diving is my dream but...

[andrewthomas]

I always wanted to go diving for but for certain reasons with my ears i can not regulate. infact i try to snorkel and if my head gets lower then 10 feet deep my ears start to hurt and i cant equalize them as much as i try.
i have had several operations on my ears when i was younger and had broken my nose about 7 times.

I was wondering if there is ant ear plugs or any head pieces that would allow me to dive without having to worry about regulating or having ear problems while below.

if anyone knows please help me i would greatly appreciate it

 

[knotical]

Not being able to equalize well while snorkeling does not necessarily mean you cannot equalize while on scuba.

If you truly cannot equalize, you cannot dive more than a few feet deep. Physics and physiology dictate that your air spaces in your head (sinuses and middle ears) must be equalized or you will suffer injury.

BUT, maybe you can equalize after all. Can you equalize if/when you travel in airplanes or over mountains? It might take you more time than some others, or you might need to practice equalizing techniques. Suggest you visit a dive-knowledgeable physician to determine whether you truly cannot equalize.

Without knowing the "certain reasons" I doubt if anyone can give you a definitive answer.

I don't know of any appliance that can do the equalizing for you.

good luck

 

[andrewthomas]

Not being able to equalize well while snorkeling does not necessarily mean you cannot equalize while on scuba.

If you truly cannot equalize, you cannot dive more than a few feet deep. Physics and physiology dictate that your air spaces in your head (sinuses and middle ears) must be equalized or you will suffer injury.

BUT, maybe you can equalize after all. Can you equalize if/when you travel in airplanes or over mountains? It might take you more time than some others, or you might need to practice equalizing techniques. Suggest you visit a dive-knowledgeable physician to determine whether you truly cannot equalize.

Without knowing the "certain reasons" I doubt if anyone can give you a definitive answer.

I don't know of any appliance that can do the equalizing for you.

good luck

i have ear problems every day even without going on a plane or anything, i find it hard sometimes to get the correct pressure in my head/ears in my every day life depending on how congested my head is. i have to some what equalize a few times a day.

what about like a dry head piece or something that keeps my head free from equalizing troubles?

 

[tracydr]

It's not the water in your ears, it's pressure. You'll learn if you take a class about the enormous pressure underwater.
See a dive doctor. The only way to really know is to try. You can take a Discover Scuba from an instructor before trying a class.

 

[diver 85]

I would talk to an ENT that knows something about diving.........

 

[Bossman]

I had similar problems and it prevented me from trying to dive for a long time. There is a big difference between diving with a regulator and snorkeling or holding your breath. When on scuba, I found that I can equalize, it sometimes takes some work but that's ok.

I would have earn pain when going to the bottom of a 9 foot swimming pool, but no problem when diving and equalizing early and often. Give it a try, I bet you'll find its easier than you think.

 

[Quero]

It's not the water in your ears, it's pressure. You'll learn if you take a class about the enormous pressure underwater.
See a dive doctor. The only way to really know is to try. You can take a Discover Scuba from an instructor before trying a class.

Yes, see a dive doctor. Yes, if you are cleared to dive, do a Discover Scuba experience first.

I would also like to point out that you will have to fill out a medical form in preparation for the Discover Scuba experience, and you will have to truthfully disclose the surgeries on your ears. As soon as any instructor sees this response on your medical questionnaire, s/he will require that you obtain medical clearance. So the best advice I can give you would be to find an ENT with knowledge of dive physiology for an assessment before you start looking into a Discover Scuba experience. Asking here on an internet forum about ear clearing isn't going to get you on scuba when you have the history of ear problems that you outline, at least not without a doctor's say-so. A dive-specialist ENT can also give you options to remedy the problems you are having in your every day life. Sounds like you could benefit from that doctor's visit whether you end up learning to dive or not.

 

[TSandM]

There is simply no way to avoid having to equalize your ears while doing recreational scuba diving. If you truly cannot equalize at all, you will not be able to dive. But I'd recommend a visit to a knowledgeable ENT doc, for an exam of your Eustachian tubes and some education on equalizing techniques. Given the information you provided about having trouble with your ears even on land, this may just not be an option for you.

 

[rk288]

Try calling Divers Alert Network (DAN) 1-800-446-2671 they'll talk with you and they can help you find a diving doctor near you. My son had a problem then we found out he was not doing it right. Now he's fine...

 

[g1138]

Doc's Proplugs: The Doctor's Choice for Ear Protection

Doc's Pro plugs are the only earplugs recommended for diving that I know of. They have a vent in the plug that supposedly relieves the pressure on your ear, giving you more time to equalize. However you must equalize still even when wearing these.
I say supposedly because I've never used them before.

Asking a doctor with knowledge on diving or calling DAN would be a great idea. On top of that ask yourself a few questions. Can you equalize your ears when entering a long tunnel that changes elevation? Or when your on a plane that's taking off. If you can equalize your ears ("pop" them) on land then is means you can do it underwater. Some people just have a harder time than others, and the only solution is to equalize very VERY often.

Try equalizing your ears when your head is just below the surface, then work your way down very slowly and continue equalizing.

Wearing a weight belt helps to. I remember trying to get to the bottom of an 8 ft pool in a 5mm wetsuit. Had a hell of a time trying to equalize and descend.

...I think I used the word equalize too much, it's starting to look weird when I type it. =\