Nose Bleeds??

[scubagirl65]

Hi

So since i have been certified as an advanced diver - i have a bloody nose on surfacing - it happens between 38ft - 25ft. I have gone to numerous doctors have been tested for allergies, sinus x-rayed, nose & ears scoped- nothing - doc keeps clearing me to dive. Upon ever surfacing I have a small amount of blood in my mask. Sometimes I actually have to clear my ask before even surfacing.

Some people think i am not equalizing properly, but i am equalizing every few feet.

any suggestions??
Thanks

 

[BiggDawg]

Hi

So since i have been certified as an advanced diver - i have a bloody nose on surfacing - it happens between 38ft - 25ft. I have gone to numerous doctors have been tested for allergies, sinus x-rayed, nose & ears scoped- nothing - doc keeps clearing me to dive. Upon ever surfacing I have a small amount of blood in my mask. Sometimes I actually have to clear my ask before even surfacing.

Some people think i am not equalizing properly, but i am equalizing every few feet.

I've dived with two buddies who had the same issue. Oddly, both were female. Too small of a data set, to be sure, but could this at all be gender-specific?

One was a week-long live-aboard cruise. She would have a bloody nose every time that she came up.

The other is my sister-in-law.

First, make sure that your speak to an ENT (Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist) to make sure that there is no physical issue that needs care. Make sure that your ENT knows about diving, as well.

If that is not the case, then second, make sure that your nasal passages are not too dried out. Dry nasal passages can aggravate a propensity toward nosebleeds. You can get some over-the-counter saline in a nasal spray just for this (I forget what it's called, but it's in a white bottle with orange top, in the pharmacy section). The day before you dive, start making sure the membranes in your nose are hydrated. And, while it is obvious there is water all around, remember that breathing compressed air actually dries out your breathing passages.

After that, it may just be a case of you have thin membranes in your nasal passages. It may be something you might have to live with. It hasn't hurt either of my friends in ten years, but it sure scared them the first few times.

Good luck!

 

[grumpymedic]

Hey Scuba girl.. It is not a gender thing. My nose was bleeding on every one of my OW dives. I think my nose was to dry and I was clearing my mask with to much force causing my nose bleed. I went to see my doc and she said it is not a problem unless I have a large amount of bleeding. I also had trouble with my left ear and the blood was coming from my left nostril so in my case it might of also had something to do with my ear. I plan to dive next week and will clear real easy and see if that doesn't help. Good Luck and be safe.

 

[Gary D.]

After that, it may just be a case of you have thin membranes in your nasal passages. It may be something you might have to live with. It hasn't hurt either of my friends in ten years, but it sure scared them the first few times.

Good luck!

I've been living with this for nearly 60 years. It's no big deal and you get used to flushing the mask.

Gary D.

 

[ThatsSomeBadHatHarry]

that has happened to me once on a night dive...terrible vis, first time with a flag, 2nd night dive. all this led to me equalizing too HARD and fast and getting a nosebleed. as long as i take my time with the equalization, i have no problem.

 

[Scuba St3ve]

I have that problem. I think mine was caused by dry nose iv been using saline solution to try and stop the nose Bleeds, try it before the dive.

 

[D_O_H]

My nose easily bleeds (when diving or otherwise), so I've had more than a few underwater nosebleeds. No harm in it as far as I can tell - just flush the blood out periodically until the bleeding stops.

I have to say, I did not realize the green viscous liquid filling my mask was blood the first couple of times it happened - kind of a freaky experience to have your vision being obsured by something that looks like thick green paint.

I don't think I figured it out until one happened to continue through the end of the dive and my green blood magically turned back red upon nearing the surface.

 

[BiggDawg]

I have to say, I did not realize the green viscous liquid filling my mask was blood the first couple of times it happened - kind of a freaky experience to have your vision being obsured

Remember the words a doctor told me (in a different scenario): "A little bit of blood goes a long way!" When mixed with water, that is doubly so.

Point is, blood always looks worse than it really is.

 

[Scuba St3ve]

just think of it as mask defog

 

[fda483]

I cured it by getting a black mask - now no one ever notices it.