Just in case...

[DeepSeaDan]

... not everyone may peruse the medical section regularly so I thought I'd pass along some advice I gave to "Mass-Diver" concerning the annoying problem of "water-in-the-ear-canal"

I can usually prevent water entering my ear canal by maintaining a neutral head position under the water. This allows the air in the canal to remain & prevent water from entering. Tilt you head to either side though & the air escapes the canal, allowing water to enter.

I make a considerable effort to keep the water out of my ear canals as I find it takes considerable time to drain back out, all the while subjecting me to that annoying "fullness" in the ear with resultant ( minor ) hearing impairment.

Anybody else use this trick?

Regards,
D.S.D.

 

[Ron Brandt]

I just equalize and rarely have a problem.

The only time I experience water-in-the-ear-canal is when doing assent skills with students and often do not equalize fully.

Ron

 

[James connell]

i have "dainty" out ear canals, water gets in and doesn't like to come out. used to get swimmers ear regularly until i mixed a solution of vinagar and alcohol and use it if they get filled. the vinagar prevents bactiria and the alcohol reduces the surface tension of the water letting it drain. a few drops in the plugged ear works great. 3/4 alcohol 1/4 vin. is the mix i like.

 

[Ron Brandt]

A friend of mine uses the alcohol and then a cap of hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria.

He dives contaminated water as part of his job.

Ron