Rain runoff pollution warning(s)

[HBDiveGirl]

Sorry to hear you were sidelined with an ear infection, Adam. Painful, miserable, and it keeps ya outta the water. That completely suxxxx!

I'll second the recommendation from Da 'Bishop: When the water conditions are yucky, including heavy red tide, 70% rubbing alcohol has worked for me.

YMMV, but I surfed and sponged a ridiculous amount for 8 years ('fore I got smart enough to return to diving ...) and I had 2 painful outer-ear infections before I learned what worked for me.

70% EtOH in each ear as soon as possible after leaving the water (I carry a small squeeze bottle in my dive bag.)

I drop in plenty until it sits on my eardrum. Then tip my head and let it out. If I feel water still trapped against my eardrum.. I repeat.

I haven't had a single problem since I started this. I only do it when the water is ugly, or when I feel water trapped against my eardrum.

90% EtOH was too hot and stingy for me. (Commercial "Swimmer's EarAide")

The infamous 50/50 mix of vinegar and rubbing alcohol didn't work for me... I still got the second outer-ear infection.

I hope you're feeling MUCH better by now.

You were missed on Saturday, Adam.

So glad you'll be in trim to start Fundies lecture on Sunday, and back in the water the next weekend for water-class.

Have a great time, man!

Claudette

 

[wetrat]

We did miss you on Saturday Adam! Hope you're feeling better soon. Great advice HBDiveRN - I hear you work in the healthcare industry, in some kind of low pressure capacity.

 

[neophyte]

Well thanks, it's nice to hear I was missed. I sure missed everyone and everything that day.

I'll be trying your isopropyl suggestion, I picked up a little squeeze bottle Monday when I got my antibiotic prescriptions filled. I'm mending swiftly and will definitely be taking steps to avoid any sort of recurrence.

I can't wait to get back in the water, especially since I haven't even tried out the set of regs I finally purchased last week. I'm cleared Monday according to the Dr., so if anyone wants to dive between then and Friday when I head over to Catalina for Fundamentals, just let me know. I'm really looking forward to trying them out, so I'll find the time pretty much anytime, pretty much anyplace.

I can't wait for Fundamentals!

Thanks,

Adam

 

[dpbishop]

You might ask your Dr. for a prescription for Cortisporin ear drops. I use this when I've been diving or surfing a lot or in questionable water.

 

[limeyx]

I'm VERY new to California, and don't really understand what the appropriate response is to the sort of warnings that have been posted.

http://www.surfrider.org/socalwater.aspx


A few of us have (had?) a dive planned for tomorrow at Old Marineland. It's pretty late to still be trying to figure out whether or not I'm leaving the house at six tomorrow morning.

I can understand a closure, but a warning I'm just not sure how to handle. I'm a reasonably prudent sort, but not one who expects life to be sterile either. Do reasonable people disagree? Is there a way to get a feel for pollution levels ourselves when we get to where we're actually diving in the morning? Are there ways to mitigate any dangers involved (short of a drysuit and FFM, which I'm not about to run out and buy)?

Most of what I've learned about diving here in California has been from this forum. Anything anyone feels like saying would probably be news to me, and greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much,

Adam

Generally I've been ignoring them. If I grow a third arm, Ill be sure to let you know
Of course, the exception is if you can see raw sewage pouring down the beach. Then it's almost certainly not a good idea to go diving.