Equalizing while ascending

[idocsteve]

Just looking for someone who can speak with some authority, whether it be thru consensus or one person with knowledge, "instructor" seems like a logical choice for the "final word" on the subject. As for not giving advice to newbies and sarcastic spewing...your agenda, and your choice, do what you like.

You know what you're looking for, I'll give you that much.

The problem is, you don't know where to find it or whether or not you've actually found it.

As for your implied insult to the helpful members of ScubaBoard who have offered you advise that you dismiss in favor of one who you can trust because they have the word "instructor" under their name, well that's your choice as well.

Note to self- Don't give advice to newbies such JMaBC who figure my advice isn't worth taking unless I can go find an instructor to back me up.

You know what...maybe I better go find an instructor to check THIS post before I hit "Post Reply".

BRB

 

[vladimir]

Just looking for someone who can speak with some authority, whether it be thru consensus or one person with knowledge, "instructor" seems like a logical choice for the "final word" on the subject. As for not giving advice to newbies and sarcastic spewing...your agenda, and your choice, do what you like.

Nothing wrong with seeking the word of an instructor, here or in real life. Half the battle here is knowing who to listen to and who to dismiss. The nice thing about seeking out opinions here is that if somebody gives you an erroneous one, it will generally be corrected by somebody who knows better. (We live for the opportunity to pounce on each others' mistakes.) Edmond Kay, MD, is a Board Certified Diving Physician, Diving Medical officer for the University of Washington, Medical Director for the Divers Institute of Technology and the Director of Hyperbaric Medicine for Healthforce Partners. He is the speaker in the video I linked to above and he can speak on this subject with more authority than just about any instructor, I would think.

 

[idocsteve]

Nothing wrong with seeking the word of an instructor, here or in real life. The nice thing about seeking out opinions here is that if somebody gives you an erroneous one, it will generally be corrected by somebody who knows better. (We live for the opportunity to pounce on each others' mistakes.) Edmond Kay, MD, is a Board Certified Diving Physician, Diving Medical officer for the University of Washington, Medical Director for the Divers Institute of Technology and the Director of Hyperbaric Medicine for Healthforce Partners. He is the speaker in the video I linked to above and he can speak on this subject with more authority than just about any instructor, I would think.

You know, this post makes a lot of sense, it's helpful and informative and should be taken at face value..wait...nevermind...vladimir's not an instructor.

Please forgive the intrusion

 

[JMaBC]

idocsteve, just looking for a little info, definitely not looking to offend anyone, tho for some reason your ego's bruised, apologies this got so personal for you.

Got a spectrum of responses in the thread so trying to nail down the right one, whether it be from an "instructor" or some well respected posters/divers or thru general consensus. New to diving and the forum, so just looking for best answer possible, whatever the source, thx to those looking to help.

 

[JMaBC]

To vladimir, thx and will definitely be checking out the video.

 

[idocsteve]

idocsteve, just looking for a little info, definitely not looking to offend anyone, tho for some reason your ego's bruised, apologies this got so personal for you.

It's not your fault JMaBC, my ego was already damaged on another thread where someone called me a troll. It's just that I'm feeling rather vulnerable right about now and your timing was bad.

Happy diving


uppy:

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Appreciate the responses here, and this is what i gather from them:

1) don't use Valsalva on ascent EVER
2) on ascent, if pressure is felt in the ears, try descending a bit to relieve the pressure and go up slower
3) on ascent, if going back down and going up slower fails, than use reverse Valsalva (ie-pinch nose and "blow" in, so to speak)

If a instructor would be willing to confirm this it would be much appreciated.

Thx again all!

This is correct, I did FAIL to mention that sucking in a reverse valsalva also seems to work sometimes (but not ususally for me). If that doesn't work, trying to gently open the tubes back up by blowing in (valsalva) and then sucking out reverse valsalva might help.

Stopping the ascent, going down a few feet, doing the jaw wiggle (side to side) and pushing your tongue to the bottom of the mouth are very simple, will often work and are completely hands free. After that maybe a negative valsalva, then maybe a positive/negative valslava attempt and then removal of mask and blowing nose can be tried.

On a few occasions out of thousands of ascents, nothing seemed to work for me and I just had to go up and figured this might be the time I blow an ear drum out. So far, the air has always squeeked out with the only symptom of soreness and tenderness of eardrum.

 

[lavachickie]

I was surprised at how easy equalization occurred for me when diving "in the real world" after certification. (Dives varied from 20 to almost 90 feet during a week in Cozumel.) I only had a time or two when I felt any pressure, and I'd just come up a bit and go back down and the issue was gone. I am an allergy sufferer, and continued to take my OTC allergy meds, and doubled up on Sudafed half an hour before a dive. Probably overkill, but it worked.

Upon ascending, I don't feel much until after the safety stop. That last 15 feet has my ears popping all the way, in quick succession! It's not painful... but annoying.

Afterwards I always have a feeling of fullness in one or both ears. I used the swimmer's ear stuff, and found that it's just irritation; if I take something like a nasal spray to reduce the swelling and irritation it goes away promptly, but comes back once that wears off. After a day or so out of the water it slowly disappears.

I'm going to see an ENT (again), but doesn't seem to be anything to be done about it.

Anyone else have similar problems?

 

[Interceptor121]

What you have written here is pretty much the advice of some major training agencies and corresponds to what I say to my ow students

Appreciate the responses here, and this is what i gather from them:

1) don't use Valsalva on ascent EVER
2) on ascent, if pressure is felt in the ears, try descending a bit to relieve the pressure and go up slower
3) on ascent, if going back down and going up slower fails, than use reverse Valsalva (ie-pinch nose and "blow" in, so to speak)

If a instructor would be willing to confirm this it would be much appreciated.

Thx again all!

 

[Interceptor121]

It's not in my outer ear (externa), but in the middle ear (media).

I'm just frustrated right now because I feel like I am writing clearly, but obviously I'm not. It's not one of those self-realizations one really wants to have. Rats.

Thanks for everyone's input anyway; I appreciate your trying!

B.

Sorry but you edited your post after I posted my reply

You are correct that middle ear issues are caused by pressure injures

Infections (of course assuming you don't have any lesions) usually occur in the outer ear such as swimming ear.

As it looked like your symptoms came some time after it could have been the case of a swimming ear which builds up in time as bacteria grow

Usually middle ear symptoms caused by squeeze give kinda instant feedback!