Sudafed

[mac_diver]

For a non-medicinal method of clearing your sinuses, I use something called a nasel cup. Best way of describing it is that it looks like a small watering can for flowers. You add a teaspoon of salt and fill it with warm water. Then you flush your sinuses through each nostril. It is pretty gross, but not uncomfortable. I use it in the mornings before diving and have not had any problems with congestion. I usually wake up slightly congested which normally clears by itself. I use this as a precaution, to prevent blocks.

Before I started using this, I would normally I was taking sudafed and never had a problem with it wearing off. I stopped taking sudafed when I read a report about toxing on nitrox with a ppO2 below 1.4. For me, its not worth the risk. A blocked ear, even a ruptured ear drum is better than toxing.

I'm going to try a google search and see if I can get information on the nasel cup. I'm not sure where my wife got it. She has severe allergies and this helps when she is really congested.

 

[DandyDon]

Saline nose drops are cheaply available in drug stores. I have, on occassion, removed my mask under water to blow my nose while diving and allow just a little salt water to enter my nose. Dries out the nose okay, but I wonder if it helps with ear tubes...?