Front Beach 6/4

[Tug]

Today I went for a few dives with mello-yellow off of Front Beach in Rockport. We went in around high tide and dove the left side past the point. The temperature at a max depth was 50, and the visibility was around 10-15 feet. There were a bunch of bugs, but unfortunately all of them were small. We also saw a skate and a legal flounder. All in all an enjoyable morning underwater.

 

[mello-yellow]

Well, first dive was enjoyable. Second one certainly was not enjoyable for me, and I suspect was boring for you

Here is what happened. I descended to the bottom at 16' without problems, looked up and saw that Lewis was having problems. Came back up, helped Lewis untangle (flag line wrapped around something or other), began descending again... and could not equalize my right ear.

I spent next 15 minutes slowly drifting between 8'-12' trying to equalize, while Lewis seemed to explore the area in our immediate vicinity (okay, maybe it was not THAT boring for you!). Eventually I gave up and we headed back to Front Beach. Very frustrating, especially considering I got to the bottom without problems the first time. How do ear problems occur like that all of a sudden?

 

[dave4868]

Well, first dive was enjoyable. Second one certainly was not enjoyable for me, and I suspect was boring for you

Here is what happened. I descended to the bottom at 16' without problems, looked up and saw that Lewis was having problems. Came back up, helped Lewis untangle (flag line wrapped around something or other), began descending again... and could not equalize my right ear.

I spent next 15 minutes slowly drifting between 8'-12' trying to equalize, while Lewis seemed to explore the area in our immediate vicinity (okay, maybe it was not THAT boring for you!). Eventually I gave up and we headed back to Front Beach. Very frustrating, especially considering I got to the bottom without problems the first time. How do ear problems occur like that all of a sudden?

Tough break, but that also happens to me, especially during pollen season when it seems my eustacian tubes are more prone to getting irritated or plugged after coming to the surface or equalizing a couple of times.

If I use the over-the-counter allergy medication, chlorpheniramine, I'm much less prone to the problem. In fact, it usually allows me to not need to use the valsalva/nose pinch at all during the dive, even after a brief ascent to the surface.

YMMV, of course, and any medical advice on the internet is always suspect.... but the medication has no ill effects for me, only positive effects....

Dave C

 

[sunapeebob]

I had exactly the same problem in NH last Sat. First decent fine, then no go on one ear. I waited on the surface and watched my son move along a shallow area. After 10 minutes, I was able to decend and equalize. Second dive, same thing - one decent fine, then the other ear acted up. Ok about 5-10 minutes later. I think that allergies have been bad this year. I also take an OTC agent to help, but had forgotten to do this last week. Sunday, my son and I are planning a little Cape Ann trip, so we will scoping things out. Hope to see some of you out in the water!

Bob