Reverse Valsalva

[chippers_15001]

I agree, that was a great article about ear clearing. All of the usual clearing methods don't really work for me, although the method i usually use is breathing in a swallowing, and descending feet first of course. Maybe I will try the Afrin thing first. i just don't want to hold up my buddy and waste air with this problem.

 

[munkispank]

hey chippers, if they are a good buddy they wil understand- and anything is better then ear problems- I am a huge sufferer. I alwasy take a long time descending and pratice gently a couple of days befroe travel.
I am considering the pro-ear mask too, but don't know if it helps clearing, or just helps to prevent infection by keeping water out of your ear- any comments anyone- Dawn, did you find it helped ot clear?

 

[chippers_15001]

I have researched a good bit on this mask. They have their own web site by the same name, ( it is very expensive on their site 169.00, found what I believe is the same thing on another website for 49.00). It explains a lot. Go to the website for a better explanation, but it does help in clearing due to the fact that you are equalizing the pressure right outside the ear, or something like that. Thanks for the note. By the way my buddy told me the same thing "that's what buddies are for", I just worry tooooo much.

hey chippers, if they are a good buddy they wil understand- and anything is better then ear problems- I am a huge sufferer. I alwasy take a long time descending and pratice gently a couple of days befroe travel.
I am considering the pro-ear mask too, but don't know if it helps clearing, or just helps to prevent infection by keeping water out of your ear- any comments anyone- Dawn, did you find it helped ot clear?

 

[munkispank]

There you go- what a nice buddy!!!

I'm seriously considering the pro-ear mask- theri website does explain it quite well, but I don't know how much of that is hype? A number of other threads on this board have mentoned that the mask in not that comfortable and most peopel use it as a secondary.
But I might give it a try to see. I am probably goign to wind up gettin it online as non of the LDS near me stock it- and I imagine that as it is a single version then it will ehtier fit or not.

happy diving

 

[lamont]

Does anyone know how to do a reverse equalization, kind of a reverse valsalva technique? I have absolutely no problems equalizing on descent, in fact I'm one of the rare folks who ears tend to do it naturally without much assitance. But when I am ascending it takes a while for my ears to adjust and often one does it before the other resulting in vertigo. Any suggestions?

I can do a reverse valsalva just by holding my nose and trying to suck air in instead of blow it out. I couldn't do it initially when i started scuba diving, but practicing on a daily basis helped (but don't overdo it or else your tubes might get irritated). Haven't had to do it while diving, haven't experienced a reverse block while coming up yet...

 

[SeanQ]

Another thing to try is pinching your nose, closing your mouth and swallowing. I find this works well when trying to clear your ears.

 

[Mako Mark]

I first heard about reverse valsalva years ago while eavesdropping on two DM candidates that had nothing better to do than learn the encyclopedia by heart. I can remember thinking at the time, "yeah, that is about as useful as a reverse butt burp"

I have found myself once using it though, I had a blockage that was painful, held the nose and then stretched the neck and jaw on the affected side until the whole eusteacian tube was straightened and then the pressure released.

 

[chippers_15001]

My ears have trouble coming up also. I need to remember to take time and let them equalize. pinching my nose, taking in air and then swallowing is usually how I descend and ascend. I usually end up burping alot afterward. HA HA.