Equalizing

[jacket_fan]

My first post, so hello all...

My 12 year old son and I go for our CO dives next month.

Help this poor old dad out.

I am having a devil of a time both equalizing going down and even trouble coming back up.

We did our initial training in a 12 ft deep pool. Although I could finally equalize, it took me a while. I read in a dive magizine recently about tilting your head to the side to help. Any other suggestions?

I would stop at 2 ft or so, blow and go down. I can feel the pressure on my eardrums, but it just doesn't equalize. There is even a slight audible click, but the pressure is still there. After a minute or two at 12 ft, things are fine, but getting there is a pain - literally.

Also, just coming up from 12 feet I had a problem with getting very light headed 3 or 4 feet down. The effect did not last afer I broke surface, but is pretty disturbing.

I do not want to look too bad in front of my son :cheeky:

Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[pipedope]

Go to;
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html

Watch the video;

Streaming Video Lecture
"The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure"

Scuba diving and snorkeling can be fun ways to explore the depths - especially if you can clear your ears as the pressure changes. In this video lecture Dr. Edmond Kay discusses techniques for preventing middle ear barotrauma. Learn what to do to equalize pressure in your ears, teach others proper techniques and learn the safest way to prevent "ear squeeze". This talk was recorded live in September, 2000 and is now available for Internet viewing over the University's video portal .



Far and away the best ear tutorial out there.

 

[H2Andy]

welcome aboard, Jacket_fan. most divers encounter some sort of problem
equalizing, and the overwhelming majority of them end up having no trouble at
all with a little practice.

a reverse squeeze (pain on the way up) is not so common. talk to your instructor about it, and you might have to visit your dentist to make sure you don't have any dental problems that may be causing the reverse squeeze.

best of luck. you'll love diving.

 

[glbirch]

I do not want to look too bad in front of my son

Mark

Mark, I can't help it, I keep sticking on this line. The previous posts are good advice. But I have to say, what are your priorities? Some people have a harder time clearing than others, that's just life. If you are having difficulties and don't want to tell your son, what are you teaching him? That he should hide his problems? If he was the one having discomfort, wouldn't you want him to tell you rather than suffer? Be honest with him. Let him know your situation. If you plan on diving with him as a buddy each of you needs to know the other's abilities, strengths and weakenesses.

My wife and I have been buddies for years. We are honest with each other and niether of us would feel bad to say to the other "I don't think I feel up to this dive...". for whatever reason. We hope our daughter will want to dive and plan on treating her the same way.

Hope your equalizing problem is nothing serious. Can't imagine anything I'd rather be doing with someone close to me.

 

[Walter]

The most common method of equalization is the Valsalva Maneuver. Named for Antonio Valsalva, this technique involves pinching off the nostrils and blowing gently into the nose. Never blow forcefully while attempting this method as a too forceful Valsalva Maneuver can result in the rupture of the eardrum, round window or oval window. This will usually result in immediate vertigo and hearing loss, which can be permanent.

The Frenzel Maneuver was named for developer, Herman Frenzel of the Luftwaffe in World War II. This method is preformed by closing off the vocal cords, pinching the nostrils and an effort is made to make a "guh" sound.

The Toynbee Maneuver is simply pinching of the nostrils while swallowing.

Beance Tubaire Voluntaire (BTV) or Voluntary Tubal Opening is the preferred method of equalization once mastered. It feels very much like the begining of a yawn and a difference in tonal quality of sounds will be noticed when successful. The muscles of the upper throat are used to pull open the Eustachian tube.

You should employ equalization techniques immediately upon descent and continue them regularly on descent. If any pain is experienced, you should ascend until all pain disappears and begin again.

Another equalization technique divers find helpful is to gently massage the area under the ear, just behind the jaw. This is most effective when used in conjunction with one of the methods discussed above.

Often divers find it useful to chew gum or eat crunchy foods such as apples or carrots prior to diving. You should not attempt to chew gum or eat while diving.

If you are unable to equalize ear pressure, it is possible to rupture the eardrum, round window or oval window. This will usually result in immediate vertigo and hearing loss, which can be permanent. If you are unable to equalize, you should abort the dive.

 

[Snowbear]

start equalizing BEFORE you descend. You *should* be able to find out what you need to do to get a slight "pop" in your ears while you're sitting at your computer reading these replies. Whatever you find worked, try it in the pool. Start doing it before your head is submerged and keep doing it continuously as you descend. If you need to, STOP your descent or even ascend a bit until your ears clear. On ascent, if your ears are not equalizing automatically - either you have a blockage or you are ascending too fast.

Don't worry about what your kid thinks - teach him to be a good buddy and to stay with you until you're able to continue.

 

[Michael Schlink]

Many people have trouble "clearing" their ears in the beginning of their dive career, however some people have an actual problem with the physiology of the ear structure-I do-Can you ride in a airplane comfortably? Do you have trouble "clearing" your ears on descent in a plane? I would suggest you see a ENT and preferably one who is familiar with diving. Although it is usually not recommended to use decongestants while diving some people require it. conditions such as sinusitis and rinitus(sic) make it difficult to move air through the eustachion tube. additionally some people will have a problem with one or both of their eustachion tubes. If you continue to have a problem clearing even after you are comfortable with the different techniques used see a doctor. I used to have alot of problems with clearing of both my ears and sinus cavities-1 trip to the doctor about 16 years ago took care of it-Dive Safe-M

 

[jacket_fan]

Thanks for all the pointers.

Interesting video, very well done.

glbirch, Since my son is my dive buddy, I have told him and we have gone over my limitations. I agree with your attitude. We have the hand signs for ears down pat. I do not want to be the one to limit his enjoyment of this sport, especially in the beginning.

MS, I can equalize on an airplane by yawing, but there have been times lately where it takes a bit longer or I have to yawn or awallow a couple of times. Obviously, diving has quite a bit more dynamic pressure involve.

My plan is to get in the pool this week and practice the techniques ya'll have provided. Practice 'till I get it right.

Thanks for all the great info,

 

[glbirch]

Good luck, and don't forget to let us know how the checkouts go.

 

[H2Andy]

yeah, let us know. you'll have a blast