Hurt myself diving in Cabo

Just returned from four days in Cabo. On my first dive (of many planned), we dove the Corridor. Dropped down to ~60 feet. Vis wasnt too great, about 30 feet, but warm water nonetheless. About thirty minutes into the dive, as we were up and down a lot, 55 feet, then 45, then 50, 40 and so on, I felt some pressure on my ears and in normal, routine fashion, cleared them, only to hear a tearing sound followed by a lot of pain in my right ear. Also felt like water was running into my head. Enough pain to cause my right eye to tear-up. What really freaked me out and caused panic, was the fact that I was very disoriented and for a minute or so, didnt know which way was 'up'. Started breathing heavy. Very scared as I was starting to regain my bearings. I remember telling myself, 'okay, breathe easy (as possible), DONT SURFACE YET, look at my air pressure gauge and note reading (still over 1100lbs at that point), look straight ahead, try to relax, note where the other 6 divers are, breathe easy, think, think, think this through.'

I slowly ascended to ~35 feet to see if that eased the pain, no luck. Tried reclearing, no dice, still hurts like an SOB. Closed-off right ear with finger to minimize the cold, water running-in feeling, seemed to help slightly. By this time, thankfully, we all were about done and heading-up for our safety stop. Still somewhat dizzy and disoriented, three minutes were complete and we surfaced. I was relieved to be on the surface.

Back on the boat, I discussed what happened with the dive master and other divers. Nobody really knew what to advise. Needless to say, I sat out the second dive. I pretty much knew my diving for the four days was over. Very sad, but glad to be on the surface!

Back at the hotel, I saw a Doctor. He looked into my ear, yep, burst Tympanic membrane! Ouch, it still hurts, only more-so now that an hour has elapsed. Doctor also said, no more diving this trip, in fact, no snorkeling, nothing. Bummed to say the least.

Anyhow, back to my question: Has this happened to anyone here? I would like to learn more about this and how to prevent it from happening again. I have never had any problems with my ears, clearing or the like. Needless to say, I will now be apprehensive about diving again, but would like to learn more about this subject. Any advice as well?

Many thanks!!

Some people don't have a lot of receptors in the Tympanic membrane area. You could be one. If so, you simply didn't feel enough pain early enough to realise the problem. You ear will heal and hopefully you won't degrade your hearing any more than a child who gets ear tubes to prevent infections.

Make it a mechanical procedure to clear your ears on every dive, each couple of feet in increased depth and to continue clearing (gently)on reaching the destination depth.

Stan

Whether you dive again is between you and your doctors.

I second the above advice about equalizing early and often and merely would like to say that you seemed to keep your cool quite well when you got injured. I know many people could have freaked out and shot to the surface, and that could have caused many more serious problems. Good for you.

And, I'm sorry about your ear.

Hey buddy. My advice is take your dive buddy (yours truly) with you to Cabo next time... eyebrow Just kidding!

Maybe, if you want, I could get a moderator to move this to the diving medicine forum and see if you get more responses. Let me know. Later!

I know what your dizziness was caused from. I got in a bad car wreck a while back and got severe vertigo every few days for a couple of months. that has nothing to do with what you felt except for the fact that one of the tests I had to go through to check for head injuries was a equilibrium test of sorts. specifically it tested my inner ear. what they would do was spray cold water in one ear and warm water in one ear. what that would do was heat up and cool down my inner ear. my mind immidiately caused sevear vertigo. wild feeling, wouldn't recommend that to any one.

if there is a tempature difference in your inner ear you will get veritgo. since the water was able to get past the ear drum b/c of the tear it was able to cool down your inner ear. that is what caused vertigo.

it's a wild ride, I ahve never had vertigo underwater but my suggestion would be to go grab ahold of your buddy and let him do the navigation to the surface. I thought about it before I went diving and came to the conclusion that would be the best/safest thing to do.

BTW: the doc cleared me for diving again and I haven't had vertigo in a few years....Yea me!

Thanks all for the advice etc.!

I recently visited my local Doctor for follow-up, even though it was obvious when the membrane (Tympanic) had in fact healed as I couldnt blow air out of my ear

Anyhow, she took a look inside and told me it was all healed-up. I asked about the still lingering water-in-my-ear feeling. She prescribed two medicines, one being a nasal spray to help that side of my head drain. Thus far, I think its helping.

Best part of that DR. visit was two things; 1) she said to dive anytime I wish, and 2) she stated how she knows exactly what I experienced while underwater as she is a diver as well

Hooray! Now let's go diving!

When?

Chris,
I think its very commendable that you kept your cool in the middle of that trauma. A lot of divers would have completely panicked. Good luck on your next diving excursion.
Mark