grouchyturtle
Contributor
My ears suck! Since my first time underwater they have always been a problem. On a good day, I'm able to clear them ok, but I still need to revert to holding my nose and blowing my brains out. I've never been able to get any of the other clearing methods to work for me. On a bad day...I actually had a buddy blow past me on the line on the USS Bass and flip me the finger, because he was sick of waiting for me. Most dive vacations wind up being one less day of diving than planned, because after a few days, my ears just need a rest. They get to the point where I just can't clear them anymore.
Yesterday I was snorkeling a local spot, right off the beach. I was diving down to about 20-25', which is the deepest I've ever done on a breath hold. But I couldn't stay down for long. The limiting fact wasn't not being able to hold my breath. It was not being able to clear my ears. I went back to the same spot today and dove it. Being able to go slow with a big supply of air on my back I was able to get down no problem.
So, as someone who still has ear problems even after diving for years, is there some advice or trick out there that I actually haven't heard yet? Or am I doomed to never be good at free diving?
Yesterday I was snorkeling a local spot, right off the beach. I was diving down to about 20-25', which is the deepest I've ever done on a breath hold. But I couldn't stay down for long. The limiting fact wasn't not being able to hold my breath. It was not being able to clear my ears. I went back to the same spot today and dove it. Being able to go slow with a big supply of air on my back I was able to get down no problem.
So, as someone who still has ear problems even after diving for years, is there some advice or trick out there that I actually haven't heard yet? Or am I doomed to never be good at free diving?