Had problems equalizing on Tuesday, trying to figure out if I can dive Saturday

[m00dawg]

Howdy all!

I just completed by 11th dive on Tuesday and had a great time. It was at a lake and while the visibility was a bit low, for a lake it wasn't bad. I did have minor issues clearing after my first dive of the day. I think it was due to very minor congestion but enough to cause issues in my left-ear. Normally I can clear using my neck muscles or swallowing. But on subsequent dives I had to use the nose trick. It worked but took a bit more effort and I had to ascend a few times. After about 25 feet, it was much better, though.

After diving, I didn't have any noticeable issues with my left ear - no "tin-can" effect, pain or anything. I paid some attention that day to making sure I could hear all frequencies I normally do and didn't notice a difference. But I do notice that when swallowing or practicing my neck clearing, the "click" in my left-hear sometimes sounds more like a tom (drum) than my right. Not all the time, but sometimes. It doesn't bother me all that much, other than being a bit louder than my right ear. But I assume that means I did something due to clearing.

I've called DAN but am waiting on a call-back to see if they had suggestions. I'm concerned about diving Saturday. It's out to the ocean on a sunken ship and I've already paid my deposit, bought extra gear, etc. and am worried I might be risking things a bit too much? After my first dive on Tuesday, while I did have problems clearing, I was able to do so through subsequent dives making me think, so long as I am careful, I should be ok? A perk is I can see way better in the ocean than a lake so I was just going to take it slower on descent.

Thoughts?

 

[TSandM]

If you have no discomfort, no feeling of fullness, no crackling or bubbling noises, no muffled hearing, and you are able to pressurize your ears without difficulty, I doubt you did anything significant to your ear, and applying the usual criteria for deciding if you can dive (the ability to pressurize without difficulty, and no significant sinus congestion) should be fine.

 

[m00dawg]

No significant sinus congestion was my gotcha. I have very very little but I guess enough to cause an issue. That and I spent too much effort trying to keep up with my dive buddy who was descending faster than I could while trying to equalize.

I think so long as the congestion gets better before Saturday I should be ok, but I think the lesson for me is to always just tell my dive buddy I'm a slow descender and just take it slow and easy. Usually if I do that I'm in good shape but I think I was rushing it this time around, coupled with what I thought wasn't enough congestion to cause an issue.

Fortunately no pain or hearing issues that I can tell, so I think I'm good if I take it extra slow on Saturday. Either way, we'll see what DAN says when they call me back.

 

[Crowley]

minor squeeze -

you say you had a bit of congestion - also trying to follow a buddy who was descending too quickly for you to equalize in time... even a small amount of congestion is enough to cause difficulty equalizing, coupled with the rapid descent, results in middle ear or sinus squeeze - basically the various tubes get "bruised", potentially a few small blood vessels pop in the process, and a little bit of extra gunk gets forced into places it shouldn't be.

For sure this causes difficulty equalizing and it's something I see on a regular basis. Recovery time varies but 2-3 days out of the water is not unusual before normal service is resumed, although in a small number of cases it means no more diving for the vacation. If you have no discomfort generally, try gently equalizing by blowing against a pinched nose whilst you're sitting around at home. If your ears pop and there is no added discomfort during the process, then you'll probably be okay for diving.

Wait until you are free of congestion before you dive again, if you're still a bit blocked up, stay out of the water or you run the risk of making the whole situation worse. I know, because I did this once, whilst working, and my nose sort of - well - exploded - and then I couldn't work for a week. Okay my nose didn't really explode but what came out of it was kinda... hmmm... chunky. The fish had a field day eating it....

No need to worry unduly, just don't push it if you're not sure.

Cheers

Crowley

 

[m00dawg]

That's gross but certainly puts it into proper perspective, thanks

I think I'm going to go ahead and give the trip a go and just hope things are good by Saturday. I think my ears are ok (I can clear both at home) but it's the congestion I'm mostly worried about since it played a role Tuesday. Things are getting progressively better, so I think I'll be in good shape by then. If not, I guess I'll get to sit in the boat and watch from the surface :/

Better than exploded nose, I'd bet