Mask removal exercise requirements.

[Rachel17]

Hi
Question for my hubby.

Here's the situation ...

My husband has had ear problems since childhood and risks getting nasty ear infections if he gets any water in his ears. He finally discovered a mask which covers his ears and allows him to snorkel and dive without problems. However he's stuck doing try-dives because he cannot pass the Open Water Certificate without doing the mask removal exercise, which would obviously mean putting his ears at serious risk of infection. Obviously that's a risk he could accept in a real diving situation, if his mask were knocked off during a dive, but he's unwilling to do it for the sake of an exercise.
Is there any way it would be possible for him to do this exercise by removing the mask from his face while keeping the ear pieces in place? For example putting the mask on his forehead?
It seems a shame that he cannot dive because of one exercise, which there must be some way around. Especially as in every other way he's a very competent diver, much more at ease and in better control of his buoyancy than I (Advanced Open Water level) am.

I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Bent Benny]

There is a product Doc's Pro Plugs DOC'S PROPLUGS: VENTED EAR PLUGS
They are earplugs with a tiny vent on them so that they can be used for diving. These may be worth considering.

 

[AJ]

I suggest discussing this issue with an instructor. He has to show he is capable of clearing his mask. I don't think it really matters if he keeps his ears covered. But that's up to the instructor.

 

[Searcaigh]

I've had more than my fair share of ear infections in the past and also opted for a mask with ear covers.

I don't swim in pools anymore and if for any reason I have to test some dive gear in a pool I clean my ears as soon as possible.

About 5 years ago discovered this: Earol Olive Oil Spray-Nature's Best Pharmacy and just to add to the formulae I also have my own home made post dive treatment which is a mix of 75% alcohol and 25% white vinegar (personal variations exist )

I guess if the mask removal was done at the end of the training session and ears cleaned as soon as he surfaces the ear infection risk is minimised.

If Docs Pro Plugs were available where I live, I would have tried them too.

Good luck, I hope he can resolve this issue

 

[GreggS]

I can attest to how good the Dic's plugs work. I, too, suffer from ear infections from prolonged periods of having my ears exposed to water. I've been using them for 3 years niw and havn't had an infection since.

But since he already has the mask with ear protection, I agree with Aj that he should talk to his instructor and explain his situation. I would think they would be able to work something out.

 

[TMHeimer]

There is a product Doc's Pro Plugs DOC'S PROPLUGS: VENTED EAR PLUGS
They are earplugs with a tiny vent on them so that they can be used for diving. These may be worth considering.

I've used them and they work...to a point. Like a hood, they prevent water from going far into the ear, but some water does get in. I too used to be prone to ear problems, at times beyond just "swimmers ear"--mostly when I was much younger. My method for years now has been Q Tip out the ears (yes, I know many advise against it but I've been doing it after each shower for maybe 50 years), then after the dive I put in some ear drops which always gets rid of all the water in there.