Mask Squeeze: What It Is and How to Avoid It While Diving

Mask squeeze or Facial barotrauma. Sounds like some fancy diving term, right? Complicated. Weird. Something only instructors with a thousand dives under their belt truly understand.

But nope. Here, you’ll get it all. It’s your face getting squashed by your diving mask.

No long words. No twisted language. No sentences that sound like they came straight out of a university textbook. Why? Because, you know what? We want you to have fun diving, and you won’t if we bore you while explaining mask squeeze.

Princeton professor Danny Oppenheimer already said it loud and clear: the fancier you talk, the less smart you seem. And also, the less believable.

So, let’s cut to the chase. You want to know what mask squeeze is. How to recognize it. What to do if you get cheek squeeze, facial squeeze, or even eye discomfort, the dreaded ocular squeeze. You want to prevent it. You want to dive without fear. Period.

In this article, I’ll tell you exactly what happens under the water with your mask. Why facial barotrauma from a diving mask is more common than you think. And how to avoid bruises, pressure problems, or even annoying symptoms like sinus squeeze.

Yes, we’ll talk about those little injuries that can be prevented. And you’ll get it all clearly, without a single word more than needed.

You’ll understand it. A kid would understand it. Even someone who has never put on a diving mask in their life would get it.

Done. No detours. Let’s dive in!

1. What Is Mask Squeeze?

Mask squeeze is simple: it’s when the water pressure pushes your mask against your face. That’s it.

You descend on your dive. You don’t equalize properly. The water starts pressing. Your dive face mask turns into a suction cup stuck to your skin. And then comes the part nobody wants: the infamous face squeeze.

Sometimes it’s just a little red mark on your face. But other times… bruises show up. A cheek squeeze that hurts and lingers for a couple of days. Or worse: eye squeeze, with red eyes like you just walked out of a fight.

And I’m not talking about looks alone. It can also affect your sinuses. That headache you can’t explain after diving? That’s a warning. Some call it sinus squeeze symptoms, and yes, it’s all part of the same problem.

All of this happens because the air inside your mask doesn’t equalize with the water pressure. As a result, your mask literally “sucks” your face. Literal. If you’ve experienced mask squeeze diving or mask squeeze scuba diving, you know exactly the feeling. And believe me, it’s not pleasant.

The good news? You can avoid it.

2. Causes of Mask Squeeze

Mask squeeze doesn’t happen because you’re unlucky. The ocean isn’t out to get you. It has very clear causes, and almost always, they depend on you.

First: not equalizing internal pressure.

You descend into the water, focused on a thousand things: your breathing, your fins, the incredible reef in front of you… and you forget one key detail: blowing a little air through your nose into your mask. Without that, the pressure drops fast, and boom, the first face squeeze, the first cheek squeeze, the first red-eye moment that you’re going to have to explain to everyone what happened.

Second: poor equalization technique.

It doesn’t matter if you have top-of-the-line gear. If you don’t know how to equalize properly, the problem will come back. It’s like shooting a bow without knowing how to draw the string, you’re going to miss. And here, every mistake brings you closer to scuba diving mask squeeze.

Third: a low-quality or poorly fitting mask.

Sounds obvious, but so many divers still use whatever’s at hand. A mask that doesn’t seal, a worn-out strap, or a diving mask that never fit your face right. Result? Every meter of depth feels like a bite into your skin, the dreaded mask squeeze diving.

Fourth: beginner mistakes.

Descending too fast, not practicing the technique, not getting informed beforehand. That multiplies the risk of mask squeeze while diving, and can even lead to other problems like reverse squeeze or the dreaded sinus squeeze symptoms.

The truth is, having every dive leave mark on your face from mask squeeze is totally avoidable. The trick? Proper techniques and good equipment.

3. Symptoms and Consequences of Mask Squeeze

Mask squeeze always leaves its mark. Some signs are mild. Others can ruin your entire dive. So, let’s keep it clear and simple:

Red eyes. The classic eye squeeze. You come out of the water and someone asks, “Have you been crying?” Nope. It was just your mask squeezing like a suction cup.

Bruises on the face. This is what we call face squeeze or cheek squeeze. Purple marks on your cheeks, reddish outlines around your eyes… And no, it’s not war paint. It’s the trademark of scuba diving mask squeeze.

Discomfort in your nose and sinuses. This is what’s often called sinus squeeze symptoms. Headache. Pressure in your face. That strange feeling that tells you something’s off.

And here’s the thing, you shouldn’t confuse it all. Mask squeeze diving happens on your face, from the pressure under your dive mask.

But when it comes to the sinuses, that’s different territory: sinus squeeze. It happens inside your sinus cavities when pressure rises or drops too quickly and your body can’t equalize it. If you don’t compensate properly, you’ll feel pain in your forehead, headaches, and maybe even congestion or nosebleeds. It’s not dangerous if mild, but it’s definitely annoying and uncomfortable.

We’ve got a video where we show you how to equalize, and if you’re not a fan of videos, check out our in-depth article How To Equalize Ear Pressure? 10 Tips to Do It Like a Pro, it’ll help you out.

