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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/scuba-mask-clearing

How do you clear water from a scuba mask?

Exhale through your nose while holding the top of the mask.

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  1. Tilt head back and hum
  2. Inhale sharply through your mouth
  3. Press the top and exhale through your nose ✔

Why: Seal the top of the mask with your fingers, look up, and breathe out through your nose. The air pushes the water out. If water remains, exhale again.

Huh, didn't know that: You learn to clear a flooded mask in the PADI Open Water Diver course.

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Why did the diver's mask feel better after clearing? It finally got some breathing room.
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References

Answer: Press the top and exhale through your nose. Seal the top of the mask with your fingers, look up, and breathe out through your nose. The air pushes the water out. If water remains, exhale again.

  1. PADI Blog: How To Clear Your Mask blog.padi.com/how-to-clear-your-mask
    Create seal on top of mask (with index fingers). Step 3: Exhale from nose while looking up.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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