r ear is blocked after diving, what can i do,

[sambucca7]

i just had my first open water dive, my second dive is tomorrow but my r ear is blocked. i think with water. maybe not. what can i do? can i dive tomorrow or will i have to wait until it clears thanks

 

[ScubaRon]

If it is water and it is in your outer ear, you can try to position your head so that your ear is the lowest point: the idea is to let gravity do its work. Or roll a small piece of toilet paper into the shape of a matchstick and very carefully put this in your ear. Do not exert any pressure: the idea is to get the paper to absorb (a tiny bit of) the water.

By the way: if it is just water in your outer ear it shouldn't keep you from diving again tomorrow: under water you won't notice it.

If your ear hurts you should check with your dive instructor!
ScubaRon

 

[Bob3]

"Fullness" of the ear can be a middle ear problem, try some decongestants right away & see if that doesn't help. I use 12 hr Sudafed but your mileage may vary.
There may be some excess ear wax in there, try a 50 - 50 mix of peroxide & vinegar, let soak for 5 minutes & repeat.
If it doesn't clear up, you may want to sit out. Diving with a messed up ear will only make things a lot worse.

welcome to the board, by the way.

 

[scubasean]

I vote for earwax...Its a common problem, and easily taken care of.

Buy an earwax removal kit.

If the problem persists, see a doc, cuz I'm not one.

Sean

 

[sambucca7]

thanks for all the info, already took the decongestion, shall try the paper in the ear and the vinegar mix. i guess if all fails i'll have the sit the dive out for another time

 

[scubasean]

sambucca7 once bubbled...
thanks for all the info, already took the decongestion, shall try the paper in the ear and the vinegar mix. i guess if all fails i'll have the sit the dive out for another time

If you can equalize but can't hear well out of the one ear(and don't have a blown drum...), I'm not sure what else could be causing this other than earwax...I've had that exact problem, and dove with it....

But, I am not recommending you do so. I'm just saying it takes alot for me not to dive. Use intelligence and caution.

 

[O-ring]

When I first read this thread, I thought you made a spacing error and the subject line was:

"rear is blocked after diving, what can I do"

My mistake, but a funny one nonetheless..