Oiy my ears!

[Magan]

Hello! My name is Magan and Im 23. New to diving as well as the forum. Just moved to Virginia a few weeks ago from Michigan and with the ocean being 10 minutes away I wanted to try something new! Did a quick free intro class at my local dive shop today and it was a lot more work than I expected and thats just in a 10 ft pool! I respect you all a lot. I'm now inspired and challenged and I cant wait to begin my certification classes. Its been a few hours now and my ears are STILL throbbing, hope I get used to that! :biggrin:

 

[stairman]

Dont forget the earbeer! 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 rubbing alcohol. Welcome to a great hobby.

 

[swander]

Welcome to the forum and scuba. Hang in there it will be worth it!! Your going to love diving.

Steve

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Did they teach you how to equalize and put pressure back into your ears? As you descend you must constantly do this or you could blow your ear drums.

You can do so by gently squeezing your nose and then give little blow through your nose. Don't do it too hard. I usually hear a little tiny squeal when I do it. I need to equalize in just a couple of feet of water. Equalize early and often.

When I first started diving, it really stressed out my ears. I practiced equalizing several times a day on dry land to condition my ears. Here is some additional methods and info
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/diving-medicine/356456-ear-problem-pain.html

I have also found that rinsing my nose has helped. You can read about that here:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...everyday-feeling-good-anybody-else-doing.html

http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/ Welcome to Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

Scuba diving and snorkeling can be fun ways to explore the depths - especially if you can clear your ears as the pressure changes. In this video lecture Dr. Edmond Kay discusses techniques for preventing middle ear barotrauma. Learn what to do to equalize pressure in your ears, teach others proper techniques and learn the safest way to prevent "ear squeeze".

 

[Magan]

Thanks for the welcomes! Thanks for all that info too that will be quite helpful!! I figured you could 'pop' them like on an airplane. Ruptured eardrum does NOT sound fun. Just goes to show not having the proper information can really make for a bad experience with something that could be so fun and rewarding.

 

[swander]

You will get to where you can do it by moving your jaw from side to side. Just do it often and if the pressure is to great, go back up aways and equalize before continuing down.

Good Luck

 

[jon1]

You should be equalizing before you actually feel the pressure. I'm surprised they didnt make that one of the first things they taught you in your intro class.

 

[DandyDon]

"Its been a few hours now and my ears are STILL throbbing..." That's not a good sign. See https://health.google.com/health/ref/Ear+barotrauma Hope it doesn't become painful.

The video linked about is very helpful: Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page Good luck on pursuing the sport.

 

[Magan]

Im happy to report zero ear pain today. I can see how that can happen so easily though! Wish I was informed of it immediatly since I can actually open my ears pretty easily Ive found on airplanes without swallowing or blowing or anything. I dont know how to explain it other than tensing the back of my throat like how it feels when you yawn, and I hear a small static sound in my ears. Is that 'clearing your ears'? But yea I didnt know if would be a concern on such a shallow dive until now.
I love this forum already! Im a control freak and a perfectionist so its wonderful to be able to compare the opinions and experiences of thousands instead of just take the advice of one instructor as God.

 

[DandyDon]

Great to hear it wasn't a more serious injury. There's really not that can be done for a barotrauma other than allowing the body to heal, altho decongestants and analgesics can help. Swimmer Ear infection can be treated, but it's best to prevent that with the alcohol-vinegar mix suggested above. Suggestions on mixes vary some, but generally equal parts of 50-90% alcohol and white vinegar work well. I rinse my ears after every dive and ever shower of a dive trip.

We learned equalizing from WWII pilots who often changed air pressure quickly, and NASA has done extensive studies for their astronauts as well as their practice pool divers. The discomfort we can acquire in an airliner comes from changes of 14.696 psi at sea level (most cities are close to that) to 10.91 psi in a pressurized cabin at altitude, but in diving we can change from 14.7 psi to 29.4 descending only 33 feet. Indeed, the first 15-20 ft is the most difficult.

Check out our New To Diving forum, as well as Ear threads in our Dive Medicine forum. Have fun...