Ear Squeeze

[PeteT]

Hi Everyone

Could anybody give me some advise on clearing congestion in the Eustachen Tube/sinus area?

I was diving yesterday, having had a cold. I thought everything was ok as I felt I was breathing clearly. A bit premature as it turned out as I could only get to 4m as the squeeze set in. No matter how much chewing, swallowing, snorting,etc I did , nothing cleared. I think something must have moved as my ears feel blocked and I can feel it as I swallow.

I am booked in to do some more open water skill in a weeks time and would not like to miss that; so any advise of how I could help free the blockage would be gratefully recieved.

[Eric Russell-Brown]

Try this link

<a href="http://www.e-med.co.uk/diving/easy_equalization.html" >http://www.e-med.co.uk/diving/easy_equalization.html</a>

[PeteT]

Hi Eric

Thanks v much for that link.

Kind regards

Pete

[Steve Walker]

Hi Everyone

Could anybody give me some advise on clearing congestion in the Eustachen Tube/sinus area?

I was diving yesterday, having had a cold. I thought everything was ok as I felt I was breathing clearly. A bit premature as it turned out as I could only get to 4m as the squeeze set in. No matter how much chewing, swallowing, snorting,etc I did , nothing cleared. I think something must have moved as my ears feel blocked and I can feel it as I swallow.

I am booked in to do some more open water skill in a weeks time and would not like to miss that; so any advise of how I could help free the blockage would be gratefully recieved.

I'm assuming when you say "a cold" you're referring to rhinitis (runny nose, itching, sneezing and/or stuffy nose due to blockage or congestion) rather than a true "cold" as caused by the common cold virus, which can be much more of a problem. If you have, or have recently had, the latter you shouldn't be getting into the water, if it's rhinitis then its not as bad.

Either way, if you're not 100% over your infection then be prepared for it's resurgence as there is some (albeit slight) evidence that diving compromises your immune integrity, also I know from personal experience that diving can exacerbate the length of your illness.

On the practical side, aspirin/paracetemol or other OTC analgesic/antipyretics should help to reduce inflammation and may assist ear clearing. Also I'm particularly keen on Olbas Oil to clear airways and Echinacea supplements to help boost your immune system to aid fighting your infection (I'd advise getting reconised brands e.g. Boots). The scientific evidence for the latter is still debatable by some though I have read some data to back this up, plus it seems to work for me even though I have been previously highly skeptical about some complimentary medicines.

HTH
Steve

[PeteM]

Further to the other answers - can I just advise you not to force the issue. If you can not dive you can not dive the water will still be there in a couple of weeks.

If you force the issue you might end up with a reverse ear, same sort problem but in the other direction. Now a normal blockage has the solution:- go up. If your only solution to remove the pressure is to go down and you are out of air you have problems. Your options are 1) surface, go through the pain and risk permant damage or 2) die.

Pete

[PeteT]

Thanks everyone for the links and advise.

I have been to see a doctor;who has diagnosed a chest infection. So i guess I'll have to put things on hold for a couple of weeks as i swallow a rather large dose of penicillin.

Take care

Pete

[Alan Taylor]

Hi Everyone

Could anybody give me some advise on clearing congestion in the Eustachen Tube/sinus area?

I was diving yesterday, having had a cold. I thought everything was ok as I felt I was breathing clearly. A bit premature as it turned out as I could only get to 4m as the squeeze set in. No matter how much chewing, swallowing, snorting,etc I did , nothing cleared. I think something must have moved as my ears feel blocked and I can feel it as I swallow.

Dear Peter

May I suggest that during your enforced rest that you have a look at the Effects of Pressure chapter in the BSAC Diving Manual it may prove helpful. The manual is always a good place to start.

May you have a speedy recovery


I am booked in to do some more open water skill in a weeks time and would not like to miss that; so any advise of how I could help free the blockage would be gratefully recieved.

[PeteT]

Hi Alan

Sound advice...

Regards

Pete

[Alan Taylor]

Hi Alan

Sound advice...

Regards

Pete

Anytime

Good luck with your skills,

Keep on Divin'

Alan

[angiemac]

I am booked in to do some more open water skill in a weeks time and would not like to miss that; so any advise of how I could help free the blockage would be gratefully recieved.

If you are recovering from a cold I've found that a chesty cough mixture like Covonia or Friar Balsam really helps shift sinus congestion and catarrh, but I wouldn't recommend you take it just before diving. If you've got a few days between the cold and diving then it might help.