Damn my ears, damn them both to hell!

[grouchyturtle]

The blood only happened on my first few dives. Def me being a newbie - still getting used to clearing and also having the typical bad buoyancy of most rookies, not to mention not wearing a hood on my first few dives in cold water probably didn't help either.

My buoyancy has improved a lot this summer and I haven't seen blood in quite a while.

My last few dives I seem to be having less problems clearing. Able to get down almost as fast as my buddy. Still have to hold the nose and blow, but it comes easier now.

Maybe part of it is me just being impatient, just like anything else it should get better the more you do it.

Also one of the first things he says in that video is some people just naturally have smaller Eustachian tubes and have more trouble getting the air to flow through them. I think I probably do fit into that category.

A lot of cool tips in here. I'll try incorporate as many of them as I can, if I hit a platue, but right now it does seem to be getting better.

Thanks!

 

[Arnaud]

grunzster once bubbled...
...My last few dives I seem to be having less problems clearing. Able to get down almost as fast as my buddy...

Grunzster,

It's not a race! Take your time on descent. You don't have to be as slow as on ascent, but a fast descent makes it much harder to equalize, especially for the first 30ft.

If your buddy rushes for the bottom each time, talk to him before the dive. The 1 or 2 more minutes you'll spend going down will make it much easier on your ears.

 

[grouchyturtle]

I'm not racing, just going at my own pace, but those last few that pace seemed to be faster, where just a few dives back my buddy would fly down much faster than me.

 

[JessH]

If you are having problems clearing your ears or are just looking to make it even easier you might want to take a look at this site: http://www.tarayoga.net/neti/library.html

It has information on the Yoga method of cleaning out your sinuses It may seem a bit weird but many ENT doctors recommend something similar.

I havent heard anything on how this relates to SCUBA but it seems like it could be very helpful.

~Jess

 

[keytofreedom]

I am one who has trouble with almost immediate pain on descent. I too find it helpful to pre-equalize. I saw my ENT yesterday because I feel I have fluid in my ears after two weeks post-dive. He says I have small eustachian tubes and will always be one of the last to descend.

One thing he suggested I might do is frequently, during the day at home (or wherever) practice the blowing-through-the-pinched-nose (Valsalva maneuver) equalization method, as this could stretch the eustachian tubes some. Feedback from any other docs as to the validity of this would be appreciated.

Anyhow, it's worth a try for me. Thought I would suggest it to you guys.

Also, don't think we're wimps if you have to wait for us at the bottom. We might just have been born wierd. (Wouldn't you know it, I finally have something small on my body, besides my boobs, and it's not a good thing!)

 

[oceancrest67]

I have been diving for about 10 years now. Over a period of time, it was a matter of being patient with myself and getting the technique down right...and NOT letting my buddies or other diver's descents move me into something stupid.

What works for me is an initial equalization at the surface or even right before the giant stride / back flip into the water. Depending on how my ears feel...I give another equalization in the first 10 feet of water...from there, I give periodic equalizations as I descend.

Having my buoyancy in check (slow controlled descent) helps with equalization. Good buoyancy and feeling comfortable in the water really help in setting up a good dive.

 

[gemdiver]

Do you have allergies? Maybe I missed where you said that you did or you didn't.

The first 6 dives I did, I never equallized all the way and would have extreme pain while diving that faded away but when I got to the surface, I wouldn't be able to hear for a couple of days. I figured that it was just something that I was going to have to deal with if I wanted to dive.

I was introduced to DAN by someone on my 6th dive but I didn't use them until I had an awful run in with a crazy dr. This dr. (who pretended like he knew about diving!) gave me nasal injections for months and tubes in my ears were the next step. I contacted DAN and they pointed me to a diving med speciallist. I saw him and all he did was change my allergy meds and told me to equallize before I even hit the water and equallize every 2 feet. He said that if the only way for me to equallize was by holding my nose and blowing, that was fine with him. He also recommended that I practice equallizing around my house before a dive trip.

Have you seen a dr. about this yet? I think you should at least to rule out any possible problems!

IMHO

 

[pipedope]

Pro-ear masks.
I just have to make the point again. You DO NEED TO equallise with these masks. Unless you wear a solid metal helmet you will always have to equalise.
Blue Kangaroo

I just saw this one and need to clarify.

Unless you wear a 1ATM SUIT (Jim or other) you will always need to equalize.

Rigid diving helmets have ways for you to block your nose so you can equalize.

For more ear information, including LOTS of ways to equalize and some cool pictures inside ears, go to;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html
and watch the streaming video.

Streaming Video Lecture
"The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure"

Scuba diving and snorkeling can be fun ways to explore the depths - especially if you can clear your ears as the pressure changes. In this video lecture Dr. Edmond Kay discusses techniques for preventing middle ear barotrauma. Learn what to do to equalize pressure in your ears, teach others proper techniques and learn the safest way to prevent "ear squeeze". This talk was recorded live in September, 2000 and is now available for Internet viewing over the University's video portal .