Posted by DaveJ on July 30, 2003 at 13:22:17:
In Reply to: Mask drills for open water students posted by Karl S. on July 29, 2003 at 14:45:46:
I agree that this is not a fun skill to teach or learn, but based on personal experience it is certainly more valuable than removing and replacing your weight belt underwater.
If students are afraid to remove/replace their mask then the instructor needs to spend more time with them. I would encourge the agencies to increase the tougher skills, but improve their techniques/approach.
I personally had to witness a person nearly drown from panic after losing her mask.
Dave