diving dream crushed?

[lucidblue]

Originally Posted by Roughwater

Some very interesting and helpful information about equalising can be found at Prevention of Middle Ear Barotrauma (Probably the best resource on the net!)

Great article!

[micha3l87]

Wow thanks for all the replys and advice wasn't expecting so many!
I'm deff going to have the surgery, it will help with plane trips also. I live in the south i took a trip up to seattle, wa this past winter and my sinuses went crazy on the way home my sinus cavity hemeraged and bled for a little over a week (because of this deviated septum)

From what I understand its a bit like diving but going up instead of down. The air in my sinus cavity couldnt get out from all the mucus so when we were starting to land I heard a slight pop and whistleing noise and next thing I know the guy next to me says I have blood coming out of my nose

thanks for the link roughwater, I had came across that website a few days ago when I was looking up how to clear my ears and I didnt bookmark it.

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by micha3l87

Wow thanks for all the replys and advice wasn't expecting so many!
I'm deff going to have the surgery, it will help with plane trips also. I live in the south i took a trip up to seattle, wa this past winter and my sinuses went crazy on the way home my sinus cavity hemeraged and bled for a little over a week (because of this deviated septum)

From what I understand its a bit like diving but going up instead of down. The air in my sinus cavity couldnt get out from all the mucus so when we were starting to land I heard a slight pop and whistleing noise and next thing I know the guy next to me says I have blood coming out of my nose

thanks for the link roughwater, I had came across that website a few days ago when I was looking up how to clear my ears and I didnt bookmark it.

To save time, I did a cut and paste ofthe entire article to a word document so I could have it on hand in my laptop even if I don't have an internet connection.

[micha3l87]

What would yall say it sounds like after equalizing?
When I was in the water around 5ft I did hear my ears sorto pop and from then on i heard a crackling noise sorta like a crumpling paper or a tv on a static channel is this the sign when your ears are equalized? it's a unique sound but thats closest as I can describe it

just wondering if thats what I should be trying to get the entire time I'm in the water

[navyhmc]

Originally Posted by micha3l87

What would yall say it sounds like after equalizing?
When I was in the water around 5ft I did hear my ears sorto pop and from then on i heard a crackling noise sorta like a crumpling paper or a tv on a static channel is this the sign when your ears are equalized? it's a unique sound but thats closest as I can describe it

just wondering if thats what I should be trying to get the entire time I'm in the water

I usually hear a short medium pitched sound the best way to tell if your ears are equalized is they feel normal and they don't hurt.

[scubadiver888]

Originally Posted by micha3l87

What would yall say it sounds like after equalizing?
When I was in the water around 5ft I did hear my ears sorto pop and from then on i heard a crackling noise sorta like a crumpling paper or a tv on a static channel is this the sign when your ears are equalized? it's a unique sound but thats closest as I can describe it

just wondering if thats what I should be trying to get the entire time I'm in the water

If I do it properly, I feel no difference. The moment I start going under I start swallowing. For me, pushing my lower jaw out and swallowing equalizes my ears. So I immediately start doing this. For the first 10 feet I am usually doing an equalization every 1 foot. The deeper I go the less frequently I need to equalize.

When I'm wearing a hood, I get an air bubble stuck in my middle ear and this makes things sound odd. Sort of like being in a fish bowl. I'll stick my finger in my face opening, pull the side of the hood open and let a little water in. This will help with the equalization.

The most important thing is, this is not a race. Dealing with buoyancy, deflating your BCD, equalizing your ears, flooding your hood (if necessary), watching for people below, keeping your eye on your buddy, etc. There is a lot going on. As you do this more and more it will all become second nature but at first you need to take your time and do it all right.

Additionally, if I find myself straining to equalize my ears I will stop my descend and kick up a foot or two. While kicking up I'll try to equalize again. This usually makes the equalization easier and eliminates any pain.

[Drewskey]

As a kid, I could never go to the deep end of the pool because of the intense pressure in my ears and eyes. Fast forward some years and I had the same surgery that you are about to have. I started diving three years after the surgery and have only once had reverse block.

[moosicman]

One good thing is that if you start now, you will be able to save up to buy all your gear by the time you heal!!!

[micha3l87]

Originally Posted by moosicman

One good thing is that if you start now, you will be able to save up to buy all your gear by the time you heal!!!

haha I wish gear is very expensive but I have been saving up
my class cost $395
snorkel, flippers, mask, booties total'd around $300

I'm just a college student working a part time job in a grocery store it took a WHILE to save that up only have $400 more for gear so far I just hope everything works out after the surgery from what everyone has said the tubes the doc told me might be narrow will expand the more I'm in the water and equalize.

If anything I need to hit a treadmil and get back inshape treading that water for 10minutes almost killed me lol I'm skin and bones no fat on me to help me float.

As a kid, I could never go to the deep end of the pool because of the intense pressure in my ears and eyes. Fast forward some years and I had the same surgery that you are about to have. I started diving three years after the surgery and have only once had reverse block.

I thought that was because you are holding your breath?

If I do it properly, I feel no difference. The moment I start going under I start swallowing. For me, pushing my lower jaw out and swallowing equalizes my ears. So I immediately start doing this. For the first 10 feet I am usually doing an equalization every 1 foot. The deeper I go the less frequently I need to equalize.

When I'm wearing a hood, I get an air bubble stuck in my middle ear and this makes things sound odd. Sort of like being in a fish bowl. I'll stick my finger in my face opening, pull the side of the hood open and let a little water in. This will help with the equalization.

The most important thing is, this is not a race. Dealing with buoyancy, deflating your BCD, equalizing your ears, flooding your hood (if necessary), watching for people below, keeping your eye on your buddy, etc. There is a lot going on. As you do this more and more it will all become second nature but at first you need to take your time and do it all right.

Additionally, if I find myself straining to equalize my ears I will stop my descend and kick up a foot or two. While kicking up I'll try to equalize again. This usually makes the equalization easier and eliminates any pain

Ya belive me I was in no hurry to get to the bottom we were going down to the 10ft platform and it took me a good 10 minutes to get down there most of it was me being overly cautious I belive.
I have a great instructor(s) my class was 8 ppl 3teachers I was forunate enough to have one instructor work with me alone while trying to get down to the platform.



I can't wait to get back into the water the sound of the regulator and the bubbles just overal I miss it

where I dive
http://divealabama.com/
=D pictures really don't do it justice

[mrmccoy]

Some very interesting and helpful information about equalising can be found at Prevention of Middle Ear Barotrauma (Probably the best resource on the net.

That was a great article. I didn't realize there were so many ways to equalize

Don't forget scuba toys offers 10% off to forum members....might save you a few bucks. then the $10 and $50 gift card too!