Taking Open Water course for the 2nd time....

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Seville

Contributor
Messages
232
Reaction score
37
Location
CA
About 5 years ago I took the open water course, I did the book work, and 4 confined pool dives. I was unable to clear one ear at about 10 feet, causing a lot of pain. I decided to forgo the open water portion as my ear hurt for a few days. This year, I had a sinus surgery thinking it would help clear it up. I found a good deal on a last minute scuba class and signed up. I then went in the pool to practice and I am still having issues past 8 feet. I really want to do scuba diving especially since I failed the first time.

Is there a way I could still get my ow cert if I can still do all the tests at 10 feet and I do not want to go down to 60ft? I know that PADI says a lot of divers who have disabilities can still dive, I really don't mind if I am limited to 10 feet as diving in shallows seems more appealing to me. I have seen an ENT and he said some ppl cant clear and suggested Afrin and Sudafed. I have also tried Docs earplugs and they did not work.

Does this mean I can never get my OW cert if I am not comfortable going down to 60 feet because of the pain? Is my diving career over before it even started?
 
I am confused. I did my open water in a lake at about 25 feet. all 5 dives. maybe you should try a different agency if the one you're using makes you go to a depth you're not comfortable with. more than likely you're confusing your max operating depth limit with what they expect from you in the class? check with your instructor. an open water diver is limited to 60 feet mod.
 
I thought on the open water dive they took you to 60 feet as padi. I guess my question is can I still do my cert if I can only dive about 10 feet?
 
You should find out why you have issues with your ears before worrying about what depth you can go to in the course. I'd get a DAN referral and have the ENT trained in hyperbaric medicine find out what is what first.
 
I thought on the open water dive they took you to 60 feet as padi. I guess my question is can I still do my cert if I can only dive about 10 feet?
I would ask your instructor why they wouldn't? if you can demonstrate all the skills required, the depth it's done at should have no relevance
 
I would ask your instructor why they wouldn't? if you can demonstrate all the skills required, the depth it's done at should have no relevance

If I were his instructor, I'd have him get full medical clearance from an ENT dive specialist first. No such thing as "good to dive to a max dive of...". There should be no medical stipulation or condition to what depth the diver can go to here (recreational diving depths). You are either medically qualified to dive or you are not.
 
You should find out why you have issues with your ears before worrying about what depth you can go to in the course. I'd get a DAN referral and have the ENT trained in hyperbaric medicine find out what is what first.
Seconded. It is absolutely not a course requirement to go to 60 feet, but that's beside the point. If you can equalize, 60 feet won't be a problem; if you can't, even 10 feet will. The most dramatic pressure change occurs in those first few feet; simply enduring the pressure without equalizing is not safe.
 

Back
Top Bottom