Bloody ear after diving?

[columbus jones]

My partner (more experienced) and I (less experienced) are on vacation and did a two tank dive yesterday. On the second dive, my partner had a very hard time equalizing his ears on the way down (~65', stayed for ~15 mins, then the rest was shallower, 25-30').

This morning, I noticed blood in one of his ears. Mostly dried, but some red too. None on his pillow after sleeping or anything. But a decent amount in the ear canal and a bit on the outside part.

He says he's had no pain, but does admit he may have rushed the descent and was "blowing" with his nose pinched closed harder than he ever has in his life.

We were supposed to do another two-tank tomorrow. Would I be correct in assuming it would be a good idea to cancel? Or if there's no pain would it be a wait and see situation? He's not planning to see a doctor or anything while we're away, but could anyone advise whether or would be good to see one after we fly home, even if the bleeding stops and there's no pain?

Sorry if these are dumb questions; in my mind, bleeding from ear = talk to a doctor, but I have been known to overreact to things in the past. Thanks in advance if anyone responds!

 

[Duke Dive Medicine]

My partner (more experienced) and I (less experienced) are on vacation and did a two tank dive yesterday. On the second dive, my partner had a very hard time equalizing his ears on the way down (~65', stayed for ~15 mins, then the rest was shallower, 25-30').

This morning, I noticed blood in one of his ears. Mostly dried, but some red too. None on his pillow after sleeping or anything. But a decent amount in the ear canal and a bit on the outside part.

He says he's had no pain, but does admit he may have rushed the descent and was "blowing" with his nose pinched closed harder than he ever has in his life.

We were supposed to do another two-tank tomorrow. Would I be correct in assuming it would be a good idea to cancel? Or if there's no pain would it be a wait and see situation? He's not planning to see a doctor or anything while we're away, but could anyone advise whether or would be good to see one after we fly home, even if the bleeding stops and there's no pain?

Sorry if these are dumb questions; in my mind, bleeding from ear = talk to a doctor, but I have been known to overreact to things in the past. Thanks in advance if anyone responds!

These are not dumb questions at all. Blood in the external ear canal in the setting of difficulty equalizing the ear is consistent with severe middle ear barotrauma and eardrum rupture. I would recommend he not dive for the remainder of the trip.

Also, please relay to him that a forceful Valsalva (pinch the nose and blow) could result in permanent inner ear damage. If he's having difficulty equalizing, the best thing to do is ascend a couple of feet, try again, and if the ear doesn't equalize with relative ease, abort the dive.

Best regards,
DDM

 

[Sascha314]

Personally I would suggest to cancel.
Talk to an ENT. Forceful equalization is no good, blood as well.

However that would lead to internal damage first. To have blood outside from that would mean more severe damage to the ear drum
That would be very painful usually.

 

[columbus jones]

These are not dumb questions at all. Blood in the external ear canal in the setting of difficulty equalizing the ear is consistent with severe middle ear barotrauma and eardrum rupture. I would recommend he not dive for the remainder of the trip.

Also, please relay to him that a forceful Valsalva (pinch the nose and blow) could result in permanent inner ear damage. If he's having difficulty equalizing, the best thing to do is ascend a couple of feet, try again, and if the ear doesn't equalize with relative ease, abort the dive.

Best regards,
DDM

Thank you!