MercutioATC
Contributor
I did my cert open water dives 2 weeks ago and wound up with mild middle ear barotrauma (blood in my midle ear, but no permanent damage). My ENT says it should clear up in a week or two with Flonase and prescription Sudafed. I'll hopefully be diving again in 3 or 4 weeks.
My issue is that, although I was with a very good shop, PADI seems to think that most divers clear with the "hold your nose and blow" routine, so they really don't teach anything else. My ENT (also a DAN doctor) suggested quite a few additional ways to equalize (the Toynbee Maneuver, the Lowry Technique, the Edmonds Technique, the Frenzel Maneuver, etc.). I have great success with some of these other techniques that were not taught to me in the PADI class. If any new diver has trouble equalizing, I'd really suggest looking into other techniques.
I have yet to actually try any of them diving but, on the surface, I can feel that some of them work with my eustachain tubes and some do not.
My issue is that, although I was with a very good shop, PADI seems to think that most divers clear with the "hold your nose and blow" routine, so they really don't teach anything else. My ENT (also a DAN doctor) suggested quite a few additional ways to equalize (the Toynbee Maneuver, the Lowry Technique, the Edmonds Technique, the Frenzel Maneuver, etc.). I have great success with some of these other techniques that were not taught to me in the PADI class. If any new diver has trouble equalizing, I'd really suggest looking into other techniques.
I have yet to actually try any of them diving but, on the surface, I can feel that some of them work with my eustachain tubes and some do not.