ear noises after a painful dive

[jumpfrog]

I am in the process of my AOW. I normally have little problem equaliziing, but today, during a drift dive, I had severe pain...I think that I may have descended too fast in order to stay with my (more experienced) buddy. I had a hard time getting anyone's attention, but my instructor spotted me and took me up a bit. I actually had pain stretching down the side of my throat, and excruciating pain in my right ear...the one that always clears more reluctantly. Anyway, to make a long story longer, when I went up it got better, so I slowly went down again...the ear seemed to clear, but it still didn't seem right. I hovered above the group, and when I went a bit lower to look at something the pain returned, again very bad, and I had to surface and end the dive. I stayed out of the water the rest of the day.

I want to dive tomorrow, but my ear is making clicking or cracking sounds whenever I swallow, so I wonder if I have really done a number on that ear...I don't want to make it worse. Is this maybe just some water gurgling around, and taking it slow might be ok? I know that no one can decide for me, but any advice would be welcome. I have to do a deep dive in the next day or so, but I wonder if it is better to just stay out of deep water at this point...
thanks,
JF

 

[utnapistim]

I am in the process of my AOW. I normally have little problem equaliziing, but today, during a drift dive, I had severe pain...I think that I may have descended too fast in order to stay with my (more experienced) buddy. I had a hard time getting anyone's attention, but my instructor spotted me and took me up a bit. I actually had pain stretching down the side of my throat, and excruciating pain in my right ear...the one that always clears more reluctantly. Anyway, to make a long story longer, when I went up it got better, so I slowly went down again...the ear seemed to clear, but it still didn't seem right. I hovered above the group, and when I went a bit lower to look at something the pain returned, again very bad, and I had to surface and end the dive. I stayed out of the water the rest of the day.

I want to dive tomorrow, but my ear is making clicking or cracking sounds whenever I swallow, so I wonder if I have really done a number on that ear...I don't want to make it worse. Is this maybe just some water gurgling around, and taking it slow might be ok? I know that no one can decide for me, but any advice would be welcome. I have to do a deep dive in the next day or so, but I wonder if it is better to just stay out of deep water at this point...
thanks,
JF

yeah ... i did that also. i had at one point got a nose-full of water, then tried to equalize; i have no idea where that water went, but i had severe pain in my ear also. i'd say to take it slower for a few days and if the pain persists go and see a doctor. (this is what i did, but the pain fortunately stopped in three days).

also, regarding noise, it's not a medical opinion, but i think they're preety common. i have them sometimes, and as long as you're confortable (no pain or anything like that) you should be fine.

that said, you're much safer with asking a doctor than listening to my advice. i just wanted to add my two cents here

 

[jumpfrog]

yeah ... i did that also. i had at one point got a nose-full of water, then tried to equalize; i have no idea where that water went, but i had severe pain in my ear also. i'd say to take it slower for a few days and if the pain persists go and see a doctor. (this is what i did, but the pain fortunately stopped in three days).

also, regarding noise, it's not a medical opinion, but i think they're preety common. i have them sometimes, and as long as you're confortable (no pain or anything like that) you should be fine.

that said, you're much safer with asking a doctor than listening to my advice. i just wanted to add my two cents here

Thanks...it turned out to be fine..I just was careful to go down slow, and didn't have a problem the rest of my dives.

 

[lord1234]

check with an ENT about this...you may have caused yourself some damage...

 

[pipedope]

Go to; http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/
and watch the streaming video, "The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure"

It will help you understand what is going on and how to avoid problems in the future.

 

[steelemagnolia6]

I have problems equalizing if I rush to descend. I have to take it slow! As mentioned before check out that web site if has some great info on how to equalize!

 

[utnapistim]

Go to; http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/
and watch the streaming video, "The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure"

It will help you understand what is going on and how to avoid problems in the future.

thanks for that link! there's lots of usefull information inthere