Saltwater vs Freshwater

[SteveDiver]

When diving in freshwater I have difficulty equalizing. I do not have this problem in Saltwater. With freshwater my head is full for at least three days. Whats up with this? Strange as it may be I will probably not dive in freshwater again. Maybe it has something to do with the salt (drying) and the density...Any thoughts?

 

[Don Burke]

When diving in freshwater I have difficulty equalizing. I do not have this problem in Saltwater. With freshwater my head is full for at least three days. Whats up with this? Strange as it may be I will probably not dive in freshwater again. Maybe it has something to do with the salt (drying) and the density...Any thoughts?

I would look at any temperature difference before salinity.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

There's a chance that the fresh water you were diving was at a higher elevation. Perhaps you had a sinus problem due to the change in pressure before you got in the water. Depending on the altitude, it is recommended that you wait for 24 hours after arriving at that elevation before diving to get acclimated

 

[devilfish]

When diving in freshwater I have difficulty equalizing. I do not have this problem in Saltwater. With freshwater my head is full for at least three days. Whats up with this? Strange as it may be I will probably not dive in freshwater again. Maybe it has something to do with the salt (drying) and the density...Any thoughts?

Did you adjust the amount of weight you have? Maybe you are overweighted for fresh, dropping through the water column too fast, and as a result can't equalize properly.

 

[tedwhiteva]

When diving in freshwater I have difficulty equalizing. I do not have this problem in Saltwater. With freshwater my head is full for at least three days. Whats up with this? Strange as it may be I will probably not dive in freshwater again. Maybe it has something to do with the salt (drying) and the density...Any thoughts?

The two most likely reasons are those above - overweighted or the temperature differential. If the fresh water is colder, are you wearing a hood? If so, be sure to let water inside the sides when you submerge.

 

[DandyDon]

One other possibility. I think you are more likely to incur an ear infection in freshwater. Even a minor one is going to cause problems, and you don't want to ever have the bad ones. Are you treating your ears with alcohol every day?

 

[DORSETBOY]

what were you like before you went in? Had you been run down before the freshwater dive? Poss you were not in good health before the freshwater dive and didn't really notice.

 

[Rick Inman]

With freshwater my head is full for at least three days.

Full of what? Mucus? Then, like others are saying, it is the environment where the water is, not the water itself, that is causing the problem. I doubt you are allergic to fresh water (although I've never dived in TX freshwater :11: .)
I know that the ocean air seems to clear my head somewhat.
I would suggest reading up on decongestants here on SB by doing a search.

 

[DORSETBOY]

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!

 

[SteveDiver]

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. I think my problem in freshwater is due to fatigue and possibly sinusitis. No problem here in Hawaii I just think the Texas air is full of pollen and mold spores. Unfortunently, I live in Texas! I will try diving in fresh water again to see if the issue arises again..