Mask squeeze, also known as face squeeze is a feeling that occurs when scuba diving as a result of failing to equalize the pressure inside the diving mask. … The air in the mask has more pressure put on it, and therefore
becomes painful against the face unless the pressure is allowed to equalize
.
How do I get rid of mask squeeze?
All you have to do is gently exhale or blow your nose occasionally as you descend. This will equalize the airspace in the mask to the pressure outside of the mask. The most common way of preventing mask squeeze is
when you equalize your ears and sinuses by using the Valsalva maneuver
.
Does mask squeeze go away?
With routine healing, and depending on the extent of the injury, the symptoms of mask squeeze can
take up to two weeks or more to resolve
.
Can you dive with mask squeeze?
You should also
avoid diving for a few days
. Because mask squeeze is in effect, a bruising around your eyes, the body will break down and reabsorb the blood over time.
How does mask squeeze happen?
Mask squeeze is a common injury among divers and occurs
when a diver fails to equalize the air space in their mask during descent
, resulting in damage to the blood vessels and soft tissues of the eyes and face.
How long does it take for mask squeeze to go away?
With routine healing, and depending on the extent of the injury, the symptoms of mask squeeze can take
up to two weeks or more
to resolve. You will probably look worse than you’d like before it gets better.
How tight should a dive mask be?
You should get an
airtight fit with very light strap pressure
. The strap should sit high on the back of your head, not resting on your ears. If it rests on your ears it will get painful. If you have to pull the straps tight to get a fit, or if you have big red marks when it comes off, you have it too tight.
How do you get rid of ear squeeze?
- Chewing gum, sucking on a lozenge, swallowing, or yawning. Using the mouth helps to open up the eustachian tube.
- Taking an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestant, antihistamine, or both. …
- Stopping a diving descent at the first sign of ear discomfort to allow time for equalizing.
What is a reverse block in scuba diving?
If you feel pressure in your ear or sinuses while ascending from your dive, you are experiencing a reverse block. A reverse block is
caused by mucus preventing air bubbles in your middle ear, tissues or sinuses from escaping our body
. DOs and DON’Ts in case of reverse block.
How do you equalize a mask?
To equalize the mask,
simply exhale a small amount of air from your nose into it
. A common problem is that freedivers either forget to equalize their mask, or they exhale too much air and the excess escapes out of the mask.
What is tooth squeeze?
It’s called tooth squeeze, also known as
barodontalgia
. This dental issue occurs when the air pockets in your teeth expand or contract due to the high or low air pressure. It’s common for scuba divers, pilots, mountain climbers, and submariners.
What are the symptoms of the bends?
Symptoms can include
fatigue and pain in muscles and joints
. In the more severe type, symptoms may be similar to those of stroke or can include numbness, tingling, arm or leg weakness, unsteadiness, vertigo (spinning), difficulty breathing, and chest pain.
Can diving cause eye problems?
Diving exposes
the eyes to increased pressure
. While most of the time this has little or no negative effects on the diver, increased eye pressure in scuba diving can result in ocular decompression sickness
What is a lung barotrauma?
Barotrauma is
tissue injury caused by a pressure-related change in body compartment gas volume
. Factors increasing risk of pulmonary barotrauma include certain behaviors (eg, rapid ascent, breath-holding, breathing compressed air) and lung disorders (eg, COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]).
