Head aches from diving

[lulubelle]

I have this problem, especially on deeper dives here in NC. I'm not sure why, but using nitrox helped greatly. But I still have a bit of a problem. I will try the suggestion above about a forceful exhale every few breaths. I also find that I need something sugar containing to drink after my deeper dives and I have no idea why that helps.

Also make sure you are not dehydrated when you dive.

 

[SkimFisher]

What are some things that I can do to try to take care of this while I am diving. Thanks for the reply's so far.

Do you find that you suck down a tank pretty fast? Breath deep and slow. In for 4, out for 5. Count it out and think about your breathing. Don't just breath. Do that and soon it will come automatically.

 

[SDiverJim]

I was getting headaches also. When I practiced counting as breathing the headaches would not occur. I have a lot more practice to do!!! I know with time it will become more natural. I seem to think too much about all the things I need to develop habits for and thus my breathing suffers.

 

[ScubaTerp]

I get pretty nasty headaches when I'm doing classes in the pool, but when I'm OW nothing seems to happen. Could it be the chlorine?

Also stay hydrated. That's always been a problem for me.

 

[Codiak]

It's been said several times already, work on breathing and exhale fully. I find I get headaches more so on dives where I'm tight on air at the end or knowly close going in...

Could be stress as well....

I carry a pony with 32% Nitrox on all dives recreational dives now which reduces my stress over air... and I make sure to breath deeply every time I check my Computer... it's habit now and I haven't had a headache in the last 50 or so dives.

 

[carrielsal]

How fast are you coming up the last 15'? It should take you at least 30 seconds. I have gotten headaches from ascending too fast the last 15'.

Carrie

 

[luckydays]

I am with Carrie on this one. I get headaches if I surface to fast. Now I have to take it nice and slow while ascending and no headaches. On the days that I err and surface to fast, i will have a headache before the next dive even begins.

Using Nitrox does not make a difference regarding the headaches.

 

[Splash-X]

It doesn't seem that tight, just a little snug...

Your mask should not fit "snug". A mask will have natural suction and the strap should be loose. The trap is there to keep your mask in place not to use to suction the mask to your face. I found a good short description about proper mask fit here: Proper Mask Fit for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

I get pretty nasty headaches when I'm doing classes in the pool, but when I'm OW nothing seems to happen. Could it be the chlorine?

Also stay hydrated. That's always been a problem for me.

Remember that the first 33ft of your dive your body experiences the most changes in scuba. At sea level you're going from 1 atm of pressure and doubling that at 33ft to 2 atm.

Often times shallow dives (think pool that is 10-15ft deep) you're going to be doing a lot of pressure changing due to the shallowness of the pool. In that first 33ft (and especially the first 20) the pressure changes are drastic. At this depth even a foot of depth change can cause headaches and node bleeds if your sinus cavities aren't clear and don't equalize quickly.

 

[bs63366]

Thanks for all the great responses. I will make sure to check on my breathing on my next dives. Also going to be reading up on all the links. Thanks for the great advice as usual and I will try to post up what helps me out.

 

[Den7]

In addition to headaches... I had a strong head ache right after I had taken a few breaths from my regulator. The tank was rented. The same feeling had my buddy after I had asked him to try. Good thing that I always try to breathe before entering the water. My guess is that the air wasn't good enough in spite of the fact that we rented our tanks from a reputable PADI dive shop and everything... I refused to dive with those tanks... Has that ever happened to anybody else? Would appreciate any comments / insights in this respect as I cannot seem to come up with anythihng else. Thanks.