No more cold water diving for me...

[Greg Di]

After trying and trying to overcome the vertigo I get everytime I dive in cold water, I've been forced to concede to the physiological limits of my inner ears.

Any time I dive in water less than 70 degrees, the cold water enters my ear canals and throws my sense of balance for a loop. It's terrifying to get the spins at 90 feet, not knowing which way is up or down because the world is spinning so fast.

What kills me is that I've tried everything to get past this because I love diving. I even bought a drysuit thinking that it would help. It didn't. Ironically, I'm fine diving in warm water, so at least I can stick to that, but it's sure not convenient.

I've got my near new DUI CLX450 for sale over in the classifieds. I only got to use it for two dives at Dutch. I'd love to be able to hand deliver it to someone in our area who will appreciate it. In fact if you are a Wreck Valley diver, I would be willing to give you a deal on it. I'm located in Waldwick, NJ.

This is a sad realization for me and it sucks. It's kind of like admitting defeat which I don't like to do often, but I have a family and I can't rationalize taking such a big risk with getting vertigo down deep. I guess I'm just venting because you guys know what it's like when it's deep, dark and cold...

 

[H2Andy]

i think you are doing the smart and right thing.

it's not admitting defeat, it's realzing this is a battle you can't win
and walking away before you get hurt.

good call

 

[SeaCobra]

Have you discussed this issue with a real diving physician and/or DAN yet? There are some local ones that are very good. Email me at JeffH31903@aol.com if you need.

Best of luck,
Jeff

 

[scubadobadoo]

Best of luck Greg! I feel for you pal! Smart of you to step away for now. I hope you are able to resolve this problem in the future if that is ever possible or what you even desire to do. Take care and I hope you can continue to dive in warmer waters.

 

[Greg Di]

Have you discussed this issue with a real diving physician and/or DAN yet? There are some local ones that are very good. Email me at JeffH31903@aol.com if you need.

Best of luck,
Jeff

Yes. I visited a highly reccomended ENT specialist who is also a diver so he knows about diving-relating issues. He's concluded that I have very small eustachian tubes and air doesn't not readily escape from my inner ear when ascending. Under his direction, I have tried a variety of new approaches. They all help, but they don't make it go away. My biggest problem is losing sight of the bottom or sighting a wreck that is not oriented with the horizion. Basically, if I look at a wreck or bottom features that are not flat, or have a tilt to them, the vertigo triggers quickly. Likewise if I'm ascending without a line, my ears don't equalize correctly as I rise so I have to go extremely slowly. And without sight of a line to help me establish right side up, I have to "fly by instruments" and glue my eyes to the gauges hoping the whole time my vertigo doesn't trigger.

I've try the patch, pills, you name it.

 

[DrSteve]

Have you tried an "ice" hood. I too have ear problems, but the ice hood provides an extra layer of insulation and can keep the water out of your ears.

 

[airsix]

Two other ideas come to mind as well:

1) Viking dry-hood (what I dive). Warm, dry head.*
2) Mask with ear-pods (what are those called???) to keep ears dry.

-Ben M.

*Sometimes a little damp, but not usually. Always dry with full face mask.

 

[Spratman]

You gave it the old college try. If the options are not diving at all and only diving warm water....no brainer.

I don't know if they would help, but what about the Doc Pro Ears? Do they prevent cold water from hitting the ear drum?

Anyway, best of luck to you!