Ear equalization problems

[robby13]

I just got back from what was supposed to be my Open Water certification weekend.

I did not get certified because I could not get my ears to equalize. I went down and the pain was incredible. I tried to equalize all the way down but couldn't. I tried three times. The first time I got down to 16 feet, the second only 10 feet and the third, 7 feet.

The air temperature was 79 degrees F, the water 63 degrees at the surface.

I felt that I had a bit of a head cold, but I could breathe freely through my nose and mouth.

I'm very frustrated and I am looking for some answers.

Was the coldness of the water a factor?

How could I have prevented this from happening?

Are there any exercises I can do to better prepare/condition my ears?

I've read about www.proplugs.com/ and hwww.proear2000.com/ in these forums. Do I need to buy either?

We're going to try again this coming weekend in warmer (70 degrees) water.

I don't want to go through this aggravation again.

Please help!

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I felt that I had a bit of a head cold

Well if you think you did then that's probably the problem. If you haven't had trouble equalizing in the past I would say that this is the difference.

I equalize the same warm or cold. The only time I'll have any troubles is if I haven't been diving for awhile. I've been diving a lot lately and can drop down without even noticing that I'm equalizing and I'm sure you'll reach that point too eventually.

I'm sure the instructor discussed various ways to equalize right?

 

[robby13]

Yes, my instructor taught me several techniques. I'm just a bit freaked out right now because I don't KNOW that I'll be able to equalize next time or not. I don't have any experience equalizing.

 

[JoeH]

When I first started diving I had troubles as well.
A fellow diver told me to pre fill the ears just a little even before I start under (by pinching the nose and blowing just enough to feel the air flow into the ear). And to do this often on the way down, if you feel preasure you have waited to long. It worked great for me. As I did more diving it became very easy to equalize.

Good luck and I hope it was just a cold.

 

[TRIG]

I had the same thing happen at the DUI DEMO in Gilboa, OH
Last weeked . Water temp at surface about 64, did O.K. at 6FT,
and 10 FT and 15FT. Below that, temp was about 59, and I
couldn`t equailize. Tried three times. Never had much probiem before.
I think I may have been getting a cold, or my hood was too tight,
or the neck seal on my new dry suit was too tight, or I may have
been trying too hard or too late. I know what you go through
trying to figure this out, when you just don`t know. I`m going to
make ajustments in all the above and try again. Also I hadn`t
did any diving, except twice in pool, since last year. The following link is informative.

http://www.scubadiving.com/training/medicine/stopearpain/

Later;

Trig

 

[TRIG]

I had the same thing happen at the DUI DEMO in Gilboa, OH
Last weeked . Water temp at surface about 64, did O.K. at 6FT,
and 10 FT and 15FT. Below that, temp was about 59, and I
couldn`t equailize. Tried three times. Never had much probiem before.
I think I may have been getting a cold, or my hood was too tight,
or the neck seal on my new dry suit was too tight, or I may have
been trying too hard or too late. I know what you go through
trying to figure this out, when you just don`t know. I`m going to
make ajustments in all the above and try again. Also I hadn`t
did any diving, except twice in pool, since last year. The following link is informative.

http://www.scubadiving.com/training/medicine/stopearpain/

Later;

Trig

 

[ssra30]

The day before I dive, I usually practice valsalva a few times. Usually if both my ears pop then I don't do anything, just a couple of practice run in a boat before the dive. If I feel that there is a problem then either sudafed or a little antihistamine an hour or so before a dive usually help. I am one of those people who can never equalize my ears without doing a valsalva maneuver.
Also I would do it often and don't wait until my ears hurt before doing it. Basically I do it at least a couple of times with every breath. If the ears hurt and I can't clear my ears, just ascend a bit until the ears stop hurting and try again before descending.
So far this seems to help and I never had to terminate my dive from equalization problem.

 

[khel]

ssra30 once bubbled...
I usually practice valsalva a few times.

Please, excuse my ignorance, but what is Valsalva????

Thanks

khel

 

[Diversauras]

I'd suggest that you have a doctor take a look and you should try to find one who is either a diver or has some hyperbaric training. My son was diagnosed as having a eustation (sp?) tube narrowing that needed surgery before he could dive, I think pressure was closing it off before he could clear. Anyway he didn't care that much about diving then so he never got it done.

 

[ssra30]

khel once bubbled...


Please, excuse my ignorance, but what is Valsalva????

Thanks

khel

Valsalva manuever is when you close your nose, mouth and try to exhale. When the pressure inside exceed the external pressure, the ears pop.