My Ears??? Why??? I Need I Want!

[Scuba Dooba 12]

I have dove a few times with my brother. One dive we went to 55ft It took him 20 sec to get down to the bottom. It took mme to 2 min. That entire dive he didn't have to touch his nose to equalize. It get very annoying fo me when I have to Equalize with my hand every time I go down 3ft when I'm doing somthing else like touching somthing or watching my gauges or fittiling with my boyency. To Top it all off He brags at evry dive that He can equalize that way and I can't.

SO MY QUESTIAN IS. HOW DOES HE DO THAT!. And How can be able to do that.

Can I get surgery later on in life? Do FFMS work? Would a dive Helmet work? Are their nose plugs or somthhing. Can some one help me please.

 

[wreckchick]

I am one of those who can equalize without touching my nose during descent. I can try and give you my method but I can't guarantee it will work for you. Before I do, however, let me say that I've dove with some very experienced, great divers that still have to hold their nose to equalize. It's not anything you should worry about or be embarrassed about at all.

I read you post and tried to figure out how I do it and here's the best I can come up with: when you swallow think of pulling your ears back toward the back of your head. I can do it sitting her at the computer, so I think if you do it you'll know.

If you can't, it's not a big deal. I've read elsewhere that if you equalize before you even go under the water that helps. You might want to try that as well.

Hope that helps!

Rachel

 

[Sea Biscuit]

There's a good likelihood that your brother's Eustachian tubes are simply easier to open than yours. Anatomy differs from one person to the next. But if you're interested in trying to learn a few tricks to equalize besides holding your nose, check out Prevention of Middle Ear Barotrauma. One of the best bits of advice is to start as soon as you begin your descent, before you feel any discomfort.

 

[memphisluvr]

Possibly the method he's using is the one described above. I think I know what he's referring to, but I choose to describe it as pushing my jaw forward and the root of my tongue down.

You can also do almost the same thing by pushing the root of your tongue down alone. It's closely related to the jaw method, really the same thing, just not as much movement.

I'm guessing that telling you that I can equalize just by looking up a little bit isn't a good idea, huh? When I first started diving, I wondered what the big deal about equalizing was because I would often equalize without doing anything and even before I realized it was needed.

I know bragging isn't nice, but if you knew the problems I had learning to get neutral due to the bum of an instructor that taught me, you would forgive me. At least equalizing is something I could do well.

 

[Scuba Dooba 12]

I tried what you guys seid and what that DOC ear website seid. My mom seis that I look like I'm having a heart attack at the comp when I try and do these manouvers. I hear a crackling noing when I try and move ears back and swallow, But It doesn't equalize. My DR dives... Should O talk to him about it? Is their like a plug for my mask I can get? Because If I close my nostrells 1/2 of the way and blow out my nose hard. It equalizes. So I was thinking what If I had a nose plug closing my nostrills 1/2 way so air could still get in my mask when the plug is on my nose. Althou the mask mite fog up.

This realy ticks me off. I like diving more then my brother. I have studdied more then him. I want to go to higher levels like Rebreather and Dive master, But He has the better bodie for diving:upset: ! Last night we went to the pool it was 14ft deep we can both hold our breaths for about 1 min under water. Every time we come to the surface " I didn't touch my nose!" comes out of his mouth. Every time!

I don't know what to do... Should I keep practising some of the manouvers. Should I buy a peice of eqipment that will help me. Is their somthing the DR :doctor: can do to my ear?

I'm going to the pool tonight. Any thing I should try while I'm their?

 

[CBulla]

I have been on a dive with a guy who was a retired commercial diver.. he popped in a peice of hard candy before every dive.. kept his mouth from going dry (always salavating) and made it easy to equalize since he was swallowing.

 

[Raven C]

My advice to you...

blindside sucker punch your brother the next time he teases you, and look for a better dive buddy.

Next, be patient, go slow and don't push the issue until you do equalize. Next check your gear. There may be issues with your gear that affect your equalization. Example. Where do you wear your mask strap? If you have it too tight and in the wrong place it may cause you trouble in equalizing. Also, my originial dive instructor told me to use sudafed before diving, I do and it works. I don't take it everytime, but most everytime and typically when I do, I do not have issues with that. When I don't I may or may not take longer to equalize. It's a toss up. Try using several methods of clearning your ears not just one.

Good luck and don't forget to hit him and hard. R

 

[Scuba Dooba 12]

Well... He is 14, and he is 5ft 11in. I don't think I'll hit him. He'll just sit on me.

Back to the consern.

I can already equalize by pinching my nose and blowing. I can't equalize with out using my hands. I can equalize write hear at the comp. I can see why not using wour hand while equalizing is a plus. When your descending you usally have your hand on the inflater hose and watching your gauge. When you go up over a rock or somthing and then come back down 3ft you have to equalize again. I just found out that I can with out using my hands reverse block. I can but my tounge down all the way and inhale hard threw my nose. I feel my ear drum come in. I don't know if this is a plus?

I need I need, I want I want- to be able to equalize without my hand!;-0

 

[Raven C]

Since I am only 5 1 1/2 do you want me to hit him? LOL

Why is it so important not to use your hands? Are you planning on having them occupied so that you can't use your hands. Do what works and enjoy your dive. Don't worry about the rest.

 

[Scuba Dooba 12]

YES YOU CAN HIT HIM!

I am going to talk to my DR and keep practising some of the mavuvers. but for noe I'll stick to old pich nose and blow macouverut: . I wandere when their gonna come out with a helmet like the one in the movie ABYSS that you can use with a Rebreather. It is pressurized inside so you don't have to equalize. But ny the time you get all that stuff on. you mite as well be in a sub .