This might be better placed in the instructor to instructor thread, but it applies to all divers too, so...
How long have you continued to dive when you know you have a mild ear infection? Outer ear, pain, saw a doctor, red, but not hideous. For me, having to dive everyday, I look at it like an athlete playing hurt. Sometimes, you just have to do it. For years I've managed to deal with them as they come and go. Only once previously did I stop diving for 5 days when it was an obviously bad infection, but recently I had something new come up.
I came out of the water 5 days ago and my left ear was completely blocked. It was like having cotton stuffed in my ear. I went to the clinic, and she pulled out what was apparently puss that had solidified and blocked my outer ear. I could dive fine. I fact, I felt better in that out, but I took her advice and went on meds and stayed dry for the past 6 days.
Anyway, the question is, how many of you "play hurt" and how many of you bail on the first sign of an infection. Asking around other instructors I work with and know on the island, I get everything from machismo to rush to the nearest hospital.
What do you do?
How long have you continued to dive when you know you have a mild ear infection? Outer ear, pain, saw a doctor, red, but not hideous. For me, having to dive everyday, I look at it like an athlete playing hurt. Sometimes, you just have to do it. For years I've managed to deal with them as they come and go. Only once previously did I stop diving for 5 days when it was an obviously bad infection, but recently I had something new come up.
I came out of the water 5 days ago and my left ear was completely blocked. It was like having cotton stuffed in my ear. I went to the clinic, and she pulled out what was apparently puss that had solidified and blocked my outer ear. I could dive fine. I fact, I felt better in that out, but I took her advice and went on meds and stayed dry for the past 6 days.
Anyway, the question is, how many of you "play hurt" and how many of you bail on the first sign of an infection. Asking around other instructors I work with and know on the island, I get everything from machismo to rush to the nearest hospital.
What do you do?