Working as a dive instructor I have seen first time divers do many strange things.  However sitting around a campfire one night a fellow instructor shared his most recent story of the strange things coming from first time divers.

Mask Clearing.  As divers we all remember our first time clearing masks...and for most it's not the easiest thing to do.  The rush of the cold water suddenly on your face, your vision all of a sudden blurred, that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach as slight panic begins to well up...you know what I'm talking about.  Next to Mask Replacement it pretty much sucks, however it is one of the most important skills to master and eventually becomes second nature.

Well, this one particular student was taking a course with 3 others.  The instructor had fully explained the steps of partial mask clearing outside of the water in which case you only fill your mask half way...and then with the palm of your hand placed on the top of your mask you break the seal of the mask and exhale while looking up...simple.

Once in the confined water, the instructor then demonstrated the skill to the students.  Each one successfully performed the partial mask clearing...so far so good.  Now it was time to move on a step and do a full mask clearing.  The first student performed well, then the second, then the third...until the fourth...he had no trouble filling his mask yet he could only clear his mask halfway.  No matter what, he couldn't get rid of all the water in his mask and began to struggle.  The instructor motioned for everyone to stand since they were in confined and casually asked the student what he was finding difficult about the skill...to which he replied...

"I have no problem inhaling half a mask of water, but inhaling a full mask is just too much."