Diving ears

K

Killter

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Hi Folks

A friend suffers killer pains in his ears when he flies-Im not talking slight popping noises, Im talking searing pains and temp deafness in his ears. He's on about doing diving PADI course-does anyone know if the pressure from diving would also cause these pains? Is it the same kind of pressure as that of flying?

Cheers
 
It's the opposite pressure - pressure increases when you are diving and decreases when you are flying. So the pressure will be "in" when diving (and "out" while flying I reckon). Your friend should do a try-a-dive first before embarking (and paying for) the entire PADI course and see how he gets on. I know some people that can't dive because they can't equalise their ears and the pain is too much for them.

Sprite
 
WaterSprite said:
It's the opposite pressure - pressure increases when you are diving and decreases when you are flying. So the pressure will be "in" when diving (and "out" while flying I reckon).
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Er, only if he doesn't surface...
 
Has he spoken to his GP? I have the same problem with flying but my GP was a big help and gave me some useful advice. Persistant problems with his ears when flying, if ignored, can lead to permanent damage so definitely worth a GP visit.
 
Killter said:
Hi Folks

A friend suffers killer pains in his ears when he flies-Im not talking slight popping noises, Im talking searing pains and temp deafness in his ears. He's on about doing diving PADI course-does anyone know if the pressure from diving would also cause these pains? Is it the same kind of pressure as that of flying?

Cheers
Click to expand...

The same thing used to happen to me when flying. The pain got really severe when the plane was descending and also deafness. I also found it difficult equalising my ears when ascending in the plan and i'd feel the pressure building until i'd feel the air escaping, making the most uncomfortable squeeling noise in my ear.

Then i found "Earplanes" which are vented ear plugs that i buy in the airport when flying and i have to say they are amazing. I now do not feel any of the above anymore.

Now i've just recently completed my PADI advanced open water course and while i used to have some problems equalising during descent i usually over came this. It was actally the ascent that caused me problems. I used to get what they call "a reverse blockage" where i would experience deafness for sometimes up to a week after.

Then i found "Proplugs" which basically are the equivalent to the ones i use when flying only they are designed specifically for diving. They too are vented. Do not under any circumstances buy the non-vented earplugs for diving as that will cause real damage.

As said before the best idea is to try a beginner dive and see how he gets on.

I think if i hadn't found the "Proplugs" i probably would have had to give up diving.
 
Stevo2006 said:
Now i've just recently completed my PADI advanced open water course and while i used to have some problems equalising during descent i usually over came this. It was actally the ascent that caused me problems. I used to get what they call "a reverse blockage" where i would experience deafness for sometimes up to a week after.
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Same for me. I used to have problems 'equalising' on planes. I had to bring sweets and 2 litre bottles of water and sip/swallow for the whole ascent/landing.

I was worried I would have problems when I did my PADI course and I did - reverse blocks - it only happened on the ascent and meant I would have to go back down to clear it and then come up slower than everyone else. A bit un-nerving when you are just learning.
I used to get serious darting pains but never burst the eardrum.
 
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