Even with Sudafed still stuffy

[GetNarc'd]

Is it safe to say that even if one nostril has clear breathing as long as the other is still stuffy I won't be able to equalize... and/or transfer air through my Eustacian tube?

 

[CompuDude]

Look at it this way: At least you'll only have ONE blown ear drum!

 

[chrispete]

One thing you may want to try is Ocean Spray or something similar for a couple of days before you are supposed to dive. This may help out with keeping you clear for the dive(s).

 

[GetNarc'd]

Look at it this way: At least you'll only have ONE blown ear drum!

That's what I was getting at.. The reason I even bothered to make this thread was because i've had a couple people give me the line that it's not about your nose it's about your Eustacian tube. It was intuitive that since I used to my nose to aerate them then if I can't breath through one or both nostrils, I'm not going to inflate much of anything.

Thanks, that answers my question.



Ocean Spray?

EDIT: I don't know if this means anything to anyone, or if it's a symptom for something, but if I lay on my side that's opposite of my congested nostril, after a few minutes it will no longer be congested, and most often the congestion will go to the opposite nostril. I hope this is not a deviated septum, symptom???

 

[Diveral]

I have a Rhinocort pescription I use prior to a dive that pretty much clears up the sinuses.

 

[ScubaTexan]

Only you can know how your sinus passages are going to feel, so if you have any trouble at all in equalising, I would abort if I were you...

 

[H2Andy]

if I lay on my side that's opposite of my congested nostril, after a few minutes it will no longer be congested, and most often the congestion will go to the opposite nostril.

that happens to me too. i think (hope) that's normal

i can usually equalize even with a pretty badly stuffed nose. sometimes
i do have to call the dive (basically if i can't breathe through my nose),
but otherwise i'm good to go.

people are different, though, and i've been clearing my ears since childhood
(i grew up freediving and snorkeling in Cuba)

usually i can hear this "popping" noise in my sinuses when i am
stuffed up, which tells me i am ok. if i stop hearing that noise, i usually can't clear.

my problem is slightly different. on the way up, i can get dizzy real
fast if i am not careful.

 

[Lake Mead Tony]

My nose is usually stuffed up most of the time, but as soon as I hit the water it clears up. I have never had to call a dive due to equalization. I would try the dive, but don't hurt yourself if it won't clear.

 

[pasley]

Ocean Spray - A saline solution recommended for daily use to help prevent sinus infections and available at your local drug store.

Also talk to your ENT about Flonanse to help open the sinus and keep the stuffyness away. Works by helping attack the allergy issues.

Ditch the Sudafed. This is a vasel constictor and may have undesired side effects, and contribute to cold hands and feet. Claridin gets my vote.

Not a doctor, but an allergy suffer

 

[pasley]

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