Would you buddy with me?

[fnfalman]

Hello Board!

I'm a pretty new diver - I was certified in May of 2009 (OW), did my checkout dives at Bainbridge, PA (quarry), did my first two real dives on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, and just completed a couple of Nitrox dives in Bainbridge again this past weekend.

The problem is that I have some chronic sinus issues that require me to de-/ascend extra slowly to equalize. Once I'm down there I'm fine.

The problem is that I'm always hesitant to ask anyone to buddy up with me and going into this whole long spiel about my sinuses. I figure people just want to dive and not wait around for me to come down the line.

So this an informal poll (answers hidden except from me) - am I too "high maintenance"/a nuisance, or does this happen often enough that it's no big deal, etc.

Your input is very much appreciated.

Cheers!

I've dived with people who needs extended time to equalize before. It's not a big deal if I know in advance and plan for it. It's a nuissance when I have to find out about it while descending. Issues like that need to be covered in the dive planning stage.

Anyway, I'm a regular dive slut: any place, any time, any buddy.

 

[Maximum Overdive]

I'm a little far away to dive with you however if the opportunity arose, I would not hesitate. Funny thing is, when I started diving I too had trouble getting down. You know, equalize often and every few feet. This did not work for me, I found that letting the pressure build up and tell me when to equalize worked better for me. Now I drop like a stone pulling the dump on the right and the inflater hose, I just have to watch I don't go too fast as in the past it kinda sucks when you're at the bottom and your buddy is still on the surface. The good part about that was it taught me to time my descent with my buddy. In summary, the more you dive the better you'll get. Oh yes I almost forgot, there is a product out there called doc ears that a dive buddy of mine uses and swears by for his sinuses I feel that this could help you greatly if you're not allready diving with them! Cheers, Good luck and save diving!!!<;O)))><

 

[BigHarryDiver]

FYI - my wife was certified about 18 months ago and had MAJOR ear issues. She had a very nasty reverse block during her last OW cert dive in FL. After returning home, she visited our primary physician who sent her to an ENT doc. She now has a good stash of meds for the problem and has logged a number of dives without any issues. She takes extra long to descend but since I'm her buddy most of the time, its not a problem. So the suggestions that you see a Doc are spot on IMO.

I too would have no problem diving with you.

 

[KJackson60]

I would dive with you. I have no problem with slow descents/ascents. Just as long as you tell me about your "problem" before we are in the water. Communication is key to any successful dive.

 

[Sas]

Hello Board!

I'm a pretty new diver - I was certified in May of 2009 (OW), did my checkout dives at Bainbridge, PA (quarry), did my first two real dives on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, and just completed a couple of Nitrox dives in Bainbridge again this past weekend.

The problem is that I have some chronic sinus issues that require me to de-/ascend extra slowly to equalize. Once I'm down there I'm fine.

The problem is that I'm always hesitant to ask anyone to buddy up with me and going into this whole long spiel about my sinuses. I figure people just want to dive and not wait around for me to come down the line.

So this an informal poll (answers hidden except from me) - am I too "high maintenance"/a nuisance, or does this happen often enough that it's no big deal, etc.

Your input is very much appreciated.

Cheers!

Well I would dive with you on nearly all of the dives I do, no worries, I don't care about ascent/descent rates. If I had a really restricted bottom time plus having to be at certain depths at a certain time on the ascent I would say no, but most of the time this is not an issue.

 

[Euroboy_DC]

Thanks to all of you ladies and gentlemen!

I made my appointment with a DAN-referred ENT for Thursday. Can't wait! And as some of you suggested, I hope the whole head cavity air pressure thing will ease up over time, too!

Oh, and I'll start looking at all of your locations so I know whom to bug for dives! Crosing, I'll see you in Bainbridge sometime soon!

Thanks again!

Nico

 

[pjones]

My Fiance has a very similar problem. We spend quite a large amount of time descending to the bottom because of the issues she is having with equalizing. We have in our possession but have yet to try the Doc's Vented Pro Plugs. Of the limited dives that I have accumulated I have never been upset with the duration taken to descent. For me it's just part of the dive because I've never experience any other way. I would imagine that people would like to know before hand that this is an issue so they are not wondering why your taking so long.

 

[boulderjohn]

When I was a new diver, I had terrible equalizing problems on descent. One instructor even said that diving might not be for me because of those problems. Same reason as you--sinuses.

The first thing I learned was to start early and often on the equalizing. By early, I mean a week or so or more before the planned trip. Watching TV? Equalize! Getting on the plane? Equalize! Getting near the resort? Equalize!

I usually arrived at my dive destination the day before the first planned dive. I would immediately put on my snorkel and free dive. I would dive as deeply as I could, equalizing to the best of my ability, over and over and over.

On my first dive trip of the vacation, I would equalize repeatedly on the boat on the way to the site, I would equalize just before splashing, I would equalize on the surface before descent, and I would equalize continually during the descent.

OK, so how are things now?

On my last reasonably deep dive, I got to 150 feet in just over two minutes, and I don't think I made more than a couple conscious attempts at equalizing. That's pretty typical for me now. What's the difference? I do it a lot. That's it. Your ears and sinuses want to equalize quickly, but you don't do it enough in normal life to get them in proper shape. Just keep working on it and have faith--it will come in time.

And I will certainly dive with you.

 

[k ellis]

I would not see it as a problem and in some ways it could be considered an added beneifit to your buddies. Its not good to sink like an anchor so decents should be made slowly. And the slower the decent the better it is.

As for ascent if it takes longer to come up then thats a good thing too as it helps out off gasing. If it takes longer then the 60 feet per minute rule then hey its being conservative

Besides that I am a new diver friendly guy. I usually choose to dive with newer divers as they have an arora surrounding them that lights up when you talk diving Hang in there and youll be fine. Besides remember one thing if they choose not to dive with you then its there loss. They may miss out on an opportunity to have a good lifelong dive buddy

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Your sinus/slow descent issue wouldn't be of any concer for me.
I'd dive with you, and would be descending/ ascending along with you.
If anyone had a problem with it, you probably wouldn't have an
Enjoyable dive with them anyway.
I might only present an issue with current, trying to get on a
Wreck quickly.
Now what this I've read about a speedo??? ;-). Haha.
-Mitch