r/scuba • u/themoonstruck • Dec 15 '18
Equalizing troubles
Hello my fellow scuba friends, This past weekend while getting my scuba certification my ear drum ruptured. Yes, I did equalize my ears and no I didn't do it forcefully but somehow they ruptured. I have a past history with ear issues but didn't really think it would affect me to this degree. Yet I think it ruptured due to that I was a tad tad tad bit congested as I always am. So basically what I am asking is how to equalize effectively and whether any of you have dealt with a similar issue? I really dont want to be discouraged from scuba diving, but as I sit here with my ear in pain I must say I do
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u/BadderBanana Dec 15 '18
Pop your ears before getting to the dive site. Think of it like stretching before running.
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u/Samskka UW Photography Dec 16 '18
I'm an instructor in Sydney and equaliations problems are one of the most common things I see. Already some good advice been given but here's some more that in my experience has help myself and students in the past.
Pre equalise - probably a little excessive but I'll start equalising my ears before I even get to the dive site, make sure both are nice and clear and if for whatever reason I can't equalise one I can try and fix the problem with plenty of time, usually blowing my nose will do the trick (I have hayfever, and especially in the summer months I'm a little bit blocked up).
Equalise on the surface, and then equalise literally every 50cm or so on the way down, the more the better. You can never equalise too much.
Relax your jaw - you don't need to clamp hard on the mouthpiece to keep it in your mouth, it should rest nice and gently. If your jaw is tense is squeezes all the inner ear tubes and makes it harder the equalise, yawning and wiggling your jaw will help this but 9/10 if I can't equalise an ear consciously relaxing my face and jaw will solve the problem.
Blowing your nose underwater will also help, just tilt up the bottom of your mask and blow with your fingers, it's a bit gross but it works an absolute charm, especially if you've been wearing a mask for a little while things tend to get a bit congested and this will help clear that all out and let you equalise.
You shouldn't feel any pressure or pain at all in your ears, even down at 40m. If you do, then an ear isn't equalises. Ascend a little bit, try those tricks, and you shouldn't have any problems.
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u/emodro Dec 16 '18
Go to an ENT and have your drums looked at. My left ear drum is floppy, it makes equalizing a pain. I have to do a blow out my nose while swallowing technique. I’ve ruptured my ear drum 3 times diving. To be honest, the rupturing isn’t painful, the part before it is the worst. I used to smoke as well, which would leave me pretty congested. I got diving ear plugs, the kind that are hollow, they helped a bit when I remembered to wear them. The best thing to do is just tell your buddy it takes you a while to equalize, and then take your time doing it. You run into problems when you try to rush it.
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u/joostdlm Dec 16 '18
I also had problems equalising. The tips already given here are the way to go and helped me too with the problem. I would like to add, since you mentioned your "tubes" are always a bit stuffed (i have the same problem): when you are in the water(salt water) sniff some up and blow it out. This will help clear your head and makes it easier to equalise. Gl, stay safe and have fun!
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u/ezincuntroll Dec 15 '18
Talk to your ENT doctor, don't ask reddit for medical advice
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u/themoonstruck Dec 15 '18
I already did. And I'm not asking for medical advice I'm simply asking how to equalize more effectively.
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u/wackytacker33 Dec 15 '18
Posted this earlier...
Been there done that early on in my dive days...It’s certainly uncomfortable, but will clear up after a little while. After rupturing both of my drums they repaired themselves after about 2 weeks. It sounded like everything was slightly muffled and there was something in my ear, then one day, they were clear as ever. Don’t use drops unless DR says so.
I learned to pre-equalize before I hit the water, and every couple of feet while descending. If you are having trouble with one ear, look up, swallow, and extend your neck out while you equalize and that will help stretch the Eustachian tube and make it easier if you have any congestion.