Sinus Congestion Medicine Before Dive

[mswistak]

Do you guys take any sinus decongestion medicine before you dive? I am in the middle of my certification classes and I noticed last week I had a problem clearing my ears so this week I popped a sudafed and a squirt of affrin and I felt great....do you guys use anything?

 

[ScubaSpicher]

So as a new student I will tell you that you are not supposed take medication before diving for any reason. The are a couple of problems with taking medication. First, no one knows the effects of medication under pressure. Second, if the medication wears off when you are underwater, you could have bigger issues during your ascent.

All that said, I have seen numerous divers taking medication before diving. I have personally used Sudafed and find it works pretty well. Be careful and have fun diving. Hope this helps!

 

[ScubaSarus]

I occasionally take 1/2 dose of sudafed before a dive and sometimes after if I get a lot of water in the nose. Some sinus infections are caused by water not draining out of the sinuses and ears in that case.

If you are healthy and in good physical shape and have no health issues, it may be safe to do 1/2 dosage before a dive; but becasue they increase heart rates and blood Pressure, it could cause excess physical stress on your cardio vascular system on top of the stress diving already places on your system so be careful.

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

I have a lot of sinus issues. Since I started rinsing my nose I am doing much much better. Here is a thread I started about it last fall.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...everyday-feeling-good-anybody-else-doing.html

 

[dk2943]

I had a lot of trouble clearing my ears. I contacted DAN, who sent me to a dive friendly ENT doctor, who told me to take Afrin before I dive. It clears out my horrible sinuses right away. I only take it when I dive, but have not had any problems clearing ever since.

 

[TSandM]

This is a frequently discussed topic, and here's my advice in a nutshell:

First, watch THIS video (warning: it's long) and learn about various methods for equalizing. Then perhaps do a pool session and see if you can equalize more effectively. If you can't, and you have frequent or persistent congestion or allergy symptoms, talk to your primary care physician about either a referral to an allergist, or a trial of non-drowsy antihistamines or nasal steroids. It is always better to try to address the cause of a problem, rather than to take something to mask the symptoms.

The big issue with decongestants is the possibility of them wearing off while you are diving. Since the ascent is the only MANDATORY diving maneuver, you can find yourself in a position where your only option is either to endure significant pain or to do major damage to your ears or sinuses to get back to the surface. Better to try to treat the condition which is causing the issue, IMHO.

 

[lowviz]

Listen to your ears. (can't remember who said that ) I'm guessing that you are waiting to long to equalize. Now if you said that your right or left is constantly giving you a problem, intervention might just be the way to go. It was for me until I outgrew the "need" for decongestants. But, they do work.

 

[mswistak]

Well thanks for the input...next week when I am in the pool I am going to go with just the Affrin and see how that is

 

[salth2owannabe]

My ears, nose, and throat Dr. suggested I take a sudafed and use affrin (or similar) while diving.
I don't have ear clearing issues but I do have some sinus squeeze problems and spit a little blood on some dives. I've had no problems with an over the counter combo listed above.

 

[Scubadaddy]

I see people referring to Afrin as a recommended/chosen decongestant for diving. Is there a specific reason for choosing this brand or will others work just as well (Drixoral, Dristan, Otrivin, etc.) ?