Mask Clearing, Why We Do It.

We've all experienced it, waters gotten in to our nose and it’s not a pleasant feeling so why would we want to intentionally flood our mask underwater. No matter the organization, no matter the training eventually you will be asked to break the seal around your mask and let the cavity flood. Soon you will even be expected to remove the mask completely and re-position it back on your face but to do so you need to understand how it works.

The reason this skill is taught is because eventually your mask will leak, fog up or flood and you need to be able to correct the problem without having to cancel the dive to surface. The notion can be rather daunting but after you get a fill for it, learning this skill won’t be as frightening.

If you spent those extra bucks and got a purge valve on your mask then good for you, you don’t have to do as much but if you settled just for something to see out of then pay attention. It’s simple to get water into your mask but it will take some effort and understanding to get it back out.

What makes the most sense to me is that when a canoe/kayak gets overturned it doesn't sink because it has a pocket of air trapped in the hull. The same concept applies when trying to purge your mask. Take your palm and press it firmly against the top of the mask while looking up. This maintains the seal at the top of the mask. Exhale through the nose to fill the cavity where the mask will rest, the air bubbles will drift upwards into the mask displacing the water. Once done exhaling re-position the mask back in place and open your eyes, it’s as simple as that.

Although we may not enjoy having our masks flood it is important to be able to clear it and continue the dive. By being able to do this simple skill it will make your dive that much more enjoyable. Instead of sucking it up and diving with a partially flooded mask why not just clear it?

Buying a BCD, Sherwood AVID

A BCD (buoyancy control/compensator device) is a necessity. There are a few big ticket items you absolutely need when scuba diving and they can vary from person to person but a BCD, tank, regulators, and gauges/computer are the main four that come to mind.

Just like any sport there are many products/services offered through numerous companies all dedicated to providing goods to you but which one do you choose? My decision was to purchase the bulk of my gear through Sherwood and AKONA in part because the dive shop I was most associated with was a retailer of these brands.

When I first decided to purchase my own personal diving equipment I had little idea of what I would need but one thing was certain I would be investing in a BCD. The Sherwood AVID was my first large investment towards my scuba diving hobby. One way to ease the issue of picking out that perfect fit for you is by talking with various dive shops and asking fellow divers of their opinions on gear. When I was researching and prospecting for gear I ended up hopping from one dive shop to the next, probably checking out half a dozen before I finally decided.

What I've noticed is that in the three years that I've owned a Sherwood AVID it has been reliable and a worthwhile purchase. In the fifty plus dives that I've used this BCD I never had a problem with the system and with regular annual maintenance I hope that that BCD will last me ten more years.

Review: Blue Stone Dive Resort

When you want to hone your skills in scuba diving but don’t want to be restricted to the confines of a pool then the Blue Stone Dive Resort is the place for you. Blue Stone is located in Thomasville North Carolina approximately forty-five minutes up Interstate 85 from Salisbury.

If you are short on funds or just rather do some inland diving then you should really consider stopping by. The resort has an entry charge of twenty dollars or so and then the only additional costs are for air/nitrox and any equipment rentals needed.

As opposed to other locations in North Carolina, Blue Stone offers many additional perks including clearer waters, a tram to assist with the moving of equipment as well as restrooms and many other luxuries that aren't offered at dive sites elsewhere.

Although the primary reason I prefer diving here is because you can actually see what else is in the water. When I was younger the majority of my training took place in Lake Hickory which is equivalent to diving in mud (5 ft visibility max-my experiences), I had my first night/cold water dive at 3 PM in the heat of summer. So I tend to favor diving in places where I can see can see aquatic organisms, that’s kind of why I became certified.

There are several access points to get to the water. One offers a shallow area with a roped off area that allows you to get accustomed to the gear and gradually work your way into the water. This side is especially nice during the spring when the Bluegills use the shallow waters to construct their nests, you can find them guarding over the gravel pits.

The other option is a platform that is roughly 10-15 ft deep and you can choose to do a feet first entry, however if you’re still hesitant you can opt to use the ladder or there is also stairs leading to shallower waters. I personally enjoy doing a giant stride and splashing down into the water.

Make sure you have good directions or a GPS when you go because like most quarries they won’t be in a thriving metropolis. Instead you’ll find Blue Stone several miles off the beaten path nestled back in the woods. When you first pull up you will know you are in the right place, with a rock guarding the gate with a dive flag painted on it. Dive flags line the driveway as you pull up to the quarry which resembles a large warehouse and has many miscellaneous submersibles (cars/boats/helicopters). 

In all the Blue Stone Dive Resort is an excellent site and one that I would highly recommend for new or seasoned divers.