diving dream crushed?

[micha3l87]

Hey guys ever since I was little I've always wanted to dive, well last november I decided it was time to sign up I looked up my closest dive school and signed up for the first class they offered in 2009 late april I waited and waited and finally april got here we the first day we did our survival test 2nd we learned about gear how it goes together and got in the water I had trouble clearing the water from my mask the first few times found it easier to take my mask off put it back on and clear it then to slowly let it flood. Anyway 3rd day we went down to 10ft and did more skills this is when I first felt pressure on my ears, I eventually made it to the bottom of the deck but took me a LOT longer then any of the other students for serveral reasons. The first I was scared after being told by so many people if I went down without clearing my ear drums would basicly bust um well I wanted to take my sweet time? secondly I was worried about pinching my noise and blowing to hard.

I did all the skills I was required to do at 10ft and a few extra ones, on the way back to the surface I had the worst pain behind my left eye (i've felt this before on a airplane) my dive instructors told me I had a reverse block and for me to see my ent. I went to the doctor and he said I have a servely deviated septum. I've never had broke my nose or anything like that but what I'm posting here today is to ask what are my chances of being able to dive after this surgery? I don't really like my doctor anymore but thats a whole different story.

I'm just worried that even after this surgery is done and my 30 days of being out of the water is up when I get back in I won't be able to clear my ears still the doc said that deviated septum is known to CAUSE issues with divers but he also added that it may be my tubes and that no operation can fix that.

My surgery is scheduled for the 25th just a week away, has anyone else had this problem? and now can dive?

Thanks for the help!

[ReefHound]

I had a deviated septum corrected 10 years ago with no problems, and I know several others who have as well. Your dream is not yet crushed. Get the surgery, let it heal completely, then give it another shot (with your doctor's approval).

And BTW, many new students have a very hard time equalizing at first. It's something most people find easier and easier to do with practice.

[micha3l87]

What makes me think the surgery won't help I started trying to remember a few days ago which ear I was having trouble with the doctor said my deviated septum was to the left so I'm thinking maybe my tube on the right is just messed up like he said.

I really miss being in the water one of the best experiences i've ever had

[ReefHound]

I can't promise anything but I wouldn't give up just yey. Maybe the surgery will fix everything. Or maybe you had tissue inflammation from allergies or a mild sinus infection you weren't aware of.

[scubadiver888]

Additionally, there are different methods of clearing your ears. Different methods work for different people. I've always had a hard time clearing my ears in the first 15 feet. Once you get below 15 feet it becomes easier because the pressure change is not as great, relatively speaking.

I found for me, pinching my nose and swallowing works or pushing out my lower jaw slightly and swallowing.

While you are recovering from surgery you can research the many other ways to clear your ears. Gives you an excuse to hang around the dive shop and chat up other divers.

[navyhmc]

Step one: Get the surgery. The pain was due to a sinus squeeze: Sphenoid sinus if I recall correctly. The surgery should solve that.

Step two: Let it heal completely and try not to fret about it while it heals.

Step three: Get medically cleared and go about the skills and practice again. SD888 aluded to it: There are a number of ways to clear your ears. For me it's a nose pinch and light attempt to blow through my nose. Works everytime. For you it may be something else. Work with the instructor in the pool until you're comfortable. LEt him know the problem and wrok through it.

Step four: Hopefully everything works out and you'll be out diving.

Good luck.

[bennerman]

I have a devaited sceptum (that or sleep apnea or something like that)... I didn't realise that that could cause a problem... crap... Anyway, I wish you luck, and I am sure you will be fine

[Roughwater]

Originally Posted by micha3l87

What makes me think the surgery won't help I started trying to remember a few days ago which ear I was having trouble with the doctor said my deviated septum was to the left so I'm thinking maybe my tube on the right is just messed up like he said.

I'm one of the divers who had an extremely hard time equalising my ears. On my dive course I found the only way I could equalise was by swallowing. Unfortunately they didn't equalise completely but I used to only get little 'squeaks'. Thus it took time for me to get down.

During my open water dives, I ran out of saliva before I got down to the bottom. The only way I continued was to swallow sea water. (Yes - I was desperate to complete my O.W. course)

I took it that I would never be a deep diver, and people would be 1/2 finished their dives before I even got down to looking at what we were going to look at. It didn't matter how hard I tried holding my nose and blowing - I could not equalise.

However - after about 12-20 dives later my eustation(sp)? tubes started to relax / stretch / whatever, and I started finding that equalising was coming along much easier.

Now, I'm one of the first divers down the bottom. I don't know the medical reasons, but I can assure you I couldn't equalise prior to doing those dives but they definitely did loosen. I've seen a lot of other people have similar problems and improve as they dive too.

I'm with the others - get the surgery first, let it heal and then try again.

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

[navyhmc]

That is an excellent article Roughwater! I've already sent it to 3 folks, one who is wanting to dive but has ear trouble. Thanks!!!

[unclepooty]

Good thread! My son had no trouble equalising at all when we first started diving. This year it took him quite some time to pass 30', and still never got completely comfortable. Also had pain behind one eye when accending. Never thought of it 'till now, but he broke his nose last year between dive trips. May be worth looking into.