Reverse ear squeeze?

[paulwall]

Is there anything I can do to resolve a reverse ear squeeze on ascent?

I had the misfortune of experiencing this painful condition after a relatively shallow dive. Rising above 10ft, my left ear hurt considerably. Dropping down past 13ft and equalizing made it stop, but it returned again no matter how slowly I rose from 13ft to 9ft. After about 6 of these 4ft trips, the ear finally cleared with no lingering effects, but I'd hate to go through that again.

Any tips on clearing a reverse squeeze, or should I just take it really, really slowly if it happens again?

 

[pipedope]

You don't want to push more air in there but the idea of going down to relieve the pressure and then come up slowly is good.
You can also reverse valsalva. That is, hold your nose and suck. This works sometimes.

Try also chewing, swallowing, head and neck movements, anything that might get the tube to open up.

For more information go to
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/
and watch the streaming video.

Depending on the depth, gas supply and any deco obligations you may reach a point where you just have to come on up. This can result in a ruptured eardrum but that is better than bent or drown.

 

[miguel sanz]

You don't want to push more air in there but the idea of going down to relieve the pressure and then come up slowly is good.
You can also reverse valsalva. That is, hold your nose and suck. This works sometimes.

Try also chewing, swallowing, head and neck movements, anything that might get the tube to open up.

For more information go to
http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/
and watch the streaming video.

Depending on the depth, gas supply and any deco obligations you may reach a point where you just have to come on up. This can result in a ruptured eardrum but that is better than bent or drown.

I agree 100%.
Did you have a cold, even minor?
Ah! the equalizing problems are always more frecuent in shallow water since it´s there where the bigger pressure changes take place

 

[creamofwheat]

What's with left ears and equalizing? I had problems with my left ear, my buddy had problems with her left ear. How bizarre.

Anyway, I'm no expert or anything, but you did good, I think...descending a couple feet then ascending slowly.

Pipedope, thanks for the tip on "reverse valsalva". I should remember that one.