Hearing Some Popping

[ScubaDawg007]

Hi,

I went diving last Saturday, even though I had Strep throat. Before leaving the house I took a couple of Sudafed, filled the ears with Auro-Dry, and snorted some Afrin. About ten feet down I began having trouble clearing, so I decided to stay at ten feet, and dive parallel to the shallow lakes bank. When I ascended small bubbles began fizzing out of my left ear, and I couldn`t hear that great.

This Monday I went to the doctor, he gave me some antibiotics, and said my ears were blocked.

Today my ears seem to be clear, but I`m hearing some popping. Here`s my question; do you think I will be able to dive tomorrow (Saturday)? I was thinking about going to Tyler State Park, and staying shallow. Yea, I want to dive bad.

 

[brutus_scuba]

I have no idea... I'd see a dcotor or wait till someone who knows a lot more then me responds, but I'll give you an A effort and congratulate you on having a huge heart for diving.

 

[merxlin]

I would make sure your ears are clear first. The highest level of equalization is needed between 0 and 33 ft. The other issue is pumping a bunch of chemicals in to your body then diving. Not always a good idea until you know how YOU will react. You are a new diver so nothing is routine yet. You won't be able to tell what is normal, what is drug/illness induced or if you have a real problem. If it was me, I'd sit this weekend out.

 

[Airborne!]

If you have to ask here then in your own mind you probably already know that you should not dive.

Part of Diving is about making smart decisions. Don’t compound your initial mistake with another by diving again before your ready.

 

[ScubaDawg007]

Thanks guys for your speedy reply`s. I guess I will wait until tomorrow morning to make a decision. I just noticed that under "Similar Threads" someone said they heard popping for over a month. So it probably boils down to if I feel the ears are clear, or not. What a great board filled with invaluable information.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

Thanks guys for your speedy reply`s. I guess I will wait until tomorrow morning to make a decision. I just noticed that under "Similar Threads" someone said they heard popping for over a month. So it probably boils down to if I feel the ears are clear, or not. What a great board filled with invaluable information.

Mistake #1: diving with strep throat
Mistake #2: medicating yourself so you "could" dive

Are the antibiotics oral or drops for the ear canal?

It does not boil down to if you "feel the ears are clear" it boils down to having a specialist clear you for diving.
Middle ear infections need to be gone, and your eardrums need to be intact, before you try to pull off another dive.

 

[ScubaBabe22]

Hi,

I went diving last Saturday, even though I had Strep throat. Before leaving the house I took a couple of Sudafed, filled the ears with Auro-Dry, and snorted some Afrin. About ten feet down I began having trouble clearing, so I decided to stay at ten feet, and dive parallel to the shallow lakes bank. When I ascended small bubbles began fizzing out of my left ear, and I couldn`t hear that great.

This Monday I went to the doctor, he gave me some antibiotics, and said my ears were blocked.

Today my ears seem to be clear, but I`m hearing some popping. Here`s my question; do you think I will be able to dive tomorrow (Saturday)? I was thinking about going to Tyler State Park, and staying shallow. Yea, I want to dive bad.

I'd wait! I had the misfortune to get a cold on vacation (in warm, sunny Belize of all places:shakehead ) and while I waited till I was better, and took a decongestant, my one ear bothered me.

Now, on planes, or any sort of altitude change, my ear bothers me slightly and pops and cracks and all that fun stuff. Wait until you're 100%:no

 

[Trever]

I have had the ear popping thing for 6 weeks before, iritating as hell. It finally cleared up for me.