Angie,
I'm sorry to hear you're having difficulty. I would never recommend medication without the approval of your doctor. Sudafed does help some people. It may or may not help you.
It sounds to me that you want to be a diver. It also sounds like you're having a few problems with a couple of skills. I have some experience teaching those skills. I have some tips for you. Some may sound unrelated, but believe me they will help. They will help make everything easier.
First, let's work with no mask breathing and mask clearing. They are closely related.
Often, important skills are left out of OW classes. Take your time and practice each step until you are comfortable before moving to the next.
Leave your SCUBA gear in your bag. You only need 3 things at the pool at this point. 1. Mask 2. Snorkel 3. Weight belt with weight.
At no point will you leave the shallow end of the pool.
Take your snorkel off your mask and put on your weight belt. With your mask on the pool deck, your snorkel in your hand and your weight belt on, get into the shallow end of the pool. You should be where when you stand you are no deeper than chest deep, waist deep is even better. Put your snorkel in your mouth and breathe from it. Now, bend over and breathe through your snorkel while you dip your face into the water. If you are comfortable, stay awhile until you feel natural. If you have difficulty, think about drinking through a straw while you practice the excercise. Remember, you can always stand up straight to end the excercise at any time. If you need to, you can slowly build up your time until you feel comfortable.
Next, practice dropping underwater, allowing the snorkel to flood and coming up to blast it clear, leaving your face in the water. Continue until you are comfortable
At this point, you have accomplished three important things.
1. You lowered your anxiety level by working in a no risk (shallow) environment.
2. You became an expert in no mask breathing.
3. You know you can breathe with a flooded mask.
Now, put your snorkel down and pick up your mask. Put it on and drop down to your knees. Break the seal just enough to allow a small amount of water in. Clear the mask. Do not pull out on the bottom, merely push in on the top while looking up. The biggest mistake most people make is not looking up. The second most common mistake people make is not exhaling through their nose. Keep your mouth closed. Repeat this until you are comfortable. Don't forget to stand up and catch your breath between clearings. Now, increase the amount of water you allow into the mask to about ¼ flooded. When you are comfortable with that level, move to ½, then to a fully flooded mask. When you've reached the point you can clear it easily every time, see how many times you can clear it on one breath. After you are at this point, clearing your mask will be easy. You will have reached it in a step by step manner that was easy to accomplish.
Remember, you can always stand up if you feel uncomfortable.
Now, let's discuss equalizing the pressure in your ears. If you do have an enclosed air pocket with no avenue for air to enter or escape, you won't be able to dive. Let's assume for now, that's not the case.
There are several methods of equalization and some tips to help them all work easier.
The most common method of equalization is the Valsalva Maneuver. Named for Antonio Valsalva, this technique involves pinching off the nostrils and blowing gently into the nose. Never blow forcefully while attempting this method as a too forceful Valsalva Maneuver can result in the rupture of the eardrum, round window or oval window. This will usually result in immediate vertigo and hearing loss, which can be permanent.
The Frenzel Maneuver was named for developer, Herman Frenzel of the Luftwaffe in World War II. This method is preformed by closing off the vocal cords, pinching the nostrils while an effort is made to make a "guh" sound.
The Toynbee Maneuver is simply pinching of the nostrils while swallowing.
Beance Tubaire Voluntaire (BTV) or Voluntary Tubal Opening is the preferred method of equalization once mastered. It feels very much like the beginning of a yawn and a difference in tonal quality of sounds will be noticed when successful. The muscles of the upper throat are used to pull open the Eustachian tube.
You should employ equalization techniques immediately upon descent and continue them regularly on descent. If any pain is experienced, you should ascend until all pain disappears and begin again.
Another equalization technique divers find helpful is to gently massage the area under the ear, just behind the jaw and against the jaw bone. This is most effective when used in conjunction with one of the methods discussed above.
Often divers find it useful to chew gum or eat crunchy foods such as apples or carrots prior to diving. You should not attempt to chew gum or eat while diving.
If you are unable to equalize ear pressure, it is possible to rupture the eardrum, round window or oval window. This will usually result in immediate vertigo and hearing loss, which can be permanent. If you are unable to equalize, you should abort the dive.
I hope this helps,
Walter
