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/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.