Ear Question

[Kanis]

Ok I did my first dive to day and had some problems that I want to ask about. On the way down to the bottom I try to do the ear thing but it did not work until I was a the bottom 30' down. It hurt which they said do it before you feel pain which I did. But my left ear would not go until I was at the bottom. One of the dive people told me that it was not good that I waited until I got to the bottom. I told them that it would not relive the pressure when i pinched my nose. It took a good 10 minutes for me to work my way down, while the rest went straight down. Now is this a major problem because I will be starting the OW training next week? Could it be that I just take longer to relive the pressure, because the older guy got down way before I did? Also could it be I am younger (16) then the rest of the divers?

 

[frankc420]

Have you done your pool work? Did they teach you how to clear your ears?

Honestly if you can't clear your ears on the surface, you shouldn't dive until you can! Did you force your way through the pain until it just immediately went away? If so, did you get dizzy afterwards or on the way up? Or even after the dive?

Most important point, don't dive if you can't clear, until you can clear.

 

[Kanis]

They did the pool work and everything. I would go down do the nose pinch and the pain would go way. But after about 15 feet it was usless. But once I got to the bottom it went away. Now right now I still fell pressure not alot but some. My ears are still poping when i drinking something. I hope this does'nt cause me to not do OW. We have already payed and are only in the Caribbean for a another week.

 

[konasdad]

You'll probably get others to tell you to search the board about this, so let me be the first (maybe). There are many old threads with much advise and links to all sorts of sites with more information on equalizing.

Having said that, there seems to be two problems. One equalizing your ears and two not being able to control your depth until you're on the bottom. I'm assuming this is a boat dive. Go over to the mooring line if you can't equalize and control your bouyancy at the same time.

On my last dive trip one of my friends had problems equalizing. He held on to the mooring line and went down very slowly. The rest of us went down with no problems and waited for him. This didn't seem to be as much of a problem on the next dive. It's something he'll have to work on as will you.

-Mark-

 

[EastEndDiver]

When you pinched your nose did you blow slightly into your pinched nose until the pressure started to be relieved? Or did you just pinch your nose and do nothing else?

 

[rawls]

How frequently are you clearing...Every how many feet?

 

[CrackedConch]

I had a lot of ear problems until I was 17 or 18 years old. Your eustachian tubes connect your inner ear with the back of your throat and allow air to equalize. As part of development, they typically "turn down" at about age 12 and allow better drainage if you get an infection and allow better air flow. Mine didn't fully develop and "turn down" until later on. You could have a similar situation.

Some other tips for equalizing are: while pinching and gently blowing stretch and extend your neck while looking up...tilt your head from side to side... These methods stretch the tubes out straight (i.e. kinked garden hose vs. a straight one). Also try holding your tongue on the roof of your mouth and swallow.

Don't worry about taking time to descend. Everybody has problems equalizing every now and then. Better to take your time than not dive at all.

Also, the more you dive, the more stretched your eustachian tubes will get from the frequent equalization and it will be easier for you to equalize all the time.

 

[Prostar]

Do NOT wait till you get to 30 feet before you clear your ears. Getting them to pop now on the surface is normally a good thing. You want to be able to do that before you hit the water.

Don't worry that you think you are some slow one. It happens all the time. Just work your way down a bit, up a bit, down a bit and you'll get there safely.

Now for the (maybe) good news. The more you dive, the better your ears work.

Go dive safely.

 

[Bubble Junky]

Could it be that I just take longer to relive the pressure, because the older guy got down way before I did?

Is this guy your buddy ? If you are having problems equalising, he should be with you, not waiting on the bottom !! Kick his arse !!
Also on your first couple of OW dives you should be descending using a line/rope or the slope of the bottom contour. This is to aid equalisation until you get used to controlling bouyancy better. Descend 1m/3ft, then try to equalise, and repeat ! Nice slow descents will make it easier, using the rope or bottom to control the speed.

while pinching and gently blowing stretch and extend your neck while looking up...tilt your head from side to side....

This is a good technique - if it's the left ear that's giving you problems, tilt your head to the right to stratch the tubes on the left out and vice versa. Also, a common mistake is to take a big breath in and then to try to equalise. It's much easier if you equalise towards the end of an exhalation. This way the top half of your body is more relaxed.

 

[TSandM]

Kanis, HERE's an excellent video that may help you figure out how to clear your ears more effectively, and understand what the problem is when you can't.