[Superman]

These are very good suggestions, which I appreciate!

Steve, I just now learned about NSAIDs, and had imagined that ibuprofen might help. Also, the Curcumin stuff is duly noted. I will likely visit the local Super Supplements store tomorrow where I expect to find it.

Yes Paul, the holding your nose and pressurizing your sinuses thing is SOP. It is part of the class. It is also the reason why SCUBA masks have a soft, enclosed nose section. So that this procedure can be done. But....sometimes our Eustachian tubes do not cooperate. They are tiny, I think. Mine have worked before, when I dove. At least to 85 feet in one instance. But here, they HAVE to work this coming weekend. In COLD water.

Here is a question for someone such as a doctor who might know the answer: Taking antihistamines or decongestants is a diving NO NO because of the danger it will wear off during a dive. But I wonder if it would be good to take something the day before, Friday. By Saturday it will have worn off. My concern is whether the Eustachian tubes might become even more closed once the drug wears off. In other words, when the Friday drug wears off, will the tubes be better on Saturday than they were on Thursday....or could they be worse than they were on Thursday.

And just in anticipation of someone say it: Yes I am overthinking this. It's what I do. I stack as many cards in my favor as I can, when pursuing important goals. I intend to be certified this weekend. If not, it won't be for lack of trying.

Many thanks to all. Seriously. Thank you.