Equalization?

[gyellow]

hey guys,

Im new to diving and i only have 5 total dives. 2 of them being and actual open water dive down to 80feet. Now my question is about equalization. on my bridge dive down to 25 feet i had no problems with equalization, now yesterday on my first open water dives i had trouble equalization when i hit 10-20feet...i was equalizing evey 3-5 feet when i hit 10-20 feet i couldnt equalize for at least 2 minutes then i finally got it and continued my descent to 60-80feet.. now my bottom time was awesome and i had no problems with my ears at all and my ascent was perfect!! the same thing happend on my second dive of the day. now after my dive i felt good.. but about an hour later my ears started acting up. they are always popping and i hear fine and they dont hurt but they just feel weird. my buddy i dove with doent have any of these problems so i thougth it was just me.. now my question is is this normal for a new diver?? or is this awkwardness with my ears going to happen every dive?? if this is not normal what can i do to stop it? or will it just take time for my body to get use to?? sorry for the long post but its kinda a pain in my butt.. thanks fo the help in advance!!


Gregg

 

[y2hog]

Hi Gregg
I just wanted you to know i had the same promblem. But i pushed it,And i rip a small hold in my ear drum. Make sure you equalizs as much and as often as you need to.That will stop you from hurting yourself.Now that im cert. i cant go back into the water in to it heals 100 %.I hope its soon i cant weight to get back into the water.
Rob

 

[pinkydinky]

try docs pro plugs i had that same problem and these made it all go away and now i can enjoy my dives also remember "early and often"

 

[Teamcasa]

Equalizing should be done as often as necessary and is often not done frequently enough. Even a few feet of depth changes can cause some people discomfort.

Sinus issues will also cause some people problems equalizing. Some people use over-the-counter decongestants to help keep things clear before diving. (There are a few threads on that subject alone.)

Equalize often, both descending and ascending, soon you won't even realize your are doing it.

 

[ScubaRich]

There could be a number of reasons for your difficulty. Did you recently get over a cold or have allergies? You may have just been a little stuffed up that caused the difficult equalization. Start trying to equalize your ears even before suiting up to dive, That should give you an indication on how it will be on descent. Remember from your OW class the greatest pressure change is the first 33 feet. It should not happen every dive, And as stated above don't force it or you could rupture an eardrum.

 

[shark_tamer]

Hi Gregg,

As stated before me, equalize as often as needed.

I will add: Even more often than needed. Don't wait untill you feel the need to equalize ... make it a habit to equalize often, especially the first 33 feet ( 10 meters ) where the pressure difference is greater.

Remember OW class:

0 to 33 feet : 1 ATA to 2 ATA ... double the pressure
33 feet to 66 feet : 2 ATA to 3 ATA .... 1/2 more pressure
66 feet to 99 feet : 3 ATA to 4 ATA ... 1/3 more pressure

The " 0 to 33 " feet level is even more important when ascending and when you have to slowly ascent.


One thing I noticed in your post,

when i hit 10-20 feet i couldnt equalize for at least 2 minutes then i finally got it and continued my descent to 60-80feet..

Gregg

... when you have problems equalizing, the procedure is:

1) Stop your descent
2) Go back up a couple of feet/meters until you don't feel the pressure.
3) Equalize
4) Resume your descent

You may have to repeat this procedure as often as needed.

**The book says if you are not able to equalize, you should not resume your descent !!!

And you could try a slower descent rate. Slower descent rate makes it easier to feel the need to equalize.

Hope this will help. You'll get the hang of it after a while ... don't give up !!!

 

[gyellow]

thanks for the all the help guys...ya i didnt keep descending until i equalized and i did equalize cause i felt good during my two bottom times. i havent been sick in 4ever but one think i did foget to mention is that on my ascents from 15feet to the surface i got nose bleed son both dives...but one thing i have to take into considerations about the nose bleeds was the extreme temperature differences between thermoclines...the bottom temp was 66 degrees and the surface was 93 degrees so i think the nose bleed were cause of the sudden temp changes cause i have always been prone to nose bleeds in sudden temp changes!! my main question was is it normal for my ears to feel awkward a day or so after my dive cause i did get them equalized they just feel weird today!!!

 

[stadevene]

My OW instructor gave me a good tip which I try and follow. Start equalizing before the dive. On the boat ride out to the site or on the drive out, do your hold the nose ear clearing exercise every few minutes. This may help "loosen up" your sinus cavities.

I don't know if there is anything really physiologically happening (maybe one of the medical pros could chime in) but it does seem to help.

I also find Pro plugs help prevent the after diving weirdness because I don't have water in my ear anymore which I found caused some of that popping sound and or course the sloshy full ear feel.

 

[gyellow]

ya i thought the after affect was prolly the water in my eyes and it just takes time to dry out and get out of my ear

 

[johnatabc]

Hi gyellow

Dandy Don provided a link to a video on equalizing that i found very helpful, as below :

Ear Equalizing Video from Univ of Washington, Really a must-see for any newbie

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Got this from Pipedope This is really an excellent, hour long video on the most common problem as well as injury in scuba - equalizing....

From the University of Washington...

Quote:
The Diver's Ear: Under Pressure
Scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming and flying can be fun ways to explore the depths and heights of the world - especially if you can clear your ears as pressure changes. In this presentation you will learn techniques for preventing middle ear barotraumas and steps to equalize pressure in your ears, and safe ways to prevent "ear squeeze."

Speaker: Edmond Kay, M.D., clinical assistant professor, Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; diving medical officer, Dive Safety Program, University of Washington

http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.aspx?rID=2272

Save that site and review anytime...
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~ A Must-See Video For New Divers: Equalizing! ~