Bleeding

[BradMM]

Sorry... no, I didn't do a search to see if this topic has been discussed (I'm sure it has) but my search for "free" on the board didn't prove very effective so I went back to Google to get here.

I'm in Bonaire until Saturday. I've been doing lots of free diving and yesterday I guess I pushed too hard. I started bleeding from my nose but I'm pretty sure it was the sinus I'd been having a hard time equalizing. I just took it easy and took my time to equalize as I went down but just curious if this is common. Yes, I was in a hurry to get down with my camera at first but, as I shifted gears, I had plenty of time to equalize, go down about 15'-20', take the shot and float to the surface.

I was extremely impressed with the two women on our catamaran... they obviously get lots more practice at free diving than be but they were very proficient!

Brad

 

[fdog]

It's not common but it happens. I hate sinus squeezes because they're hard to resolve, unlike ears that you can usually work through.

Good prevention is to take Mucinex - make sure it's the blue box, not the green or red box. I also get good results from a sinus rinse.

Other possible contributors: a large volume (scuba) mask, not clearing effectively on the way down.

Sorry about the squeeze!


All the best, James

 

[Straegen]

I would have a nurse practitioner or doctor glance up there just in case. It isn't uncommon that irritation causes nose bleeds but they can also be caused by infections or worse. A quick look will allow the doctor to make sure it is just an irritation and not something you would need a pill to fix.

 

[BradMM]

Today, we seem to have Red Tide! I wonder if that might have had something do with this unusual (for me) problem? Of course, if I just took it more slowly, no problem.

Thanks,

Brad

 

[archer fish]

blood vesels in the sinuses can rapture due to expanding gases that are blocked on ascent from a dive. pain in areas where sinuses are is a good warning. when there is bleeding, give your sinus time to heal and medication to prevent infection can help.