Ear pain on ascent

[ilovescuba]

I've just completed my PADI open water course. Upon the last dive I experienced extreme pain in the ears on ascent (during the controlled emergency ascent exercise) and couldn't clear until I reached the surface. Shortly afterward my right ear was crackling, and 24 hours later my ear has the popping sound on swallowing and talking, and sounds seems somewhat muffled. Is this reverse block?

 

[Bob3]

Yep, you had a reverse block.
When that happens, you go back down & try to nurse things along to the point where you can make a pain free ascent.
You've probably messed your ears up a bit, they should heal up in a couple weeks.

 

[DandyDon]

And I'd guess it's a minor injury. However, I'm not a doctor. You need to safeguard your ears so you can dive another day, among other reasons, and I don't think our dive doc is online, so...

Let me suggest contacting Diver Alert Network. You don't have to be a member. Call them or email them.

Click here: http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/

don