Nose bleeds after diving

[caymanmark]

I agree with the posts that I may not be equalizing masks. I tend to focus on equalizing my ears more.

Before I enter the water I see if I can equalize my ears - if not I don't dive
As soon as I enter the water I equalize my ears by grasping my nose and blowing until I can feel my ears pop. As soon as I submerge I also equalize in the same method. As I ascend (in the horizontal position) I begin equalizing. I notice the change in pressure around 10' and equalize more. If I feel pain I ascend a few feet until the pain subsides and I try equalizing again. Once I get past 30' the rest of the way is easy.

When I ascend I can hear my ear popping and sometimes my ears appear to be plugged. This is when I notice blood in mask. It has gotten better after each dive. I also notice a little of yellow mucous from my nose which clears up once I blow my nose. If I compare my first open water dive it has gotten much better.

 

[Bogie]

Slow down ascents, descents, adjust for mask squeeze.

Hope that helps.

 

[decimal86]

i had the same problem for my first 80 dives or so then it went away for good. i am conscious of the moment i hit the water, equalise, and slow descents and slow ascents.

 

[TSandM]

If you are having to blow hard to equalize, this can break small blood vessels in the lining of your nose and cause bleeding. I wonder if that's the issue, because you say, "If I have pain," and you should never have pain. If you equalize before you begin to descend, and every few feet as you go down, you should be able to equalize with a very gentle and brief pressurization of your nose.

Feeling that your ears are plugged on ascent is usually an indication that your equalization on descend has been too little or too late.

It is also possible that you have some kind of lesion in your nose or sinuses that is fragile and is being caused to bleed by the trauma of equalization.

I would say equalize more gently and more frequently and see if the problem resolves. If not, a visit to a physician who can do a thorough exam of your nasal passages might be in order.