Eustachian Health

Superman · 11-21-2022, 01:02 PM

Though I have actually dove SCUBA a good number of times, I have never been certified. I am pursuing PADI certification now, and spent last weekend in a pool. In the deeper pool, at the bottom, I had some ear discomfort and my ear pressure resisted equalizing. Next weekend is the "open water" certification weekend. In Puget Sound, which will be colder and more challenging than the pool. I do not want to "miss" being certified because of inability to equalize ear pressure. No doubt, we will be going deeper than just the 12-16 feet yesterday. I cannot fail in this. I will spend two weeks in Cozumel in January and I want to DIVE!

Taking decongestants or antihistamines before diving is a NO NO.

I have been doing some reading about natural anti-inflammatory methods. I am right now drinking Turmeric tea with some black pepper. Many recommend uses of Apple Cider Vinegar. At any rate, this is your invitation to offer suggestions of how I can safely and sanely ensure Eustachian Tube health on Saturday and Sunday so that I can equalize pressures and be successful in getting certified at depth.

masraum · 11-21-2022, 01:14 PM

If you're trying to get inflammation down (and not going to use NSAIDs which should do the trick) then I had a Dr recommend curcumin, specifically the following brand which is available on Amazon.
Life Extension Super Bio-Curcumin Turmeric Extract
I think I was taking 2 pills 4 times a day or something like that, but it's probably been 12-15 years, I don't exactly remember.

Seahawk · 11-21-2022, 01:17 PM

I am not a diver but as a pilot, we were taught a modified version of the Valsalva Maneuver to equalizer pressure.

There are a million links and warnings so please get advice you trust before you try it.

I've done it for 40 years, even on airliners.

GH85Carrera · GH85Carrera's Garage

Good luck. One of my buddies loved snorkeling and wanted to get into scuba. He soon found out his ears just will not allow it. He has a difficult time on airplanes. He just has to be happy to snorkel.

Seahawk · 11-21-2022, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

He has a difficult time on airplanes.

I tried with a Dr. friend of mine to come up with a way to safely clear the Eustachian tubes of children on airplanes, which is the number one cause of discomfort and crying for kids on airliners - me as well when they cry.

No dice, too many avenues to 800-Camp-Lejune.

Evans, Marv · 11-21-2022, 02:01 PM

During my scuba diving days, I first had a little problem equalizing pressure. Over time, I found out it became easier as I did it more. Maybe you could try something like holding your nose and pressurizing your ears a bit as an exercise. That's what you do gong down to increase the internal pressure anyway. Practice moving your jaw around to relieve it. Maybe exercising your eustacian tubes this way will help.

Superman · 11-21-2022, 03:10 PM

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.

Gooch1971 · Gooch1971's Garage

Ear doctor prescribed Prednisone ear drops to enlarge the eustachian tube/aid drainage and relieve pressure from fluid in my ear. I have battled ear infections a couple times in my life. Just got a tube put in in October at 51. No diving for me unless it's in a submarine.

Superman · 11-21-2022, 03:48 PM

Gooch, I wonder if my family doctor could prescribe Prednisone. Perhaps I will reach out to her. Honestly, my sinuses have given me grief at times, but I have dove between 50-100 feet on several occasions, so I know they CAN cooperate. They must do so this weekend.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

12 hour sudafed is your friend.

underwater sports has a pool near Northgate and will help you through ear issues.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

scubaboard.com has lots of great advice also, it's the "Pelican" of scuba world

Superman · 11-22-2022, 07:17 AM

Thanks, Rusty. Underwater Sports (Tacoma) are the people I am working with. they are very helpful and I need to visit them this week anyway, for the gear needed in this weekend's dives.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

Craigslist is full of used scuba gear, depending on what you're looking for. I have a garage full of extra gear, what are you needing?

Superman · 11-22-2022, 03:14 PM

Plane tickets to the top ten destination dive locations?

Actually, I might answer your question in a PM when I have more time.

Superman · 11-25-2022, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

... a modified version of the Valsalva Maneuver to equalizer pressure.

There are a million links and warnings so please get advice you trust before you try it.

I found a Frenzel method, used by many free divers, and this method is better/safer. It avoids all the pressure and volume that can come from lung exhale. It basically captures a space of air in your mouth, then uses tongue pressure to pressurize the Eustachian tubes. It works well.

I am also taking Rusty's advice on the 12-hour Sudafed. Which, apparently, is fully outlawed in Mexico (Pseudoephedrine).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seahawk

.... a way to safely clear the Eustachian tubes of children on airplanes...

No dice, too many avenues to 800-Camp-Lejune.

Yeah...I wouldn't trust kids in doing this, Frenzel or Valsalva. They're just going to have to stick with stuff like yawning, moving jaws back and forth, wiggling the ears. A decongestant might help. I remember earaches as a kid. NOT fun.

Rusty Heap · Rusty Heap's Garage

top dive list for us personally:

Fiji
Cozumel
Philippines.
Belize
Roatan Honduras.

in no particular order.........I was a certified instructor in a past life, have well over 1000 dives.

Headed off to Indonesia and Bali with Komodo dragons next week.

Live a board dive boats rock!

Superman · 11-26-2022, 05:09 PM

I'll bet that's true Rusty, about dive boats.

I dove Belize for a week. Very beautiful. Will you be doing the Great Blue Hole?

I just checked....Scubafed is okay in Indonesia, it seems. Go figure. Just leave your bong at home.

Dove today, and tomorrow is our last two certification dives. If successful, I will be able to say I got certified in Puget Sound...in the winter. A few ticks above freezing each morning. Fingers crossed.

Evans, Marv · 11-26-2022, 09:09 PM

I have a question. I got a NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) certification in the '60s. It states on the certificate that it's good for life. Does anybody know if I'm still certified? Would that be honored? I don't intend to be doing any diving and sold my equpment years ago.

otto_kretschmer · 11-26-2022, 11:11 PM

I havn't been in the water for a couple years but I used to take Sudafed with me on trips just in case I had a problem. You may also see if you have a lot of wax in your ear.

Superman · 11-27-2022, 06:49 AM

Marv, I have not heard of a SCUBA certification that expires. That said, if someone has not been practicing the skills lately, then easing back into it with some instruction is highly recommended. The equipment has changed a LOT since the '60s.

Otto, my ears were inspected by a pro, and found to be clear of wax. Yesterday at about 12 feet I had trouble equalizing one ear. Instructor took me to a shallower depth where the problem began to resolve. I think we are going to around 60 feet today, so those ears HAVE to work.