I've survived my 4 OW dives, and I am by no means a natural at this. But the fear is something to be overcome, and buoyancy control can be learned, but I'm worried about my ears. I made it to 40' without a burst eardrum so I must be clearing the ears eventually, but I was always the last one to depth, as I was bouncing up and down, clearing, feeling pressure, going up, clearing, going down, etc until I made it down. I was using pinch and blow only, and since then have read about different ear clearing techniques, as well as trying sudifed (in moderation) and even nasal irrigation (whatever works, I guess). Even checked with a doctor, who said I probably have narrow tubes, but nothing that puts me at risk for anything. So my question is, can ear clearing be learned, or is it always going to be a physical barrier to enjoying diving? And how bad is it going to be when I try for my AOW and have to dive to 100'?
Clearing the Ears - Learned Skill or Roadblock?
- Thread starter rhkaloge
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sambolino44
Contributor
Check out the video on this link. Doc's Diving Medicine Home PageIt's kind of long, but it's the best thing I've ever seen on equalizing.
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After a while it becomes second nature. Just do it more often, as soon as you feel any pressure, clear. Then do it again.
The more you dive the easier it gets. Just like frequent fliers that start with ear problem soon loose them. Getting to 100' won't be any worse than getting to 40 it will just take more time. Take your time and you'll soon equalize without even thinging about it. The more frequently you dive the sooner it will stop being a task.
Cajuncru Diver
Contributor
Check with your ENT and see about a Rx for steroids that will help to widen the E tube passageway.
At 90 dives, am still always the slowest to descend, my buddy & guide would just have to wait for me. Think most of my air is used for clearing my ears in the 1st 10m! But have grown to accept the limitations of my ear tubes. Found clearing on the surface & clearing very often will help. The pain is usually at the shallow depth until abt 15m, descending further is not a problem as long as the ears have been cleared at the shallows. At deeper depth, found it easier to clear & clearing becomes intuitive (can do with wiggling of jaws etc)...
Don't worry... Keep diving! Good luck!
Don't worry... Keep diving! Good luck!
Sas
Contributor
I have the same problem. The things I do are:
-start equalising on the surface. The first 10m are pretty critical cos of the big change in pressure. Keep doing it as often as you can in your descent. At any sign of pressure equalise again, well try to do it before you feel pressure as it is often too late then.
-if you have even the slightest pain, ascend until it is gone and then try again. You don't want to risk screwing up your ears as it can easily rule you out of diving. Don't worry if it takes ages to descend
-I found letting water into my hood helped a bit too and makes it easier to equalise.
-Take Sudafed. Well not sure that is the best idea, but I've taken some on the last few dives and it has been the first time I can descend easily and quickly. A lot of regular divers recommended it to me... I am sure a more experienced person will chime in if this is a bad thing to do.
-At 100ft it won't be as hard to equalise usually as the pressure doesn't change so rapidly so don't stress too much about your AOW. The hardest bit is in shallow waters.
Anyway good luck with it
-start equalising on the surface. The first 10m are pretty critical cos of the big change in pressure. Keep doing it as often as you can in your descent. At any sign of pressure equalise again, well try to do it before you feel pressure as it is often too late then.
-if you have even the slightest pain, ascend until it is gone and then try again. You don't want to risk screwing up your ears as it can easily rule you out of diving. Don't worry if it takes ages to descend
-I found letting water into my hood helped a bit too and makes it easier to equalise.
-Take Sudafed. Well not sure that is the best idea, but I've taken some on the last few dives and it has been the first time I can descend easily and quickly. A lot of regular divers recommended it to me... I am sure a more experienced person will chime in if this is a bad thing to do.
-At 100ft it won't be as hard to equalise usually as the pressure doesn't change so rapidly so don't stress too much about your AOW. The hardest bit is in shallow waters.
Anyway good luck with it
Bubbletrubble
Contributor
Yes, ear clearing can be learned. There are many different methods. A friend told me that his free-diving instruction manual had a couple of chapters on different ways to equalize.
The pinch-the-nose-and-gently-blow technique never worked for me. I will either swallow or move my lower jaw forward. Try out these other techniques. They may work better with your anatomy.
Let me add that if it hurts, then you are descending too fast. Descend slowly. Equalize often.
Have fun and be safe.
The pinch-the-nose-and-gently-blow technique never worked for me. I will either swallow or move my lower jaw forward. Try out these other techniques. They may work better with your anatomy.
Let me add that if it hurts, then you are descending too fast. Descend slowly. Equalize often.
Have fun and be safe.
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