of an intermediate hardness, similar to your physical condition and propulsion technique.
Possible snags
In many coastal areas there is a danger of getting snagged on fishing gear, or remains of boat nets stuck on the bottom, as the risk does not only exist in shipwrecks, caves or grottoes.
Before any hook you lose at the bottom, ask your partner for help. Kneel on the bottom and with their help position it correctly. If you can't, don't let go, ascend with it in your hand.
In an extreme case, if you ascend without ballast, try to do it as slowly as possible, braking with the position of the fins parallel to the surface, or in an inverted position with fins facing the bottom, to compensate for the buoyancy of the suit.
Loss of a fin
It will always be essential to choose good fins, since a poor condition of the fixings or the fastening strip of your fin can cause you to lose it during the dive. Are you wondering how to act?
Dehydration. Cramps
When we breathe, due to the dryness of the air in the bottle, our bodyloses twice as much water vaporin humidifying that air as under normal conditions. Other associated phenomena such as hypercapnia (CO2 poisoning breathed at high pressure) or cold, stimulate diuresis (loss of fluid through urine) and reduce the volume of blood plasma. This phenomenon, in addition to considerably increasing the risk of a decompression accident, can cause muscle problems. How to prevent ourselves?
In many coastal areas there is a danger of getting snagged on fishing gear, or remains of boat nets stuck on the bottom, as the risk does not only exist in shipwrecks, caves or grottoes.
Before any hook you lose at the bottom, ask your partner for help. Kneel on the bottom and with their help position it correctly. If you can't, don't let go, ascend with it in your hand.
Loss of a fin
It will always be essential to choose good fins, since a poor condition of the fixings or the fastening strip of your fin can cause you to lose it during the dive. Are you wondering how to act?
- Get your partner's attention and slowly ascend to the surface. If necessary you can use the jacket, but do not insist on continuing with the inversion, as you may suffer a cramp since you will not be able to maintain the normal pace.
Dehydration. Cramps
When we breathe, due to the dryness of the air in the bottle, our bodyloses twice as much water vaporin humidifying that air as under normal conditions. Other associated phenomena such as hypercapnia (CO2 poisoning breathed at high pressure) or cold, stimulate diuresis (loss of fluid through urine) and reduce the volume of blood plasma. This phenomenon, in addition to considerably increasing the risk of a decompression accident, can cause muscle problems. How to prevent ourselves?
- It will be essential to hydrate well before the dive and, of course, maintain a acceptable physical condition. And although it may not seem like a lie, choose fins based on your ability, you should purchase fins of an intermediate hardness, similar to your physical condition and propulsion technique.
Possible snags
In many coastal areas there is a danger of getting snagged on fishing gear, or remains of boat nets stuck on the bottom, as the risk does not only exist in shipwrecks, caves or grottoes.
Before any hook
In many coastal areas there is a danger of getting snagged on fishing gear, or remains of boat nets stuck on the bottom, as the risk does not only exist in shipwrecks, caves or grottoes.
Before any hook
