Ear problems on second dive ?

[Stargazer]

I thought I had figured out how to equilibrate on the way down pretty well, but then a new problem appeared, which has happened a few times now: the first dive is unremarkable and equilibration is easy. But during the second dive, I start to feel pain in the ears after I have been down for a while, and at relatively shallow depths - e.g. 25-40 ft. - and can't equilibrate very successfully - sometimes with a really forceful Valsalva, but it feels like I'm going to blow my ears apart. Once this starts, I have to stay above bottom, and either descending or ascending is not fun. Any ideas what is going on and how to fix it ? I've been trying pseudofeds, but these don't work too quickly if at all.

 

[Diver0001]

First things first: You're clearing really hard and that puts you at risk of damaging your ears. If you feel discomfort and have to clear hard to equalize then you need to *ascend* a bit--just a couple of metres in a lot of cases--and try again.

As for the cause, you could be getting some irritation in the Eustachian tubes during repetitive dives that could be making it harder to clear. That's my first bet. Maybe the real experts will have more for you.

R..

 

[fmerkel]

You are most likely getting some irritation/minor trauma on the first dive. This is exacerbated on the 2nd dive causing swelling and difficulty clearing. As you do get down there is compressed air in the middle ear. If you go up it has difficulty getting out. If you go down you need more equalization with similar problems.

Probably you either need to clear more often and possibly more gently. Try to not exceed 2 feet/clear. You should barely feel pressure before clearing. If you feel real pressure or pain you've gone too far and clearing attempt will be excessive and start the irritation problem. Ascend a bit as indicated earlier and try again. Ascending/descending slower and with good control so you can deal with this easily will help.

If that doesn't work you may have to consider medication in addition, another topic. Improve technique first, medication support next.

Fritz

 

[DeepBlueResort]

never never use a forceful Valsalva, dont dive if you have to do this.

 

[Stargazer]

Thanks everyone for the advice....will try it in Hawaii in a few weeks...

 

[MyDiveLog]

The posts are right; problems clearing on subsequent dives that are not present on the first dive are usually indications that you are clearing too forcefully. The only thing I'd add is that you should be descending feet first ... oftentimes people 'swim down' on their first dive due to bouyancy issues, clearing at they go. The first clear, then, is after they've flipped over ... their ears are 5 or 6 feet down by then, making the clearing fairly forceful.

Clear on the surface before you begin descending. Descend feet first, and the air rising will assist, rather than fight, the eustachian tube opening.

Good luck!