ost dive Ear drying solutions

[GSDMan]

I've also heard that urine works well, too.

Jim

 

[don Francisco]

The 50/50 mix works very well for most people. I find that alcohol tends to overdry or irritate my ear canal if I use it too often so I just use diluted vinegar. Others recommend adding upto 5% glycerin to either alcohol or diluted alcohol.

It isn't rocket science, blend from the ingredients below. Experiment until you find a mix that works for you.

vinegar for PH and to break surface tension
alcohol to speed drying
glycerin, to counter the iritation that pure alcohol causes for some people.

BTW- In countries around the Mediterranean, they been using olive oil to treat outer ear irritation and minor infections for a thousand years, and it still works.

 

[psychocabbage]

we have been using the Vinegar and alcohol all the time.. No problems at all.

 

[adjuster-jd]

There is also the domeboro solution formerly sold to Navy Seals (apparently no longer available under that name) but I think there is a generic - acetic acid / aluminum acetate solution (I think this is it).
Search some prior posts on scubaboard for the NDC number for this formula. It does require a prescription.

That having been said, I'm not sure this stuff is any more effective than the 50/50 vinegar/alcohol. Just another option to look at.

 

[adjuster-jd]

I also use the Sahara Dry Ear device. Kinda like a hair dryer for the ears. It's kinda pricey but I normally use that in the car on the way back from the pool to my dive center.

 

[jridg]

I also use the Sahara Dry Ear device. Kinda like a hair dryer for the ears. It's kinda pricey but I normally use that in the car on the way back from the pool to my dive center.

This is what I use as well - nice product and gentle - works great.

 

[JVM4.0]

We also us alcohol with a drop or two of olive oil in the mix. Works every time.

As far as earplugs go...........my wife usually has trouble equalizing on the first few dives on our trips. We asked a DM at Buddy Dive if he had any suggestions, and he told us about a certain brand of earplugs (I forget the name) that has a small hole in them to allow you to equalize, but is too small for water to pass through. Worked like a champ!

 

[adjuster-jd]

The plugs are Doc's Pro Plugs - they are vented ear plugs. There are several discussions of them on this board so do a search for Doc's Pro Plugs and you'll find the pros/cons of them.

If getting water in the ear is a big problem you could also consider the Pro Ear 2000 mask (if that is still marketed) which has some ear covers and a mechanism to equalize the air pressure.

 

[Jayde323]

I use the ear dryer too. I never really got any relief from using Swim Ear or any other alcohol/vinegar solution, so the dryer works great for me. They are a bit pricy, about $100, but when you think about it, what part of scuba diving is cheap?

 

[AlGator]

Yeah the Pro ear is still for sale on ebay and My problems come from really dirty river water. So I will check into both. Thanks!