Am I Stuck Forever at 40 Feet???

[formernuke]

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!

Yup if your waiting that long its WAY TO LATE.

 

[ChuckP]

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!

We stress it so much in teaching but some just wait too long - even equalize on the surface before you start going down then non stop the first 30-45 feet - it makes a world of difference. If you feel pressure, stop, if you feel pain, you've gone way to far - slightest pressure is too much or can be - equalize before.

 

[BoltSnap]

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

You need to check with DAN and other dive medicine ENT specialists and you will find that any or a lot of alcohol in ears is too much and will cause problems.

 

[Snoweman]

You need to check with DAN and other dive medicine ENT specialists and you will find that any or a lot of alcohol in ears is too much and will cause problems.

Swimmer’s Ear (Otitis Externa) | Ears & Diving - DAN Health & Diving

Ear Equalization Guidelines for Scuba Divers

Both DAN articles advocate using equal parts rubbing alcohol and vinegar if you don't have a punctured eardrum.

 

[Belzelbub]

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!

Hopefully this is it. Waiting until you feel pressure is way too late. You might want to start equalizing a bit here and there a day or two before diving. Though you should use use other methods besides swallowing, since there isn’t a real pressure change. This should help to stretch the Eustachian tube a bit so it’s easier to equalize during the dive.

 

[ofg-1]

Something that works for me if I have problems, ascend until there is no pain (just a little pressure) put your mask on your forehead, blow your nose. Try to get the snot out. See if that clears it.

 

[Subcooled]

I'm really depressed right now. Perhaps I'm worrying for nothing.

Probably.

DAY 1 / DIVE 1.....No ear issues. Equalization no problem. Avergae depth 55 feet
DAY 1 / DIVE 2....Some difficulty equalizing. Some pressure. Some discomfort. I perform up and down method to get equalization balanced. Eventually, all is good. Dive completed. Average depth 50 feet.
POST DIVE.....Terrible congestion, clogging, and headaches for 24 hours

The first dive was good. Great!

The more you dive the worse it gets. Air travelling back and forth in the eustachian tubes irritates them and causes swelling and blocking of air flow and then some pain. This could be caused by your less than perfect buoyancy control and too swift (and frequent!) changes in depth and also by less than optimal equalization. All of this improves with experience. Please do 30 more dives to discover that the problem migh be gone.

I am not a medical doctor, but I do know from experience that swift changes in pressure back and forth WILL cause pain, so that is normal (and unwanted). The more you bounce, the more it will hurt.

Once you hit 55 feet, it is much easier to go deeper. Shallow depths are hardest as the relative pressure change is greatest near the surface.

Do you need to do three to four dives per day for five consecutive days once a year (20 dives a year)?
Or could you do one dive per week instead (54 dives a year)?
Unless you must do binge diving, there are other options!
Liveaboards are not the only way of diving!

AM I DOOMED TO LIVE MY DIVING LIFE AT 35 FEET???

No, you are not.

Time will tell how frequently you can dive to great depth, but the odds are in your favor.

Consulting a medical doctor specializing in hyperbaric (=diving) medicine is always a good option if this problem persists, but let's face it: Your first dive was good. Successive dives were worse. This very much looks like a skills problem and not a medical problem. If it were you head that was broken then the first dive already would have been a problem. But you only describe REPETITION to be the problem. That's a clue.

 

[Raphus]

I think if you equalize early the problem might be solved.

You equalized to late on the first dive. And on the second dive your ears were too stressed.

Equalize early and often. Especially the first 30ft/10m, because the pressure change is high.

If this doesnt work, check out ENT and tell us your experience again.

Of course dont go deeper if you feel pressure. If you cant Equalize, or feel pain, ascent and try ro Equalize now. Dont force it!

I am pretty sure you can do it, because u are able to do it on the first dive and on shallow deph during the second.
If you could not equalize, then going deeper then 3m/10 ft would hurt so much, that u cant habdle the pain. Or you eardrum would rupture.
Because thats not the case, i think you will be fine if you do it often and early.

But i am ofc not a doctor, so check out ENT.just to be safe

 

[Streydog]

Not a doctor but I have had my share of ear issues. I would not be surprised if the clogged ears you have are due to trauma from not equalizing well. I still get issues from time to time. These are usually on the second or 3rd dive of the day, and between 15 and 30'. I have learned to be patient, ascend a little when I am having trouble, hang at that level for a little bit and slowly try again.

 

[wedivebc]

"PFO" "TTE" WTF???? LOL...Sorry...I don't know what those mean?

Wait a sec. Going back to a previous message. Are we supposed to equalize while ASCENDING? Yikes! I never have as I don't believe I've ever experienced pressure, pain or discomfort while ascending...

Great advice about making sure ENT is familiar with "diving" environments...I'll definitely make sure that box is checked!

Sorry I don't always look at what forum I am replying in. Thanks @rhwestfall