Berto
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DRY Suit all year long! :cold:
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I read the linked article about surfer's ear and it made me wonder about cold-water diving. I wear a hood for the not-yet-very cold water diving I've done (65º-70º), but I found that if I don't make holes in the hood over my ears then I have a hard time equalizing (the hood "seals" to my ears without the holes). So maybe the hood is/would not be not protecting me too well against surfer's ear (when I eventually dive in colder water).
But I wonder how necessary the wind component is? They seemed to emphasize cold AND windy, although then they did mention that divers were also susceptible (so how important is the wind component, really?).
Also: Do some people not have problems equalizing against a sealed hood?
@Blue Sparkle: How thick is the hood you are currently using? Does it fit well or too tightly?
I've never had any issues with my thick hood (7mm) sealing so tightly against my ear that it inhibits ear equalization.
Prior to initial descent, I do make sure that water has made its way into my hood and fills the outer ear canal. As long as water completely fills the outer ear canal, there won't be any air to contract/expand in response to ambient pressure.
There shouldn't be any reason to put holes in the hood over the ears. As you pointed out, this could cause more flushing in that area, which isn't desirable.
On the other hand, it is a good idea to have one or more vent holes at the top of the hood. Air can enter the hood via reg exhaust bubbles or, if the diver is wearing a drysuit, via a neck burp.