When clearing water from a mask without a purge valve, which head position helps most to clear the water?

When clearing water from a mask without a purge valve, which head position helps most to clear the water?

• A. Forwards
• B. Backwards
• C. To the side
• D. Tilted up

Answer: (B)

Clearing water from a mask without a purge valve works by using a nose exhale to pressurize the inside of the mask and push water out through the edge. Tilting the head backward positions the top edge of the mask higher than the water, creating a clear exit path at the upper edge. As you softly exhale through the nose while looking up, that exhaled air raises the water to the mask’s top edge and forces it out. Other head positions don’t align the exit path as well, so the water is less likely to escape quickly.

Clearing water from a mask without a purge valve works by using a nose exhale to pressurize the inside of the mask and push water out through the edge. Tilting the head backward positions the top edge of the mask higher than the water, creating a clear exit path at the upper edge. As you softly exhale through the nose while looking up, that exhaled air raises the water to the mask’s top edge and forces it out. Other head positions don’t align the exit path as well, so the water is less likely to escape quickly.