My ears!!!

[Scuba Diver 03]

This past week me and my buddy went down to 40ft. I was touching my nose the hole way down! We were going up and over things and I had to equalize wich gets annoying! I over did my right ear and it still kinda hurts. My buddy dosn't even touches his nose for the hole dive and every stinking time we surface he seis. "I didn't touch my nose. He brags about it." I've wanted to be a scubadiver for a long time and just erliar this munth I got certified. I kust took my brother along. He didn't even like scuba diving. But his boddy is more built for it. I wish he would stop bragging or that I didn't always have to touch my nose. Just thought I would share

 

[GUNNER]

Just letting you know that your not the only one! I have the same problem, I am never able to equalize, I constantly have ear pain! Unless someone can come up with a new way that works for people like us, We will just have to deal with it and try to not hurt ourselves by damaging our ears! I will continue to dive either way!ut:

 

[Uncle Pug]

You gotta be able to do it to dive... either that or you are going to have some very shallow dives.

TIPS:

1) Equalize early and often. Try a valsalva move before you start your descent. Then every 5' before you start to feel any pressure or pain.

2) Stop at 5' and spend a few minutes. Stop at 10' and spend a few minutes. Stop at 15' and spend a few minutes.

3) Relax... especially important for cold water divers.

Don't worry about the folks that don't touch there nose. Some folks can equalize just by wiggling there jaw a little... others by swallowing. You can't... so what. I usually have to do a nose pinch.

 

[The Chairman]

1) Don't blow too hard! gentle is best and a huge pressure difference between the spaces will shut the Eustachian tubes off.

2) Don't wait! Equalize in the car on the way over... on the boat going out... then just before you start your descent... and even then every few feet after that.

3) Don't hurry! Be patient! As UP suggested, descend slowly! A descent line may be just the ticket here.

4) Don't look "down". Stretching your neck stretches your Eustachian tubes so extend that chin away from your chest.

5) Don't be stuck with one method! Learn different ones like the Frenzel or Toynbee; combine them if you have to!

6) Avoid milk and milk products. These increase mucous production.

7) Avoid alcohol and smoking! These irritate mucous membranes and encourage mucous production.

 

[coliseum]

No Offence Doc, but I think he is 13 years old...

Its great that you are taking on diving as a Hobby...

I suggest you go back to your instructor and get him to explain again how to equalize and maybe let him do another Open Water session with you...

Once you understand and know how it feels to properly equalize... you will be able to enjoy your dives and not focus on any pain in your ears...

Hope you get over with this...

 

[The Chairman]

Their ears work much the same as ours!!! AND... since this is in the medical section, let me remind the readers that I am NOT a medical doctor... I mend sick networks. My expertise comes from being a Scuba instructor, and that is mostly to kids in the 14-16 year old range.

 

[coliseum]

I was just referring to "7) Avoid alcohol and smoking! These irritate mucous membranes and encourage mucous production."

no worries....

P.S. cool job I guess.... I create or help people create networks!

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

Only recently has my wife stopped touching her nose. After you've been diving fairly steady it becomes easier. Some have it easier than others but where it was once difficult for my wife it's pretty easy. She can drop like a stone and just swallow and the ears open right up.

Do lots of diving

 

[Arnaud]

What matters is to equalize, not how you equalize. With practice, you'll do it without paying attention. Follow all the good advices posted above and avoid the up & down thing...