Nose Bleeds??

[mred]

I have this occasionally ... it is no big deal ... I think I cause mine at times when I have trouble equalizing ... never thought about the dry nose problem ... that might also actually be my problem ... hmmmmm

 

[eric1979]

I was wondering if this would more than likley be a really bad thing in a dive where sharks were invloved...Scarry!

 

[Quero]

Yes, do see an ENT if you haven't already. You say it happens as you are ascending, which might make it a reverse sinus squeeze. One of my dive buddies had this bloody-mask-on-ascent condition a lot, and I read a suggestion somewhere that equalizing on the way up might help prevent it. This technique worked for my buddy--no more blood since he started doing that. Another suggestion I read in that same "somewhere" was to press your tongue against the roof of your mouth as you equalize to slightly change the shape of your sinuses so that no air gets trapped in some little pocket.

 

[scubagirl65]

Yes, do see an ENT if you haven't already. You say it happens as you are ascending, which might make it a reverse sinus squeeze. One of my dive buddies had this bloody-mask-on-ascent condition a lot, and I read a suggestion somewhere that equalizing on the way up might help prevent it. This technique worked for my buddy--no more blood since he started doing that. Another suggestion I read in that same "somewhere" was to press your tongue against the roof of your mouth as you equalize to slightly change the shape of your sinuses so that no air gets trapped in some little pocket.

Yes, I have heard this b4 - and sometimes but not always I get a tooth squeeze which leads me to suspect a reverse block. the only way i can equalize is to swallow sometimes - but i am definatly going to try the tongue on the roof of my mouth.

I mean how can I eventually teach scuba if i keep coming up with blood in my mask - I mean its not a thing i would of wanted to see from my OW instructor.

I am also in the process of "quiting" smoking - maybe this has something to with it - the smoking - not the quiting

I actually thought that I should go and get the atomic black mask - maybe that is a temporary solution -

thanks fellow divers - i dont feel so alone - the funny thing is i have never had a nose bleed until i started diving - mmm oh well whats a little blood loss - ITS DIVING!!!

 

[mamashark]

I had the same problem...and occationally still do. It is from coming up to fast (the last 20 feet). I equalize constantly the last few feet, and come up VERY slow. It has solved my problem anyway.

 

[SmileMon]

What about oxygen exposure? if you're exposing yourself too much to oxygen that might cause it.

I doubt it, but its one more thing to think about..

 

[DandyDon]

I think it's still an equalizing issue, which leads to bleeding only above 35 ft. Decongestants and antihistamine help some, but take them without diving first. It all gets better with practice and conditioning. Slower ascents could well help, too. Always a good idea. Major pressure change from 35 ft.

 

[boulderjohn]

I, too, believe it is an equalizing issue.

It could be that you are getting a sinus squeeze, in which blood and other fluids enter your sinuses because of the unrelieved pressure. When you ascend and all the pressure is released, the blood leaves the sinuses and flows out through the nose.

 

[D_O_H]

For me, it's not an equalizing issue. My ears clear easily both coming up and going down - I seldom even have to pinch and blow. I just get nosebleeds at random, which sometimes happens to be when I'm under water.

 

[rakkis]

More often than not, it's because you are pinching your nose too hard, thereby breaking the capillaries.