ear clearing after swim/dive/snorkell

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Jon-boi

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Okay - not sure if this is the best forum but I'm still anewbie...:)
After swimming/snorkelling/diving does any one else have water in the ear....it causes that rushing sort of noise when you move your head.

It doesn't cause any serious issue just annoyance. I have tried warm air over the ear, tilting head and pulling at the ear but for some reason the water won't come out until night time always it seems just as I'm about to drop off.

Does any one else have this experience....what do u do to get rid of it?
 
Try Swimmers Ear, usually available at your LDS. You can also mix your own, alcohol and (I think) boric acid, don't recall the %. Bet someone else will come up with the formula.
 
wilkie:
Try Swimmers Ear, usually available at your LDS. You can also mix your own, alcohol and (I think) boric acid, don't recall the %. Bet someone else will come up with the formula.

You can also mix 50% alcohol with 50% hydrogen peroxide.
 
I was thinking it was a super simple solution, actually I think plain rubbing alcohol wood work.
 
Yes you do need to take care of your ears. Since a skin-dive may run hours in length the effect is just as great or greater than for a scuba dive.

http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/scuba_ears.html

Also see the feature in this months DAN magzine if you have access to it.

Pete
 
You may simply have a smaller ear canal that tends to keep the water in. Continue with the head tilt you mentioned and pull your earlobe in different directions to see if that will allow it to drain. I have always used a white vinegar/rubbing alcohol solution.
The vinegar helps restore the natural acidity of the ear canal, making it less susceptible to infection while the alcohol is a drying aid.
 
It is important to start clearing ears before diving. Prior to your dives, gently start the Valsalva exercises. You can do this on an intermittant schedule weeks before your dives trips. Then, make sure you clear right before going down and then of course every two feet on the way down. These exercises will help with getting and staying clear once you surface. Remember, GENTLE pressure when clearing your ears. Vinegar/rubbing alcohol solution is a very common mixture that seems to help maintain natural acidity and drying up liquid. If the problem continues or you have pain, hold your dives, evaluate your condition before diving and/or consult with your physician.
 
freediver:
You may simply have a smaller ear canal that tends to keep the water in. Continue with the head tilt you mentioned and pull your earlobe in different directions to see if that will allow it to drain. I have always used a white vinegar/rubbing alcohol solution.
The vinegar helps restore the natural acidity of the ear canal, making it less susceptible to infection while the alcohol is a drying aid.

I use the half and half vinegar/ rubbing alcohol solution, with just a couple drops of baby oil, to help prevent the ear from drying too badly.
 
Sue Sue:
It is important to start clearing ears before diving. Prior to your dives, gently start the Valsalva exercises. You can do this on an intermittant schedule weeks before your dives trips. Then, make sure you clear right before going down and then of course every two feet on the way down. These exercises will help with getting and staying clear once you surface. Remember, GENTLE pressure when clearing your ears. Vinegar/rubbing alcohol solution is a very common mixture that seems to help maintain natural acidity and drying up liquid. If the problem continues or you have pain, hold your dives, evaluate your condition before diving and/or consult with your physician.


Hey Sue Sue - thanks for your reply. The issue is about liquid in the ar after swimming etc not with equalization (for which I have not yet experienced an issue)
 
I think everyones suggestion for helping dry it out is thw way to go...I'll think I'll buy a commercial preparation before going for a 'home brew' else I might not only dry my ears but prolly blow em off as well! ;)

Spectrum I'll check out the link as I don't have access to the DAN mag right now.
 

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