Ears and diving

[BKP]

You might want to do a “try scuba” program. Most, if not all, certifying agencies offer one. They are usually pretty inexpensive, or even free. They take place either in a pool or very calm open water. It gives you a chance to actually submerge on scuba, with an instructor. Explain your concern to the staff in advance. If you can’t equalize, you can just stay on the surface.

I’m most familiar with PADI, who calls it “Discover Scuba Diving. They offer it at eleven locations in Israel. See:
http://www.padi.com/padi/common/dcnr1/results.aspx?country=ISRL

I agree with knotical... Find an LDS, you'd think you'd be happy with... let them know you need to make a 'test run' in their pool, solely for the purpose of testing equalization, and if it's not a problem, you'll sign up for their OW class... (if they don't accommodate you, then I'd go elsewhere anyway).

You'll know in the first 10 feet if equalization will present a problem (of course, make sure you understand the Valsalva, before heading for the bottom of the pool)... And, also understand, that it *does* get simpler, and 2nd nature with each progressive dive...

 

[CJ Waid]

The Classic Ear Hurts Syndrome: Don't take this the wrong way, but go clean out your ears!!!

There are a couple things you can do to help yourself with this ear problem:

1) Buy some "EAR DRY" or a similar product, Walmart carries it in the Pharm. area. It's just Isopropyl Alcohol. It help with swimmers ear. I usually just use this stuff after coming out of the water as kind of a preventative type thing, but just once in a while, whenever the thought occurs to me to do it.

2) Use Wax Removal on your ears. They make stuff to remove the wax from your ears, works a lot better than just using a q-tip. The stuff I use is called Murine Wax Removal System. it's just Carbamide Peroxide, but there are other forms of alcohol that work too, but there are some that are bad for your ears too, so just make sure you buy a product that is designed to remove ear wax.

OR

3) THE BEST OPTION: Go to a clinic, and get your ears cleaned professionally, it cost about $30, you do it once a year, or once every two years, it is painless, and it works better than anything you can buy over the counter.

The reason you are having trouble equalizing is simply water getting trapped behind ear wax, and air is getting trapped behind that.

The reason most people have an easier time equalizing as time goes by is because they generally clear the blockage out just enough whereas the problem goes away, just by equalizing thier ears often enough.

I would strongly suggest that you just go to a clinic and pay the $30 to have it professionally done, as a matter of fact, I have to make an appointment for myself pretty soon, thanks for reminding me.

A professional cleaning. It helps you equalize!!!