Lesson for the day....... Unless there is some abnormal pathology in the outer ear canal, it is impossible for water to trap in the outer ear canal when you stand up. God is a great Engineer & designed them with the same idea as he did your nose. Have you noted that your nose points down so we don't drown in a rain storm. Considering the nasal canals go straight back from the nose across the roof of the mouth, the nose pointing down was an obvious design feature. Now the external ear canals were designed with the same thought in mind. The extenal canals are pointed up & forward toward the back of the eye. Please note this is a very elementary description of the ear anatomy. This design prevents water or other stuff from entering the ears, except in kids as they insert beans, candy, paper, & many other items in any available oriface to see if they can. Hense I have had the experience in removing said items & others multiple times. God didn't make mistakes in the ear & nose design...... therefore we don't drown or lose hearing if we go out in the rain. The sensation of "water in the ear" is a sysmptom of injury or damage to the middle ear. Which can not get water into it, typically, unless the integrity of the typanic membrane has been compromised, ie: ruptured, torn, or perferated in some way. When you get a sensation of water running around in the ear you are actually "hearing" the fluid moving around in the semi-circular canal structure housed in the inner ear. This injury is typically caused by an over pressure injury on ascent or descent. Prevention is simple...... clear your ears properly. My teaching years, which number way more than I care to admit, & my medical training has shown this to be the true problem. Water just can't be "trapped" in the normal outer ear canal!
Pain after introduction of alcohol in the outer ear can be a very serious problem as it indicates an injury to the soft tissues of the ear & should never be done. Just as alcohol stings in a cut of the hand it does so in the ear. And the tissues of the ear are a lot more delicate than those of your finger. If pain occurs immediatelly seek medical attention.......PERIOD...... before you dive again! If you get alcohol into the middle ear, permanent damage is very likely to occur & can cause permanent damage to the ear & your hearing. One last thing..... NEVER EVER PUT A Q-TIP INTO THE EAR. One of the worst ruptures of the tempanic membrane was caused by a Boy Scout at Sea Base by using a q-tip to get the water out of his ear. Result was a doctor visit, loss of diving & snorkeling for the week & for a minimum of 4 to 6 months.
And an opinion........ Never use ear plugs in the ear while diving in anyway!!!!
Grady MSDT REMCS PEMT EMSC
Pain after introduction of alcohol in the outer ear can be a very serious problem as it indicates an injury to the soft tissues of the ear & should never be done. Just as alcohol stings in a cut of the hand it does so in the ear. And the tissues of the ear are a lot more delicate than those of your finger. If pain occurs immediatelly seek medical attention.......PERIOD...... before you dive again! If you get alcohol into the middle ear, permanent damage is very likely to occur & can cause permanent damage to the ear & your hearing. One last thing..... NEVER EVER PUT A Q-TIP INTO THE EAR. One of the worst ruptures of the tempanic membrane was caused by a Boy Scout at Sea Base by using a q-tip to get the water out of his ear. Result was a doctor visit, loss of diving & snorkeling for the week & for a minimum of 4 to 6 months.
And an opinion........ Never use ear plugs in the ear while diving in anyway!!!!
Grady MSDT REMCS PEMT EMSC