Clearing your ears.

[michigan chris]

Ok Here goes. I was just certified in February. I had some problems getting my ears to equalize, my instructor said I will get better with more dives. I have some pretty active sinuses. I know they say don’t take meds because they can stop working in the middle of a dive. My question is does anybody have anything they do to help clear their ears. My wife says I should use a Netty Pot.

 

[ClayJar]

Well, to start with, have you watched the video yet? If not, take an hour to watch it ("The Diver's Ear: Under Pressure"). Then let the thread commence. :biggrin:

 

[Air On]

You should have been given a free subscription to the Dive Training magazine as a student by the shop? They have an article recently on equalizing that should be a good read for you.

Talk to DAN, the diving insurance and medical research group!

I was also told by a dive instructor that some medecations have been research and are OK.
He has active sinus issues, so he takes a dose of a childrens cold product and it keeps him clear for diving. He's certified with all the NAUI medical/rescue, he's an EMT... so I trust him on this.

The ugly side of the coin... Some people just have medical conditions that mean they cant dive.
I've heard of some people who can't do mask clearing. Some were because the water would run into their tear ducts and start filling thier mouth and sinus cavity. Others had some deal with thier nose and pallet that would just let water in... Too much mucus might just prevent safe diving with a standard mask.

You do have the dive helm option you could explore?
No equalizing to deal with then. Some of the modern helms are pretty light and look easy to use without doing the bottom walking deal.

I also saw someplace a mask with ear pockets and connecting tubes on the head strap?
The pressure on the ears was same inside and out then so no squease or equalizing needed.
Might have issues doing flood and clear? Not sure, just know I've seen it.

 

[TSandM]

I would work on technique before I reached for the meds. Most new divers haven't really had much instruction in equalizing -- how to do it, and when, and how often. Couple that with the buoyancy control issues that are usual for new divers, and you have a recipe for ear symptoms.

Watch the video, do a couple more dives, and if you're still having significant trouble equalizing, we can talk about other options.

 

[Lursxt]

Good advice. I agree that the PADI OW course I took in '06 did not spend much time on ear equaliziation, and illustrated only one technique I think. I ended up getting some mild barotrauma on my first OW dives. I'll give credit to my instructor though, when I told him about my ears a week later, he filed a report with PADI and then spent time with me on ear clearing. The method I use is to block the nose, put some pressure (but not as much) in the same way as instructed in training, and then swallow. I also find it easier to clear when looking up at the surface and turing which ever ear is not clearing towards the surface. I have found that my ears are easier to clear now, then when I first started. I sometimes take an affrin nasal inhaler if I feel a little congested, but the benefit can wear off after repeated use. Do a search on ear clearing. You'll find a lot of info. Hang in there!

 

[off the grid]

When I first started diving I did not have any problems with clearing. But over the last couple years my sinuses have started acting up (another benefit of aging) due to seasonal changes and even what I eat or drink. I started being fairly congested on a regular basis and had problems clearing because of that. I also had problems equalized evenly during ascents which caused vertigo a couple of times (definitely no fun). I started using a sinus rinse and it has kept my sinuses much clearer making equalization a lot easier. I haven't had any problems since I've been doing this. If you have sinus congestion alot, you may want to give it a try along with the advice already discussed.

 

[waynel]

Relax. Yes, the more you dive the better you will equalize. I remember actually getting slight nose bleeds after dives. Happens to a lot of new divers. I also agree to work on technique before going straight to meds. You must remember, your body has never been under that amount of pressure before. It usually adapts.

 

[highdesert]

Mt wife has regular, chronic sinus issues. She has a prescription for a nasal spray called Flonase. She uses it daily for two weeks prior to a dive trip, and once a day right through the trip. She never has sinus issues while diving. Might be worth a try.

 

[fisheater]

I had problems during my OW dives, too.

I resolved them a few dives later. What works for me is pinching my nose and building a gentle pressure and then HOLDING IT until my ears clear. On my OW dives, I simply blew harder and ended up with blood in the mask and "stuffed" ears for a few weeks afterward.

 

[on_two_wheels]

I too was concerned with this. When I was a teen, I had a series of allergy tests done. Of the 40 skin tests, I was allergic to some degree to 29 of them!! Needless to say, I always have sinus issues. I started using Simply Saline on a regular basis which has helped. What's more important and has been said is worry about when and how FIRST!! It's amazing how quickly your ears will clear (just a couple/few feet underwater). On a dive to 50 ft, I'll clear my ears sometimes 10 times! In doing so, I have no problems or even feel anything at all.

If you MUST use meds to clear up, some will suggest a 12 hour sudafed. Even with my sinus issues, I haven't had to resort to that, though. I had one nostril plugged pretty bad not too long ago and still was able to equalize ears and mask, as needed.