Problem with gf's ears
- Thread starter rally
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
Have her go to an Ear Nose and Throat specialist and see if there is any medical problems. If not, have her practice clearing her ears at home or work throughout the day and get them conditioned to it. Good Luck!
devolution365
Contributor
Up until my recent re-introduction to diving I was the same way. I dreaded flying, and often just forced myself down despite the pain when I did my open water dives or when freediving. I've since learned better...
I talked to the instructor when I did my refresher and took the "clear early and often" advice that everyone recommends to heart. I start the day before, clearing every now and then to get my ears (and me) used to it. The day of the dive I try to clear as often as I remember. An hour before the dive I take a decongestant (may not need it anymore, but scared to stop taking it). I clear before going under and then appx every other breath -the important thing is to clear BEFORE you feel the pressure. If you feel pressure (or especially pain) it's too late -you have to go up a few feet and try again.
Eventually you get used to it. Also, the more you worry the harder it is. There's also a lot of good information including different techniques for clearing your ears here:
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/MEbaro.html
For me it takes one technique to clear my right ear, and another one to clear the left. Odd, but whatever works, right?
I talked to the instructor when I did my refresher and took the "clear early and often" advice that everyone recommends to heart. I start the day before, clearing every now and then to get my ears (and me) used to it. The day of the dive I try to clear as often as I remember. An hour before the dive I take a decongestant (may not need it anymore, but scared to stop taking it). I clear before going under and then appx every other breath -the important thing is to clear BEFORE you feel the pressure. If you feel pressure (or especially pain) it's too late -you have to go up a few feet and try again.
Eventually you get used to it. Also, the more you worry the harder it is. There's also a lot of good information including different techniques for clearing your ears here:
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/MEbaro.html
For me it takes one technique to clear my right ear, and another one to clear the left. Odd, but whatever works, right?
Similar threads
