Ana
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Well yeah... I wouldn't shove it up my nose either.Keep that stuff away from your eyes and "down there".
Oh no, wait.. are you the reason we get the super obvious warning labels?
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Well yeah... I wouldn't shove it up my nose either.Keep that stuff away from your eyes and "down there".
I would even go as far as to say that when applying it you should wear gloves because if this gets anywhere sensitive even if in minimal quantities you WILL know about it. Rub your eyes and you will be crying for a long timeKeep that stuff away from your eyes and "down there".
Equalizing does not mean "blowing". That is Valsalva, the WORST equalizing technique. The OP is equalizing with Toynbee (swallowing with nose close) which actually creates a DEPRESSION inside the nasal cavity, and is very good for resolving a reverse block. But perhaps he is even using the BTV method, which does not require to close the nostrils, and there is no pressure variation, just muscles opening the tubes...well i am sure you will correct me if my training goes against what your knowledge is, but i was always taught to never equalize (blow) while ascending. why would you ? as the gas expands it "should" escape on its own through the eustachian tube and is exhaled.
if a diver experiences a reverse block, blowing will only make it worse. other methods may help like stretching out the neck, swallowing, yawning etc.
my advise would have been to stop the ascent until it clears or to at least slow the ascent as much as possible. if necessary the diver may also descend slightly to alleviate the excess pressure.
to be clear....my definition of "equalize" usually means blowing (valsalva) as almost every diver i know requires this method to equalize.
Several earlier posts have provided links to complete information, without biases, on equalizing techniques.Equalizing does not mean "blowing". That is Valsalva, the WORST equalizing technique. The OP is equalizing with Toynbee (swallowing with nose close) which actually creates a DEPRESSION inside the nasal cavity, and is very good for resolving a reverse block. But perhaps he is even using the BTV method, which does not even requires to close the nostrils, and there is no pressure variation, just muscles opening the tubes...
Yes, @doctormike provided good references to reverse block and proper equalizing techniques.Several earlier posts have provided links to complete information, without biases, on equalizing techniques.
And post #21 had two links to DAn material.Yes, @doctormike provided good references to reverse block and proper equalizing techniques.
I agree with him that the OP has mostly a problem with the equalizing technique, which should fixed with proper training, before evaluating medical options, medicaments or surgery. However, a visit with an ENT doctor, possibly one with knowledge about diving, is always recommended... Also this has already been posted, indeed!
Sorry for my repetitions.
Equalizing does not mean "blowing". That is Valsalva, the WORST equalizing technique. The OP is equalizing with Toynbee (swallowing with nose close) which actually creates a DEPRESSION inside the nasal cavity, and is very good for resolving a reverse block. But perhaps he is even using the BTV method, which does not require to close the nostrils, and there is no pressure variation, just muscles opening the tubes...
I agree that most divers cannot use Toynbee or BTV (which indeed is the method I prefer to use). But teaching Valsalva is WRONG.
As an instructor, I was teaching Frenzel for free diving, and its open-mouth variation, called Marcante-Odaglia here in Italy, for scuba divers (this is substantially a Frenzel practiced with open mouth, so no "mouthfill").
My "agency" is FIPSAS, affiliated to CMAS.this has been discussed and clarified previously in the thread.
if you believe teaching valsalva is "wrong" you should take that up with your agency.
Valsalva is inefficient and dangerous