Likelyhood of getting swimmers ear

[Reg]

I dive alot locally and on some overseas trips I have done a couple of dive days. I haven't ever had a problem with swimmers ear.

I am heading on a couple of overseas dive holidays (ie 4 dives a day for 10 days etc).

What is the likelihood I could get swimmers ear because of the increased amount of diving I will be doing?

[hoobascooba]

the likelihood is probably 1 of 2 chances.

you get swimmer's ear, or you don't.

just maybe, you could reduce those odds if you stuffed cotton balls in your ears...

[jtkkym]

You should drain water from your ears after each dive.

[CompuDude]

If you've never had a problem with it, you'll likely be fine.

I have issues with it. Others have never had issues, and dive as much or more than me. So it mostly depends on you... and if you've never had it, it's probably not going to be a concern for you.

If you're really worried about it, put some "ear beer" in each ear (one at a time of course) and keep it in for a minute or two at the end of every day: 50% white wine vinegar, 50% isopropyl alcohol. That will pretty much ensure you won't get one.

[Reg]

Thanks for the replies. My fiance is packing her case and starts asking whether we should buy this and that to put in the 'medicines' bag. As we have yet to have any problems with our ears I am not too worried although I certainly don't want it to spoil the holiday if it does come about.

I will direct her to the 'swimmers ear' thread for all the other options.

[aggie99]

I learned this from my OW instructor: Use a solution of 1/2 Isoprophel Alcohol and 1/2 White Vinegar. The vinegar is the same PH as your body and therefore cut's down on the burning from the alcohol. I use it at the end of every diving day and it seems to work well.

[texdiveguy]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

If you're really worried about it, put some "ear beer" in each ear (one at a time of course) and keep it in for a minute or two at the end of every day: 50% white wine vinegar, 50% isopropyl alcohol. That will pretty much ensure you won't get one.

Ditto.

[WaScubaDude]

Originally Posted by Reg

I dive alot locally and on some overseas trips I have done a couple of dive days. I haven't ever had a problem with swimmers ear.

I am heading on a couple of overseas dive holidays (ie 4 dives a day for 10 days etc).

What is the likelihood I could get swimmers ear because of the increased amount of diving I will be doing?

The chances are pretty darn good you will get swimmers ear if you don't use drops. I will re-research the drops I heard worked best. I think it was an ear beer with 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 isopropyl alcohol, 1/3 hydrogen peroxide.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by WaScubaDude

The chances are pretty darn good you will get swimmers ear if you don't use drops. I will re-research the drops I heard worked best. I think it was an ear beer with 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 isopropyl alcohol, 1/3 hydrogen peroxide.

What makes you say that?

[ianr33]

For me it totally depends where I am diving. In saltwater I never have a problem. In Texas mudholes I use the drops after every dive.