I Just did my first 2 dives, Need help urgently

[reptillion]

Hi, im new to the forums and i was wondering if anyone had any solutions to my ear troubles.

I did fine in the pool, and then on saturday we went to our locals quarry to do the four checkout dives. On saturday, i descended to 8 feet, doing valsalva every foot, but i could only clear my left ear, my right ear was not EQing so i couldnt go deeper than 15 feet, and only stayed there for 5 minutes then had to go up, and no luck on my second dive. On sunday i ignored the pain(against my SSI teachers request) after 20 feet, i was fine and just swam down to the platform. On my second dive i was also able to get down to 25 ish feet then i was okay, and i was going to do the other 2 dives but a thunderstorm came, so i have to do them at Cayman. Through this whole time my right ear did equalize once. Also now i feel like theres lotsa water in my right ear and a but in my left, and i tried swim ear, no luck. So can someone help me figure out how to equalize both ears so i dont hurt myself and ruin my cayman vacation. My first non training dive is scheduled for 100 feet so im kindof worried, but i got down to 40 okay, but it took me about 15 minuted to go down the first time, and 10 the second time. Also my left ear feels sore now.

Thanks
Ryan

 

[nereas]

It is best to clear your ears early and often.

Early here having the meaning of the day before. If they both won't clear then, it means you have a cold or flu and cannot go diving for awhile.

Then again on the drive to the dive site.

Then again as you walk out into the water.

Then on the surface just before you begin to descend.

And then about every 5 ft, until you reach your maximum operating depth (MOD).

 

[reptillion]

But my problem is that i have not been able to pressurize my right ear for the few weeks iv been into scuba. I know im not sick or anything, and my mom says her right ear never clears on the airplane. I have absolutely no problem with my left ear but the righ one doesnt work at all.

 

[stairman]

We all have trouble equalizing from time to time.It really sucks during training or while on a trip,or both.Dont try too hard or you can perforate your ear drum.Sinus problems or a slight cold or allergy are the usual culprit.You can make your own swimmers ear by mixing50/50 parts of isopranol alcohol[as a drying agent]and white vinegar[to restore the ph]use it before and after the dive and equalize early and often,Good luck!

 

[stairman]

oops,we were typing at the same time.I would go see a doctor and have him look in your ear.I know people who cant dive because they cant equalize.Hope thet isnt your case.

 

[misterguy]

i find if you tilt your head back as you try to clear helps but you need to start clearing at the surface and keep clearing as you desend

 

[Croomrider]

From your description it sounds to me like you may have already damaged your ear. You might want to get it checked out. Decending without equalizing is not something you should do. Also, 100ft deep on your first real open water dive? I would progress a little more slowly, especially in light of your current problems.

Mike

 

[Keith & Sharon]

No need to dive just to equalize, practice on the surface. Just hold your nose and equalize daily to exercise you tubes. It will make the next dive pleasant. Great trick that worked for me. If you can’t equalize on the surface, see a doctor.

 

[ruready7]

I had a prob with clearing ears cause of water temp (56 degrees). As said earlier tilt head back really far...it worked for me clearing.

 

[spectrum]

My first non training dive is scheduled for 100 feet so im kindof worried, but i got down to 40 okay, but it took me about 15 minuted to go down the first time, and 10 the second time. Also my left ear feels sore now.

Thanks
Ryan

You should be worried, that dive is way past your training and experience.

As for your ears, your instructor may have already helped yo injure yourself though "pain" is hard to evaluate on the net. The only logical reason to "ignore" not being able to equalize is if the instructor felt you were being a hypochondriac. Other than that you NEVER force your ears. It was up to you to say no, I can't equalize.

The root cause of your difficulty could be congestion, or some other treatable condition. Most likely it's just a lack of conditioning and practice. Equalize a few times each day. Also do so on the way to the dive site, when you arrive, when you get your gear on, when you get in the water, just before going under and on each breath while descending. Your tubes will respond better over time. You will also learn how to sneak up on them with just enough pressure to get a gentle release.

If you have a booked vacation coming up soon I suggest getting into an ear doctor or at least a generalist ASAP to make sure no real damage has been done.

Here is some other information that may be helpful.

Pete