Saltwater vs Freshwater

[Rick Inman]

I would suggest reading up on decongestants here on SB by doing a search.

Just don't use them, decongestants and diving don't mix!

Actually, I wouldn't listen to either of us . Go to Diving Medicine and see what the real medical experts have to say!

 

[kman458]

I have heard that you should not take decongestants before diving however my scuba instructor took a sudafed before diving. He has been diving for many years so whats up with that? I always pop a sudafed before diving and never had a problem.

the key to this is to make sure what ever you take will last the entire time you are underwater. the problems start when the meds wear off while you are underwater and can not equalise on the trip up. we got this for a couple of docs as my wife was having a problem similar to yours from the sound of it.

 

[DORSETBOY]

a dm friend of mine took decongestants to make a dive he really wanted to do, he told me that they wore off during the dive, on his ascent he suffered a ruptured ear drum.