Doctor Advice

[Fordan]

I've never been to a dive shop... are the pools that deep ? The major chain down here is Diver's Unlimited

I've never been in one deeper than 15ft, but they probably do exist. You could also do a Discover Scuba class out in open water as well, like an ocean or lake or the like.

Personally, I would still make sure to see the Doc first, since you'll likely have to do a medical questionaire for either Discover Scuba or your actual class. In fact, you may want to get a copy of it before seeing the doc, as if your ears are the only concern, you can get him to sign off on it. The form may look like this, but you should check with the dive shop you're considering using to be sure.

I suspect you'll be fine if you could go to 15ft without equalizing with only mild discomfort, and you aren't having issues equalizing on airplanes, but you should still see a Doctor, and if you don't have one you deal with currently, getting a referral from DAN for one familar with Dive Medicine would be good too.

 

[vader88]

The dive shop offers a full refund if for any reason I can't equalize. I figure this is a win win situation. The guy still wants me to come in tomorrow to talk and explain my
problem to him. When I explained to him what I could and couldn't do, he seemed to
think I was fine and sounded like every other beginner diver. He said we could jump
in the pool and do a few things before I put any money down.

 

[dave4868]

The dive shop offers a full refund if for any reason I can't equalize. I figure this is a win win situation. The guy still wants me to come in tomorrow to talk and explain my
problem to him. When I explained to him what I could and couldn't do, he seemed to
think I was fine and sounded like every other beginner diver. He said we could jump
in the pool and do a few things before I put any money down.

Sounds like an excellent shop!

Good luck.

Dave C

 

[Jim Lapenta]

If you do this I hope that they advise you to begin equalizing the minute your head goes under the water. New divers often wait till the pain starts and by then it's too late. I often begin gentle equalization ON THE WAY TO THE DIVE SITE. And remember to do it gently. IF your eyeballs are bugging out and you are turning different colors you waited too long and are trying to hard. go up until all it takes is a little gentle pressure to clear.

 

[vader88]

If you do this I hope that they advise you to begin equalizing the minute your head goes under the water. New divers often wait till the pain starts and by then it's too late. I often begin gentle equalization ON THE WAY TO THE DIVE SITE. And remember to do it gently. IF your eyeballs are bugging out and you are turning different colors you waited too long and are trying to hard. go up until all it takes is a little gentle pressure to clear.

I've been sitting here all day and just lightly pinching and blowing through my nose and I hear a very gental pop. I hope that's what I'm looking for. On a side note, for some reason when I swallow today, my ear pop multiple times on ocassion. I do have a slightly runny nose today.

Starting to get a little excited now, just cleared my schedule for the last two weeks of this month so I can get certified

 

[fisherdvm]

I think if you do the "popping" thing too much, you can congest your eustachian tube a bit... So don't over do it.

I wouldn't do it too much, but you get the idea. Sometime, wiggling your jaw or swallow will clear up the pressurized air that you have forced into the ear. This is important when you ascend from the depth in scuba, as the compressed air now want to exit the middle ear.

 

[spectrum]

I've been sitting here all day and just lightly pinching and blowing through my nose and I hear a very gental pop. I hope that's what I'm looking for. On a side note, for some reason when I swallow today, my ear pop multiple times on ocassion. I do have a slightly runny nose today.

Starting to get a little excited now, just cleared my schedule for the last two weeks of this month so I can get certified

Go for it!

If you are confident that your past injury is behind you then it will be up to your instructor whether you need to be cleared on this issue. It will be on your medical questionnaire. Getting checked is always safe

I would expect your ears to be uncomfortable while skin-diving to 15 feet. I usually clear a couple times on a duck dive to 12 feet. The key is to clear BEFORE discomfort or preferably even feeling the need. If you are getting a little release when you practice your valsalva that's all you should expect, you're on the right track. Keep doing it daily but don't get carried away. Your eustachian tubes will become conditioned to open easier with regular clearing.

The fact that you have a runny nose could mean anything. Hopefully you are one of the fortunate ones that can equalize by swallowing! Diving worth congestion is a big taboo so get past the cold before hitting the pool. I'd ease of on the valsalva practice just in case you're driving snot where it is better off not being.

On a direct descent scuba dive clearing on each breath is a safe and common practice while dropping down.

Good luck,
Pete

 

[vader88]

Go for it!

If you are confident that your past injury is behind you then it will be up to your instructor whether you need to be cleared on this issue. It will be on your medical questionnaire. Getting checked is always safe

I would expect your ears to be uncomfortable while skin-diving to 15 feet. I usually clear a couple times on a duck dive to 12 feet. The key is to clear BEFORE discomfort or preferably even feeling the need. If you are getting a little release when you practice your valsalva that's all you should expect, you're on the right track. Keep doing it daily but don't get carried away. Your eustachian tubes will become conditioned to open easier with regular clearing.

The fact that you have a runny nose could mean anything. Hopefully you are one of the fortunate ones that can equalize by swallowing! Diving worth congestion is a big taboo so get past the cold before hitting the pool. I'd ease of on the valsalva practice just in case you're driving snot where it is better off not being.

On a direct descent scuba dive clearing on each breath is a safe and common practice while dropping down.

Good luck,
Pete

Thanks Guys, great info...I've scheduled my class for the 17-18 and following weekend

 

[DandyDon]

It's certainly good to seek professional medical advice when in doubt, but your ears sound like mine - and I can descend faster than most.

If you'll complete your profile, you'll get better answers.

good luck, have fun, stay safe..