Dive skill video: clear a fully flooded mask
- Purple Dive
- Aug 21
- 4 min read
Let's talk about one of the most fundamental yet frequently challenging skills to demonstrate during your Divemaster or Instructor evaluations: clearing a fully flooded mask. This seemingly simple skill can make or break your assessment, as evaluators pay close attention to your technique, control, and teaching presence while you perform it. Here's how to make your mask clearing demonstrations stand out for all the right reasons.
Why mask clearing matters
Mask clearing isn't just about removing water from your mask – it's about demonstrating confidence, control, and proper technique that you'll eventually pass on to your students. Course directors and staff instructors evaluate this skill rigorously because:
It's one of the skills that makes students most anxious
It requires precise technique that must be clearly visible
It tests your ability to maintain composure while temporarily "blind"
It reveals your buoyancy control under challenging conditions
A perfect mask clear demonstrates your readiness to guide new divers through their own anxiety with this essential safety skill.
Start by watching the video below, and then read on for tips!
Breaking down the perfect mask clearing demonstration
When demonstrating mask clearing during your PADI program, follow these specific steps:
Begin with the pre-skill signal: Make the proper hand signal for mask clearing
Establish neutral buoyancy: Take a moment to ensure you're perfectly positioned before beginning
Position your hand: Place one hand firmly on top of the mask frame to break the seal
Flood deliberately: Allow water to enter the mask completely while keeping your eyes open
Reposition your hand: Move your hand to the top edge of the mask frame (not the skirt)
Tilt your head slightly back: Just enough to position the bottom of the mask as the lowest point
Press firmly against your forehead: Create a good seal at the top of the mask
Exhale steadily through your nose: A controlled, continuous exhale (not a forceful blast)
Complete the clearing: Continue until all water is expelled
Signal completion: Give the "okay" signal once the mask is fully cleared
Throughout this demonstration, you need to move as little as possible and maintain your buoyancy.
Common demonstration mistakes evaluators notice
Watch out for these frequent errors that can cost you points during assessment:
Excessive movement: Thrashing or overcompensating with your body while clearing
Changing depth: Rising or sinking during the demonstration
Holding breath: Not maintaining a consistent breathing pattern throughout
Incomplete flooding: Not demonstrating a fully flooded mask as required
Harsh or inefficient exhales: Using too much air or clearing ineffectively
What makes a truly impressive mask clearing demonstration
Here's what separates a passing demonstration from one that impresses evaluators:
1. Unwavering calmness
Remain completely relaxed throughout the skill. Your body language, breathing rate, and movements should show zero signs of stress or urgency.
2. Perfect buoyancy maintenance
Your position in the water should not change by even a few centimeters during the entire demonstration.
3. Efficiency of air use
Clear the mask completely with a single, controlled exhale – not a forceful blast that wastes air.
4. Eye contact before and after
Maintain eye contact with your evaluator before beginning and immediately after completing the skill, showing teaching awareness.
5. Deliberate, textbook technique
Each movement should appear deliberate and precise, as if you're performing for an instructional video.
Practice techniques for mask clearing mastery
To perfect your mask clearing demonstrations:
Practice with eyes open: Always keep your eyes open during flooding and clearing if possible. This helps makes your students feel comfortable, and make the skill appear easy.
Slow-motion practice: Initially practice each component in slow motion to build muscle memory.
Mirror work: Practice the hand positions and head movements in front of a mirror.
Buoyancy refinement: Practice hovering perfectly still while doing other tasks before adding mask clearing.
Breathing control: Practice steady nasal exhales while breathing normally through your regulator.
Teaching awareness during demonstrations
Remember that during any professional-level PADI course, you're not just performing a skill – you're showing how you would teach it. Consider these teaching elements:
Pace: Demonstrate at an appropriate teaching pace, not at the speed you'd personally clear your mask
Visibility: Position yourself so your evaluator can clearly see your hand positions and technique
Exaggeration: Slightly exaggerate key movements that students would need to observe
Mastering all dive skills: general principles
The principles we've discussed for mask clearing apply to mastering all demonstration skills for your PADI professional courses:
Perfect before you practice: Ensure your basic diving skills (buoyancy, trim, breathing) are flawless before focusing on demonstration techniques
Break it down: Separate each skill into component parts and perfect them individually before putting them together
Practice with purpose: Don't just repeat skills mindlessly; focus on a specific aspect to improve each time
Teach to learn: Practice by teaching skills to dive buddies or friends, which reinforces proper technique
Remember that demonstration skills aren't just about passing an evaluation – they're about developing the ability to effectively teach these critical safety skills to your future students. Your confidence and competence will directly impact their learning experience.
Take the next step in your diving career with us
Ready to transform your passion for diving into a professional career? Our PADI Divemaster and Instructor Development Courses are designed to take your diving to the next level while preparing you for success in the diving industry.
Contact us today to learn more about upcoming course dates and how you can join our community of diving professionals. The underwater world is waiting for you to share it with others!
Happy bubbles, and we hope to see you on your professional journey soon! 🤿
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