Ear Drops

[av8er23]

I was told by someone that you were supposed to use some kind of ear drops after each dive. My instructor never told me this during training. Is this true?

 

[David P]

cant hurt, mix 50% rubbing alchol and 50% vinegar

 

[Desa]

Like David P said, can't hurt. Usually helps dry the water out of your ears. If you are prone to ear-aches, then its probably a good idea. If I don't use something, I will get an ear-ache a few days after I dive. On the other hand, neither one of my kids use the drops and they never get ear-aches.

 

[scutterjoe]

Speaking as someone working in the chemical/pharceutical industry, I would not recommend mixing your own concoction to pour into your ears.
There are many 'off the shelf' ear drop products, suitable to help reduce ear infections and clear ears after swimming and/or diving. All of these types have an amount of mild Alcohol to aid the drying process in your ears. Never use these products if you have inflammed ears, perforated ear drums etc. Even a scratch on your ear lobe will sting like crazy when this stuff runs over it!
A product aptly named 'SwimEar' is one available in the UK atleast. Companies like Johnson & Johnson, Glaxo Smith Kline Beacham, 3M and Novartis all do their own versions.
I would recommend you ask at your local pharmacy for expert help and guidance

 

[emtdan]

Speaking as someone working in the chemical/pharceutical industry, I would not recommend mixing your own concoction to pour into your ears.
There are many 'off the shelf' ear drop products, suitable to help reduce ear infections and clear ears after swimming and/or diving. All of these types have an amount of mild Alcohol to aid the drying process in your ears. Never use these products if you have inflammed ears, perforated ear drums etc. Even a scratch on your ear lobe will sting like crazy when this stuff runs over it!
A product aptly named 'SwimEar' is one available in the UK atleast. Companies like Johnson & Johnson, Glaxo Smith Kline Beacham, 3M and Novartis all do their own versions.
I would recommend you ask at your local pharmacy for expert help and guidance

I sometimes use Swimmers Ear . It works pretty well, and usually dries out quickly. I rarely get ear-aches or infections, but use it as a precaution. I know a lot of ppl that have gotten nasty infections and been out of the water for over a week.

The other thing is the bottles are pretty cheap. US$ 3 should buy you a bottle for for 40 or 50 dives.

 

[Hoyden]

Speaking as someone working in the chemical/pharceutical industry, I would not recommend mixing your own concoction to pour into your ears.
There are many 'off the shelf' ear drop products, suitable to help reduce ear infections and clear ears after swimming and/or diving. All of these types have an amount of mild Alcohol to aid the drying process in your ears. Never use these products if you have inflammed ears, perforated ear drums etc. Even a scratch on your ear lobe will sting like crazy when this stuff runs over it!
A product aptly named 'SwimEar' is one available in the UK atleast. Companies like Johnson & Johnson, Glaxo Smith Kline Beacham, 3M and Novartis all do their own versions.
I would recommend you ask at your local pharmacy for expert help and guidance

You can pay $5.95 for a 1 fluid ounce bottle of Auro-dry - 95% Isopropyl alcohol 5% Anhydrous glycerin - or you can buy a 16 ounce bottle of Isopropyl alcohol and an 8 ounce bottle of anydrous glycerin for under $10. If you do a SB search for ear drops or ear ache you will get a good list of posts on the subject. I use 50% alcohol and 50% vinegar - works great.

Jackie

 

[StSomewhere]

For salt water diving, rinse the salt out of your ears first (with fresh water or an ear wax solution), then use the swimmers ear drops. I have had ear problems just about since I was born, and I can't recommend this highly enough. People who've known me my entire life are shocked I can scuba dive with my ears, rinsing and swimmers ear drops are the only reasons I can.

 

[SubMariner]

I was told by someone that you were supposed to use some kind of ear drops after each dive. My instructor never told me this during training. Is this true?

Generally, people do not need anything after salt water dives. But freshwater tends to encourage nasties, so we use the 50-50 solution that was already discussed.

IOW, it's not really necessary after EVERY dive unless you are prone to ear infections.

I am not a healthcare professional, nor do I play one on TV. And I haven't slept @ a Holiday Inn Express in years

 

[bgray]

I asked by personal physician this same question a few weeks ago. He said that he uses the 1:1 vinegar and alcohol combo on his own kids. I will trust his judgment.

 

[av8er23]

thanks for all of the tips.