Help! How to quickly clear head congestion in time for tomorrow's charter?

[humanbeing]

Hey all,

I've come down with a bit of a head cold today, or perhaps just a robust case of the sniffles, and I have a charter booked for tomorrow. Does anyone know of any quick fixes/methods/medicines I can use so that I won't have problems tomorrow? I don't have allergies, so I know it isn't that. Suggestions much appreciated!

 

[Lobzilla]

The question is whether you can equalize the pressure in your middle ear and sinuses. If not, you are in for some pain and potentially permanent damage.

Pseudoephedrine is commonly used to deal with congestion but there are two caveats. For one, it may wear off during the dive and you will not be able to equalize from there on (ouch). Secondly, take a look at DAN's take on pseudoephedrine in conjunction with EANx here.

In your position, I would explain my situation to the charter place and ask whether a reschedule is possible instead of chancing it.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor and my suggestions are not intended to replace the advice of a medical specialist.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

The most conservative (perhaps best) choice is to not dive.

If you insist on attempting to dive, then equalization will probably be your main concern. You should worry about ear equalization and sinus equalization. You may want to give Neti-pot (saline irrigation) a try. The saline acts as a mild decongestant. Oral OTC decongestants such as pseudoephedrine might also be helpful. You may want to try the nasal spray Afrin (oxymetazoline). Be sure not to take Afrin for more than three days.

Whatever you try, make sure that the stuff doesn't wear off in the middle of a dive...or else you could be in a world of hurt. Also, be aware of any potential interactions between the decongestant and whatever else you are taking (prescription meds, seasickness meds, etc.).

Be prepared to descend very slowly. Head colds are often associated with sinus squeeze, so don't be surprised if you get an ice-pick-to-the-forehead sensation during descent. This assumes that you are able to equalize your ears. If either equalization of the sinuses or the ears is problematic, then you should thumb the dive.

You should know that lung infections can create a dangerous situation for divers due to the increased risk of pneumothorax and/or arterial gas embolism. The mechanism for this involves mucus accumulation which creates an obstruction in the respiratory system.

Anecdotal reports raise the possibility that viral infections can increase the DCS risk. If you plan to dive, dive extremely conservatively.

Good luck.

 

[humanbeing]

I think I've decided not to dive tomorrow. A waste of money, which sucks. Hopefully they'll let me reschedule.

 

[Leejnd]

I think you've made a wise choice. It's just not good to dive when you are not feeling well. Even if you could clear up your congestion well enough to be able to equalize (and there really is no perfect solution to that), if you have a head cold you are simply not at the top of your game, physically OR mentally. Not how you want to be when entering an alien environment in which you need to be able to react quickly if something goes wrong.

I've had to walk away from hundreds of dollars in boat fees myself, when I came down with a cold when it was too late to cancel. Sucks...but the boat has to have a cancellation cut-off, as they may not be able to fill your slot. I don't know any boats that will refund your fees when canceling within 24 hours.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[nshuff]

Sudafed little red pills, a cold hasn't kept me from diving with them.

 

[TSandM]

I sat out a whole day of diving on our trip to Indonesia because of a cold. It sucks. But I'm glad you made the right decision, because you can't count on medications to render you safe to dive, and a reverse block can result in permanent inner ear damage.

 

[FuzzyNutz]

I agree, you made the wise choice. Who know's, maybe you would have been alright, but if things did hit the fan, you would be sorry for life. It sucks to have something planned with money invested (and even more if you have traveled), but in the light of reality, your ears and head are worth the sacrifice of a $100.

 

[j.doe]

Unconventional, but I have tried the following with good success.

1) Take a echanatia (sorry not sure on the spelling)
2) Take a vitamin c supplement
3) Hydrate well
4) Take a humidifier and or steaming kettel with you under a towel - breath deeply - this will help loosen the conjestion
5) Get to bed early

6) And most importantly - hope you can kick the bug and not miss out on heaps of fun.

 

[Brian Gilpin]

Descending is not really a big problem. You either can descend or you cant in which case you call the dive. No serious safety issue other than a very annoyed buddy.

The real problem is with the ascent because there is no choice as you eventually have to come up. If your sudafed wears off underwater you could be facing serious and painful injury. I have come close to having this happen and it is unsettling. Fortunately I had lots of air and my sinuses eventually cleared. No sudafed for me.