Nose Bleeding...

[maximdonch]

I have a question if anyone has experience with this or not.

When my wife dives, she gets an occasional nose bleed that becomes noticeable when she surfaces.

We always ascend very slowly and do a safety stop so it would be hard for me to imagine it has any relation to rate of ascent.

Does anyone have any insight as to why this happens....

Also a novice question...

What about Sharks? (Does this rule out diving the Proteus Banks, SA?)

 

[InkDiver]

When I first started diving I would get nosebleeds. It seems they were either a result of too forcefully clearing my mask, or equalization issues. Once I began to equalize early and often and to clear my mask gently I never had another nosebleed.

 

[amajamar]

My brother-in-law gets them on nearly every dive. He's been diving for several years...

 

[Papa_Bear]

Many people have Sinus problems, narrow Eustachian tubes, or a lot of capillaries in their nose area! These being subjected to pressure both ways loosens, dislodges, and breaks up many things in there including the Capillaries that carry blood! So you get Diver goo! Looks really good in the mask!

 

[fisherdvm]

Sinus barotrauma is likely high on the list. If she felt ear pain, ear fullness, or had problem equalizing her ears, that is also a consideration. Simple nosebleed from just inside the nares can also occur from excessive nasal pressure from pinching too hard.

I would definitely consider an ear nose and throat specialist evaluation to be sure.

 

[Papa_Bear]

I play Doctor all the time! :14: Take two Aspirin and visit this thread in the morning! But I wouldn't worry unless it becomes persistent or you fill the camera rinse tank with nose blood! :11: Our your mask! Ooh! shakehead:

 

[ianw2]

Is it a nosebleed or is it "snot" tinged with blood?

If the former, see the ENT post haste!

If the later, it's not uncommon. If it's persistent and worrysome, visit the ENT at your leisure.

 

[aoo]

I have only experienced nosebleeds from diving once before. After a dive my nose started bleeding and stopped after a while. For that weekend trip, every dive would end with a slight nosebleed that would eventually stop.

Went to an EENT doctor who told me that a reverse squeeze had caused a vacuum in my sinuses which sucked blood from the surrounding tissue. When my sinuses filled with blood they were equalized.

Was told not to dive for a couple of weeks as it took that long for the blood in my sinuses to drain. Was also give some Drixine to squeeze into my nose before every diving day.

It has never happend again.

Maybe its best to go see a doctor about it. Not a serious condition but doctor did recommend not to dive till it cleared up.

 

[Zoomer]

It happens to me as well, just a faint hint of blood in the fluid after ascent... I have seen an ENT and he tells me it's not uncommon at all and with more diving the capillaries will toughen over time. He also suggested trying some different clearing techniques and to clear more frequently and that may help.

 

[knotical]

From: Questions and Answers

yours is a frequently asked question (because it happens frequently) and the simple answer is that it is harmless, usually caused by mask squeeze, sinus barotrauma or excessive nose-squeezing with clearing attempts. If you are concerned, it might be wise to go to an ear, nose and throat doctor and be certain that you don't have something that can be corrected—such as septal deviation, chronic rhinitis, polyps or tumors.