Am I Stuck Forever at 40 Feet???

[tursiops]

@360GUY
Your ears don't care what your average depth was, they care about maximum depth.
Swallowing to equalize doesn't do Jack S*** for me, nor for most other folks, in my experience.
Here are two articles from DAN about equalizing. Many use Valsalva, but I much prefer Toynbee or Lowry.
Whatever you do, do it early and often during descent; you can't do it too often.
Beat the Squeeze: Equalize Like a Pro
Middle-Ear Equalization | Ears & Diving - DAN Health & Diving

 

[BoltSnap]

Put some 70% rubbing alcohol in your ears between dives to clear out the water. If it makes you drop to the ground, writhing in pain, you probably have a decent sized ear infection.

No, white vinegar is what should be used. Very little alcohol should be used with the vinegar if anything at all.

 

[BoltSnap]

50% rubbing alcohol - 50% clear vinegar.

50% is too much alcohol, 10% at the most if any.

 

[formernuke]

Discuss with ENT first.

Ok once cleared by medical professional.

On a day your going diving first thing when you get up equalize. Then do it about every 30 minutes after that. And of course as soon as you start desending equalize and equalize about every 2 feet as you go down. The greatest pressure change is from surface to 33 feet or 1atm.

 

[arew+4]

As everyone has already stated see a doctor well versed in diving medicine.

I am not one of them.

Sounds like you are not fully equalizing on the first dive, there should not be pressure on your ears if you are realized. Most people I know require the nose pinch an blow. Some can wiggle the jaw and swallow, my oldest son doesn't seem to need to do anything, lucky kid. The pinch and blow should never be a hard blow, just a gentle exhale, do it early and often on the way down. At depth the relative pressure changes are lower and more gradual, so just breathing is often enough to keep the pressure even.
If you are waiting for pain prior to pinch and blow it's too late.

 

[grf88]

Start equalizing as soon as you wake up and continue till u splash...but do see an ENT as well.

Great advice.

 

[Searcaigh]

I will also add that cleaning your sinuses with saline in the evenings and mornings before diving helps a lot too.

Personally I use this Rhinomer nasal spray | Gebro

Plus I also spray some Otrivine up each nostril about 5 mins before the dive.

 

[360GUY]

Well, I actually have been WAITING until I feel pressure or pain, then I equalize. Sounds like we may have come up with my real problem. OK...So, in addition to all those other great ideas, I need to be equalizing every couple feet REGARDLESS of whether there's pressure or pain...OK...Thanks to all who recognized this shortcoming!

 

[Marie13]

Well, I actually have been WAITING until I feel pressure or pain, then I equalize. Sounds like we may have come up with my real problem. OK...So, in addition to all those other great ideas, I need to be equalizing every couple feet REGARDLESS of whether there's pressure or pain...OK...Thanks to all who recognized this shortcoming!

Yep, that is a BIG problem. And if you wear a hood, pull the hood away from the side of your head on both sides to get water in your hood. Otherwise, it can be even more difficult to equalize as the hood can create a vacuum on the outside of your ear. I do this even in cold water. Have to.

 

[Snoweman]

No, white vinegar is what should be used. Very little alcohol should be used with the vinegar if anything at all.

I use it all the time without a problem. Now..., my dive buddy that had an ear infection..., well, that was a different story.