Eustachian tubes

[Wishforwings]

Hi there,

I am new to diving. I am currently in Iceland and booked to dive silfra fissure later this week.

Unfortunately I had a cold develop last week. By the time I flew it was about over. During the flight my ears needed to be equalized a lot more than usual and were a bit annoying. Since the flight, I seem to be hyper aware of my ears equalizing when I swallow. I arrived yesterday and spent many hours at the blue lagoon, with the constant clicking being almost uncomfortable. Lots of mucous clearing since, and my ears aren't clicking every time I swallow but still sometimes. Otherwise I am feeling completely myself again.

I have allergies to begin with and had big trouble clearing one ear with my first two dives on a discover scuba. My doctor examined it and I had fluid in the ear, suggested 12 hour Sudafed, neti pot and perscribed an allergy nasal spray. On my last two dives a week and a half ago, my ears were perfect- equalizing with no effort/needed a lot less often. This was after 3 weeks of using Sudafed as recommended.
Before coming to Iceland I saw a Dr about my cold, who said that ear was now clear of fluid and that my ears looked good, as I did have ear pain with my cold. This doctor said I could dive on Sudafed and my regular antihistamine. I did not take anything during my cold as I was hoping my body would deal with things (sweat it out!). This probably has resulted in some additional congestion due to not treating my allergies.

I can equalize my ears fine, but realize the equalizing click when swallowing is happening as the aftermath of my cold and flying.

Can I make my dive, so long as I can equalize/don't feel pressure?

Thanks!

 

[northernone]

Only personal experience:

I dive when clicking, in fact that has been the case for the last 3 days.

If the Dr is saying your ears are clear and you equalize fine I don't see an issue.

On a related caution: if you have some difficulty equalizing I'd suggest being prepared for the possibility of a reverse block returning to the surface. Instead of the normally effortless ascent you may require careful equalizing again as you end the dive. Be aware that is a rarity that does happen. Descending/Ascending slowly helps and let your buddy know you may be prone to equalizing issues.

Enjoy Iceland diving!
Cameron

 

[Wishforwings]

Thank you for the great reply, though I'm a little bias since you said what I wanted to hear, haha. Exactly what I was looking for though, someone with a similar experience who is more experienced. I will always have considerations with my ears due to my allergies, but I was so elated to see it getting better with my last 2 dives- definitely head over heels for diving.

I will do my best to control my poor beginner/ drysuit buoancy , keeping reverse squeeze in mind. Peak buoancy performance is definitely my next course.

 

[Landau]

I've had a minor cold and stuffed head a few times before diving. I've always been able to do a test equalization at the surface though and since it worked I dove. In both cases everything was fine.

Pack a warm hat for Silfra - when I was there six weeks ago I saw lots of shivering divers. I didn't dive it myself as this trip was with my wife and she is not a diver.

Off topic but to warm up afterwards I recommend Icelandic Street food - Laekjargata 8, Reykjavik 101, Excelent fish or meat soup in a bread bowl

 

[fmerkel]

You have a lot invested, so you are probably going to try. For a 'regular' dive it probably would not be worth the risk.
At this point don't hold back on medication support. Take your antihistamines, and steroid nasal spray if you have it. You can take a bit more nasal steroid than suggested for a short while.
The day of the dive take sudafed and Afrin about 30" before the dive. Might even be worth doubling up on the Afrin for a single dive.
THEN, descend slowly and carefully, paying close attention to your clearing. Make sure your buddy and party knows the issues.
If you lock up, ascend until you can clear again, then slowly make another attempt.
Abort if you can't clear. Blowing your ears is not worth any dive.

 

[Wishforwings]

I have never heard of afrin other than on Google searches related to diving and allergies. I am not sure we have it in Canada. I have "nasonex" as perscribed by my doctor. My plan would be the antihistamine areius(Desloratadine) and nasonex after neti pot.

 

[fmerkel]

Nasonex = mometasone, a nasal steroid. It would be the equivalent of [Flonase] in the US. Start using it....now. Anti-inflammatory, no rebound. Slow acting.
Afrin = oxymetazoline, an over the counter, fast acting, 12 hour nasal spray decongestant. Use it about an hour before a SINGLE dive. It wears off and has 'rebound'. This should be available in Canada.....I think. It's not a 'big deal' drug. Any fast acting nasal decongestant would work.

Desloratadine is a metabolite of Loratidine, which is an over the counter antihistamine in the US. Yes, start using it immediately. It takes awhile to take full effect like the Nasonex. This is more important if you have allergies and it's allergy season.

Neti pot or any kind of nasal saline rinse > good! Flush out the garbage.

 

[Landau]

In Canada "Dristan Nasal Mist" = oxymetazoline hydrochloride (just getting over a cold so I have a bottle handy) - in Iceland ask a local pharmacist.

Same for the other medications. In the last 20 years or so I've had a completely stuffed nose and been able to get the local equivalent of Dristan in Costa Rica, Mexico and Italy successfully. None of those were diving vacations but the conversation with pharmacist was always interesting and I usually got a few great restaurant recommendations thrown in.