Equalizing?

[Waterpolo]

Guys, I am fairly new to diving and still have issues or problems with equalizing from time to time.

It was stressed during my training to avoid using and meds such as Sudafed to help clear sinuses before a dive but I noticed on one of the threads that a diver is using a nasal spray of some sort. I do not need meds to clear my sinuses but I am asking would some of the over the counter products possibly help; or maybe some of you veteran divers out there have a few suggestions on various techniques that work well.

One other question while I am on here; I am not a big guy by any means (175lbs.) and own a size large wetsuit but feel like I am trying to squeeze in to a small. Is there any easy way to get in to these?

Thanks

 

[MasterGoa]

Use sweet almond oil in your ears before
diving.

Also, are you tall?

I correctly sized wetty but too short
will seem like a very hard task for no reason.

MG

 

[REII]

Hi Waterpolo;

I have allergies so I use Sudafed if I cannot clear my sinuses out before diving. It has worked fine for me. I try not to take anything before diving, but the Sudafed should last the full day.

As for the wetsuit: you will find that different brands of wetsuits tend to be sized a little differently. Best thing is to go to your LDS and try on a bunch without worrying about what the sizing label says.

The other thing is that the thicker the suit the more difficult it is to get on. Try using some baby oil when you are suiting up. It will help get the suit on easier, and you will smell lovely.

TOM

 

[cbborromeo]

To become good at equalising, all you need is practice. When you chew gum or yawn, you hear your ears pop sometimes, right? That is equalising. Practice at your local pool or do some shallow dives and you will be able to do it at will in no time.

The trouble with taking Sudafed or Nasal spray is that it may wear off while you are at depth and you will be sorry as you ascend. With experience, you will learn how to handle it better.

A tip for getting into a wetsuit is to get it wet first. Easier to slide into that way. Next time you go to buy a new wetsuit, check out the ones which are easy to get into. Henderson makes some great ones.

 

[TheHobster]

my son used saline spray for his sinuses and unless he had a real cold, it worked fine

 

[scratchmyback]

but I noticed on one of the threads that a diver is using a nasal spray of some sort.

My ENT prescribed Flonase for me although I haven't filled the prescription. He also suggested Dristan nasal spray as another alternative.

In the interim, I seem to have sorted out most of my ear clearing issues so I haven't taken any of these meds. I did take Sudafed a couple times very early on but haven't needed anything since.

 

[cbborromeo]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think baby oil will eventually damage a wetsuit and leaves it all slimy. Here are some wet suit use/care tips I found on the internet.

* Do not use hair conditioner, Vaseline or any other wax or petroleum based products in a solution of any kind to slide suit on and off.

* Use only a solution of 10% antibacterial soap and 90% warm or cold water or kelp slime to slide suit on and off.

* Use of hot water above 98F degrees body temp to flush, clean or "warm-up" after a dive attacks the glue seams

* Do not expose "skin" side of suit to heat such as direct sun, boat engine compartment or trunk of car.

* To dry suit leave material side out in sun only long enough to dry. Do not store suit in boat engine compartment or car trunk. Cool air drying is best in the shade.

* If diving nitrox or repetitive deep diving daily use a second suit to allow for suit recovery from compression. Using same suit repetitively reduces the life of the suit by half its normal life.

* Taking suit on and off is done best by slipping in and out of suit with soapy water. Reverse peeling out of a 3/8" or 1/2" suit puts a great deal of stress on glue seam and will cause seam breakdown. This breakdown is particularly aggravated by a dive tender pulling on the suit or the diver standing on part of the suit while reverse peeling the suit off.

 

[ScubaRev]

Regarding ears, I would strongly recommend this article and this video. Best ear advice around, by a diving ENT.

 

[REII]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think baby oil will eventually damage a wetsuit and leaves it all slimy.
* Taking suit on and off is done best by slipping in and out of suit with soapy water. Reverse peeling out of a 3/8" or 1/2" suit puts a great deal of stress on glue seam and will cause seam breakdown. This breakdown is particularly aggravated by a dive tender pulling on the suit or the diver standing on part of the suit while reverse peeling the suit off.

Interesting. I wash my wetsuit after using it so mine does not stay slimy. I have only had this one for 3 years, but I have not noticed any damage so far. However, that worries me a little.

Question on the symantics though. On a dive boat, how would you work the soapy water? On my own boat I could have a bucket of water and soap it up to put it on. But I also dive on a dive boat, especially during the cold months. On the dive boat I am not sure how this could be done? Maybe wet the suit and try to lather in some soft soap?"

Any ideas?

Thanks,

TOM

 

[altitudemike]

I dive in very cold water all the time. No choice really it's where I live. I always take 1/2 a reactine before each dive to keep clear.Our average water temp at 60 ft is 42*f. Reactine helps keep me clear while the cold water tries to get me LOL.