And there’s still another variant: reverse squeeze. This one kicks in when you’re ascending, you take off your mask, and the trapped air tries to escape any way it can.

Bottom line: a mask squeeze scuba diving is no joke. From a simple face squeeze to a serious sinus problem, all triggered by not equalizing the pressure inside your mask.

4. How to Prevent Mask Squeeze

Mask squeeze doesn’t just show up out of nowhere. It happens because you let it happen. And yes, it can be prevented. Easily.

First: equalize the pressure. Always. You descend a couple of meters, blow a bit of air through your nose into the mask. Repeat. And do it again every time you go a little deeper. It takes no effort. That simple move saves you from pain, face squeeze, cheek squeeze, and eye squeeze.

Second: practice. Beginners often forget. They’re too focused on the regulator, the BCD, the nerves. But the right equalization technique is the difference between enjoying your dive or coming out with marks all over your face.

Third: the gear. No mysteries here. A mask that doesn’t fit is a direct ticket to mask squeeze diving. I’ve seen it a thousand times: every meter they go down, the mask turns into a suction cup. That’s when bruises show up, the dreaded scuba diving mask squeeze, even sinus discomfort that you’ll feel once you’re back on land, the classic sinus squeeze symptoms.

And you know what? Sinus squeeze can be prevented the exact same way: by equalizing properly and choosing good equipment. A quality scuba mask that seals perfectly. A diving mask with clear lenses and a silicone skirt that adapts to your face. An adjustable face scuba mask that won’t betray your mid-dive.

Fourth: don’t descend like you’re trying to break a depth record. Going slow helps your body adjust. Your nose adapts. You equalize pressure. And mask squeeze scuba diving stays out of the picture.

In other words: you don’t need to be an expert to avoid it. You just need awareness. A bit of technique. And trust in your gear. With the right mask for diving, scuba mask squeeze becomes something that happens to others, not to you.

5. What to Do If It Happens to You

Alright. It happened. You’ve got a full-on mask squeeze. Don’t panic.

First: stop the dive if the pain is strong. Don’t play the hero. What starts as a simple cheek squeeze or face squeeze can turn into a serious problem if you keep descending.

Second: basic first aid. Rest. Apply cold compresses to the affected area. Don’t rub, and don’t touch your eyes if it was an eye squeeze. And of course, don’t jump back into the water right away.

Third: when to see a doctor. If the discomfort doesn’t go away. If sinus squeeze symptoms are intense. If you have blurry vision, obvious internal bleeding, or persistent facial pain. In short: when in doubt, see a specialist. Better an extra check-up than a real scare.

Remember: mask squeeze scuba diving is not a badge of honor. If you suffer from it, it’s a clear sign something went wrong, either with your technique or your gear. And the solution is as simple as not repeating the same mistake.

6. Frequently Asked Questions About Mask Squeeze

How can I avoid mask squeeze?
Super easy. Exhale through your nose while descending. That equalizes the pressure inside your diving mask and prevents the dreaded mask squeeze diving. Do it gently, consistently. And that’s it.

What should I do if I feel mask squeeze?
Blow some air out through your nose. That adds air into the mask and stops the face squeeze. If it hurts a lot, ascend a little and try again. Prevention is always the key.

Is mask squeeze dangerous?
Not usually. Yes, it can hurt and leave you with red eyes from eye squeeze or a marked face squeeze. But it doesn’t put your life at risk. These are small barotraumas that usually disappear on their own in a few days.

Can I dive if I have a subconjunctival hemorrhage from mask squeeze?
Normally, yes. The red eye looks scary, but it doesn’t affect your vision or your ability to dive. Just make sure it really was a scuba mask squeeze and nothing else. If you’re unsure, see a doctor.

Why don’t experienced divers suffer from mask squeeze?
Because it’s instinct for them. They equalize their mask the same way they equalize their ears. It becomes automatic. With practice, you’ll do it too, and mask squeeze scuba diving will be a thing of the past.

Does the type of mask affect mask squeeze?
It’s not really the mask; it’s the lack of equalization. That said, a poorly fitting face mask scuba can definitely make it worse. Choose one that seals properly to your face, and don’t forget to exhale.

What’s the exact physical cause of mask squeeze according to Boyle’s Law?
Here comes the technical bit. As you descend, pressure increases and the air inside the mask decreases. P1V1 = P2V2. That’s it. If you don’t add air through your nose, a vacuum is created that pulls on your face. This causes cheek squeeze, face squeeze, swelling, or even bleeding.

Quick explanation of Boyle’s Law applied to mask squeeze:

• You descend. Pressure goes up.
• The air in your scuba face mask shrinks in volume.
• If you don’t equalize, a vacuum is created.
• That vacuum literally sucks your face.

Result: mask squeeze underwater, marks, and pain.

Mask squeeze isn’t a mystery anymore. You know what it is, why it happens, how to spot it, and most importantly, how to avoid it. Equalize early, equalize often. Pick a mask that actually fits your face. And never rush your descent like you’re racing a submarine.

Now, your turn: next dive, blow a little air through your nose, smile at the reef, and forget mask squeeze ever existed.