I just got back from the FAMU pool with another successful pool class getting students ready for our open water next weekend. As an instructor I try to find ways to teach individuals certain do’s and don’ts so they will remember so they won’t get hurt or lose any of their equipment.

One of the do’s that I go over very often is “when the regulator is in your mouth, always breathe.”

I ask them that rule at least 50 or more times during the class session and at least that many times in the pool. That is one rule that if you violate it under water and hold your breath coming to the surface can get you killed.

Another do is “make sure that your air is fully turned on before you get in the water.” I know that sounds like a no-brainer but you might be surprised to hear how many seasoned divers have forgotten to check their air supply before they step overboard and then it can become a panic situation.

One of my biggest don’ts is “never place your mask on your forehead above your eyes.” There are a lot of instructors that don’t teach that so I’m in the minority that do. There are two main reasons that you don’t have your mask on your forehead. The first one is, if you are on the surface and you put your mask on your forehead and the dive master sees it he will think you are in distress and swim as fast as they can to reach you. You see that is a sign of panic because panicked divers will generally do that when they reach the surface.

The other issue is you have a greater risk of losing your mask when a wave hits you and if you can’t get it back your dive is over for that day or until you can buy another one.

So this brings me to “how do I teach people not to place their mask on their foreheads”? Great question.

So the way I reinforce the idea to place your mask around your neck, on your arm up to your elbow, or just keep it over your eyes, I tell them that in the pool class that if I see it on your forehead I will give you one warning, then if they do it again they have to bring me a 12 pack of Coke Zero for every time I catch them. It really works.

So every class I have taught in the last 8-10 years I have never been without a 12 pack of Coke Zero or before that it was Diet Coke. Then I had this class this weekend and I had three of them with a warning but ended up with no Coke Zero for the first time. I’m proud that they got the message but a little disappointed that I’m going to have to buy Coke Zero on my own or until the next class in October.

Next week I will elaborate on what happens if you do that in the open water portion of your certification.

Until then keep the bubbles flowing.