equalization problems...HELP

bc1281 · #1 11/02/2007, 08:13 PM

My girlfriend and I are planning on going away to Bora Bora next year. We would like to go scuba diving, and are both certified, but she has had a horrible time with equalization the few times we have gone out. She gets nose bleeds and fluid in the ears. We would like to know any recommendations/suggestions for anything we can try. Thanks

billsreef · #2 11/03/2007, 09:44 AM

I'd check with an Ear, Nose, Throat specialist to make sure there isn't an underlaying problem.

Ron Leversee · #3 11/03/2007, 10:00 AM

Yep....You may want to call DAN...(Divers Alert Network) and ask them about this and see if they can refer a good doc in your area that has some scuba knowledge???

1-919-684-4326

redox · #4 11/04/2007, 10:34 AM

unfortunatly some people have trouble equalizing their eustation tubes and cant dive due to it. Im sorry too hear about your situation bora bora would be the bomb. Hopefully a doctor can give you some answers. Also some times you need too have a slower decent rate as not everyone can clear their tubes as fast as some can. Ive got to where I dont even have to pinch my nose to clear mine,but my dive buddy has a heck of a time getting his too clear. Sometimes he has too ascend a little too get them too pop. If you go too deep before you clear them properly you end up with symptoms like you are describing. slow ascent is the key . Ive had swimmers ear once from too fast of ascent and once is all I needed too learn my lesson

redox · #5 11/04/2007, 06:11 PM

did I say ascent I meant decent.

oceancowboy · #6 11/04/2007, 11:13 PM

First....be sure with a doctor there is no medical problem.

I have seen a product that is a mask that helps keep your ears dry and helps equalization. Look on the internet for ProEar2000. I think that is the name. Several years ago while diving in Maldives, a divemaster on the liveaboard I was on had one and several people having ear problems used it....it helped. I did hear it is noisy to use.

Sharkbait74 · #7 11/05/2007, 02:00 PM

Hey... I had tubes in my ears when I was a kid... I have equalization issues as well.

I went to a dive (specialist) doctor. She said if you take it easy and dive frequently, that your body will adjust. She also told me "off the record"... to take a non-drowsy 12hr EXTRA STRENGTH SUDAFED about an hour before I hit the water... The SUDAFED expands the sinuses and makes it easier to equalize. Since then, I use the Sudafed on all dives. I'd say about 60% of the time I can go from surface to 60ft without even feeling the pressure. The other times, it takes me awhile and I am usually the last to equalize... but at least it has never stopped me from diving.

I dove French Polynesia in 2006... luckily, you can see almost everything within 40ft... including the sharks

I have some pictures posted in my photo gallery....

slapshot · #8 11/06/2007, 12:00 PM

May be bad but I have to take Sudfed 1/2 hour before I dive. Otherwise I have issues.

ezcompany · #9 11/06/2007, 02:59 PM

yup, sudafed helps.

Ron Leversee · #10 11/06/2007, 03:59 PM

I have a prescription for Allegra D.... It is non-drowsy also and a Dive doc prescribed it for me...I had some sinus issues and when I take one of these about a hour before I hit the water I am good for the day!!!!

wfrost · #11 11/06/2007, 09:29 PM

I had problems when I first started diving clearing my left ear, over the years it just cleared up and went away.

mhltcob · #12 11/06/2007, 10:39 PM

Besides what others have said make sure to clear early and often. You should not wait until you feel the pressure change in the ears to clear them. If the doctor gives the all clear, descending slowly, clearing often, and getting more experience in the water will all help.

snorvich · #13 11/11/2007, 08:43 PM

I agree with mhltcob. You will find that Sudafed or equivalent does help. As you dive more, it will become easier especially as you learn to relax. It is especially important to come up slowly. In addition to nitrogen related issues, a reverse squeeze is incredibly painful.

sgtcalypso · #14 11/12/2007, 08:43 AM

yeah i agree with you guys...last time i went diving i had this bad experience with equalization. i tried equalizing early but can't until i reached 20ft.
then my right ear pop and felt like bubbles coming out of my ear and then.....everything was going in circles...i was so dizzy and have to signal my buddy that i was going to abort the dive.
i had vertigo!! and a little blood came out of my right ear.

moral lesson.... descent slowly and equalize early. HTH

billsreef · #15 11/12/2007, 10:54 AM

Ouch. Sounds like a ruptured ear drum.

If your having trouble during a dive, ascend until you can equalize and than try heading back down while equalizing often. Once you hit that point of having trouble, often the eustachian tube has squeezed shut from the pressure and you will not be able to equalize until ascending and reducing that pressure. Should ascending a few feet still alleviate the problem, don't force the issue and rupture an ear drum, abort the dive. There is always another day to dive

Reefdiver77 · #16 11/18/2007, 01:13 PM

Be cautious of using Sudafed. Most docs discourage it. For those with high BP, it can increase your BP. I have used it numerous times, and I am an RN. I stopped after being dx with high BP. I have found that Dr. Grossman's Hydropulse works great for me. It is a sinus irritation system. I use it the night before I dive and the morning of the dive. It works like a charm and is totally safe. I went to an ENT Nurse Pract. She prescribed Afrin nasal spray and Nasocort Nasal Inhaler. This along with the sinus irrigator works well. I have missed no dives in the 3 years since I have been using this combination. My son has very narrow eustachian tubes. We even had his tonsils and adenoids removed. He still can not dive at the age of 28 and he took all the classes to get certified at the age of 13, but could never complete the pool work.

dlynch · #17 11/18/2007, 04:05 PM

My husband used to get nose bleeds and even ruptured his ear drum - he is fine now. The doctor at Anthony's Key Resort told him to see an ears nose and throat doctor. He said Flonase (sp?) would probably do the trick.

ReefEze · #18 11/19/2007, 04:05 PM

I used to, and to some degree, still have this problem...

I use Flonase and Sudafed also, and it helps a little but the biggest aids that I have learned from experience:

(1) Begin equalizing AS SOON as you start descending, and do it often, but be careful not to blow too hard or frequently as this could irritate your tubes and get them to swell up

(2) Dive alot... the more I dive the easier it becomes to equalize, and after about 2-3 short dives im usually set... it also makes you more comfortable in the water, which helps alot. Almost impossible to equalize if your sucking air or nervous.

bhbell · #19 12/04/2007, 11:19 PM

Practice practice practice. Sometimes thrusting your lower jaw forward can help. I start clearing as soon as the water goes into my ears . As I sat here typing this I cleared my ears half a dozen times, no nose pinching just by moving my lower jaw slightly and by lots of practice. One of the percs of living in the Marshall Islands for three years was LOTS of practice.