Vertigo

TMHeimer

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• May 29, 2009

• #1

This happened to me four times over 2 years: I ascend and get about 10 seconds of vertigo half way up. I know it could be a reverse block if one of my eustachian (sp?) tubes clears and the other doesn't. Problem is that none of the times was I at all congested and one of the times it happened to my buddy as well (we were coming up from a wreck in 30 feet of mixed salt - fresh water in a tidal river). None of my other 123 dives had me experience this. What could be the reason?

 

Joe-Diver

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• May 29, 2009

• #2

Hard to say really...I get it on ascent in the last 10 feet, but only if I look up and see the shimmering surface....if I look up, check the surface, then make the final 10 feet while looking out, at an angle or down I'm fine. I suspect it has something to do with depressurization of the ear affecting the vestibular coupled with visual stimulation of the shimmering surface.

 

DarkCoffee

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• May 29, 2009

• #3

Were you wearing a hood? I've found that if the hood is tight, I can get slight vertigo upon ascent. Letting some water in on both sides of the hood equalizes the pressure (for me) and the vertigo goes away.

 

OP

TMHeimer

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• May 29, 2009

• #4

Yeah, I wear a hood. Odd that it only happened the 4 times. I'm not prone to dizziness, seasickness, etc., so it's unlikely looking up was a factor.

 

M

MarKon

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• May 29, 2009

• #5

I get vertigo for a short period (less than a minute) when cold water chills the ear canal; it is not uncommon. The "only happening 4 times" makes it tough to figure out, but could this play a part?

 

Jayde323

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• May 29, 2009

• #6

Iv'e experienced vertigo a few times while diving. It took some time, but I finally figured out that it only happened when I took 2 allergy meds (Flonase and Zyrtec) rather than just one. I dropped the Zyrtec and have had no issues with vertigo since.

 

OP

TMHeimer

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• May 29, 2009

• #7

Markon--Maybe-The water temp. was 40F, but it did happen once in Fla. at 60F.