Reg exhaust dispersal

[wader]

On a recent multi-dive trip, I had on occasion trouble with my exhaust. I was hoping for some feedback on how to correct this.
First off, I use an Oceanic Alpha 8. Simple, cheap and has been very reliable so far. I have trouble with equalizing some times, although I get better ever time I dive. Any rapid change in pressure/depth cause pain in my left ear.
So here is the problem: When I would exhale, the bubbles would move past my ear and cause extreme pain, to the point I would stop exhaling for a moment. I tried to pinpoint what would cause it and I think it was just the position of the reg in my mouth and the tilt of my head, etc.

Are there regs that would help prevent this? I don't want to spend a fortune, but considering the amount of pain it caused, it would be worthwhile for an upgrade. I like the Alpha 8 otherwise.

Thoughts/ideas?

 

[Zung]

Have you talked to your doctor?
I don't think your problem is gear related, but if you really want to, you can try a Poseidon; not my prefered type of reg, but it exhausts on one side, your choice.

 

[RJP]

Have you talked to your doctor?
I don't think your problem is gear related, but if you really want to, you can try a Poseidon; not my prefered type of reg, but it exhausts on one side, your choice.

Sounds like OP has an [-]g[/-]ear problem for sure.

 

[Couv]

Either the OP is one day late or should be asked in the Diving Medicine - ScubaBoard forum.

 

[Nemrod]

When I would exhale, the bubbles would move past my ear and cause extreme pain, to the point I would stop exhaling for a moment. I tried to pinpoint what would cause it and I think it was just the position of the reg in my mouth and the tilt of my head, etc.

Are there regs that would help prevent this? I don't want to spend a fortune, but considering the amount of pain it caused, it would be worthwhile for an upgrade. I like the Alpha 8 otherwise.

Thoughts/ideas?

Yes:

Aqua Lung Phoenix Royal Aqua Master

N

 

[wader]

not sure what you mean by one day late. I have been to an ENT. Ear are "normal", but very sensitive. I also have very tight E tubes in my ears, hence the equalization problem. Again, I am getting better with more practice.

 

[CPH]

I had a simalar problem. I used to use a Waterproof hood but now I am using a Scubapro hood and it fits a little tighter on the side of my face and stops bubbles from getting to my ear.
If you do not normally use a hood then maybe use a skinny hood. I use one in warm waters. It is juat a very thin hood that is basically to stop things like Jelly fish stings but I found it is also very good at keeping the bubbles away from my ears.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Yes, as CPH suggests, you are possibly overthinking it. You are not 100% clear but it sounds like you are diving without a hood. Adding a hood is a lot easier than changing regs - a solution where you'd potentially just to encounter the same problem.

You have three general options:

A full hood in 1/1.5mm, 3mm, 5mm or 7mm

A drysuit hood (no bib to tuck inside the wet suit) but probbaly only in 5mm, 7mm or thicker.

A partial aviator style hood, normally in 1.5 mm, 3mm or 5mm.

----

If that does not do it for you, then I'd also recommend a double hose reg set up for modern conveniences like an octo and power inflator diving. You have two basic options there:

1. An unbalanced DA Aquamaster or a balanced Royal Aquamaster with a hookah port adapter and a 3 port swivel adapter to provide LP air for the octo and inflator, and a banjo fitting to allow the use of an SPG.

2. A DAA or RAM with a Pheonix Royal Aquamaster (PRAM) conversion. It adds 3 high pressure ports and 3 low pressure ports to the DAA or RAM and uses newer Aqualung Titan balanced first stage parts.

I recommend the PRAM as buy the time you get done buying adapters, you spend almost as much as the PRAM conversion.

And it won't cost a lot more than a good high performance regulator. You can get a totally refurbished (all new soft parts and rechromed metal parts) DAA PRAM for about $700, or convert a serviceable DAA with new hoses, diaphragm, mouthpiece and valves for about $450-$500

 

[Nemrod]

It isn't just regulators apparently, in rehab from my broken leg, since I could not run or cycle, I upped my swimming distance from 3 to 5 a week to as much as 10 miles a week. The "exhaust" breath which I release underwater streams past my ears and is very noisy. I had noticed my ears ringing afterward (swimming) and was perplexed. Then it dawned on me, it was my bubble stream blasting my left ear mostly. I started wearing ear plugs and the ringing after swimming (rhymes) is gone.

Of course a scuba diver cannot use earplugs---RIGHT---so a hood or a regulator with a wide(r) exhaust Tee should help. See if they make a beanie with ear flaps, lol. In the olden times, women, wore swim caps even for diving, I hesitate to recommend one There is always my other solution, no, not the ear plugs.

If you look close, the lady at the cave entrance has on a white swim cap, with a flower on it:

N

 

[CPH]

Try this for a beanie style cap.
Cheap off on Henderson Microprene tropic cap: Thin neoprene beanie hat with chin strap | Diving Hoods