Ears troublesome on second dive of 2

[DougK]

I don't have the fastest clearing ears in the world, I understand and deal with this. However, I have noticed a pattern that I can descend a lot better on the first dive of the day than the second.

Last week I was diving in St. Thomas and noticed again my ears were harder to clear on dive number 2 of 2. I had similar problems in Key Largo last year.

The St. Thomas dives were beach dives to the same depth, same reef, just a little different spot on the reef. I had to drop back, or should I say hang up a little in the water until I could clear up. On all occasions I can get down, but it is slower and a little problematic, as I slow down my buddy and the dive -- this was a guided dive.

Anyone else find this to an issue, or have any solutions?

 

[TheRedHead]

I get water stuck in my ears and found that using an ear drying drop (available at phamacies for swimmer's ear) helps. There are many home brewed recipies on the board here too! Also, the Valsava can irritate your tubes and make them swell so it is best to clear by another means (like swallowing).

 

[spectrum]

That's odd, my first dive is more likely to pose a challenge.

Sounds like you may be building up some sort of congestion. Perhaps blowing your nose between dives and using something benign like a saline nose spray will help clear things out for dive 2.

I know that about 1/2 way through any dive I need to blow my nose due to congestion, regardless of my health regarding colds or even active allergies. It's just the coolness on my head I guess.

Pete

 

[ZAquaman]

I often have trouble on my second dives as well. Not so much my ears but my sinuses. Sometimes it feels like my teeth are going to pop out! Must have a sticky sinus near the nerves of my teeth?

Anyway, I use an over the counter neo-synephrine spray. It's works quickly and wears off in an hour or two. I think it's a vaso-constrictor? It also seems to work when I'm having trouble with my ears.