I've been interested in diving and started looking into it in the last few months. My Father worked for the city fire department for 25 years and was also certified (not sure with who/what agency, didn't ask) and was a volunteer on some sort of city dive rescue/recovery team which is what originally got me interested.. He retired about 6 months ago from both the fire department and diving but I'd expressed interest in learning to dive/get certified and he said that if I was serious, he still knew some guys and could probably get me in a class for a cheap cost/maybe free. The fire department payed for his certification so he wasn't sure on cost but he did opt to buy his own equipment and said it was serviced about 2 months before he retired and it was mine if I decided to do it. (guessing that servicing has to be done yearly or something?)
Anyway, As much as I'd love to do it, I'm not sure if I can. My wife and I purchased a house a couple years ago with a 10ft deep swimming pool and I've tried more times than I can count and I just don't know how or can't equalize the pressure in my ears. The pain at 8+ feet is hell and only gets worse the deeper I go. I've read a lot of articles on it and tried everything but I just won't happen. It's been a few years and I might be wrong but I remember my father saying something about having to go 70-80ft down during the certification test etc among other things. The deepest I've ever been us 12ft deep due to the excruciating pain. No way in the world I'd be able to make it much deeper than that. I'm afraid that it would just be a waste of time/money if I'm unable to relieve the pressure. Otherwise I can't go past 10ft for more than a few seconds because of the pain.
I'm 30yrs old now, but when I was a kid I had killer ear aches that usually occurred at least twice a summer since I was in our swimming pool daily but around the age of 12-13 years old they just stopped and never had one since. I never had tubes in my ears although I probably should have looking back but i wonder if my ear issues has anything to do with me not being able to equalize the pressure?
Has anyone else had this problem relieving the pressure in their ears? I'm sure that If I can't do it, then thats pretty much a deal breaker for diving right?
Thanks,
Anyway, As much as I'd love to do it, I'm not sure if I can. My wife and I purchased a house a couple years ago with a 10ft deep swimming pool and I've tried more times than I can count and I just don't know how or can't equalize the pressure in my ears. The pain at 8+ feet is hell and only gets worse the deeper I go. I've read a lot of articles on it and tried everything but I just won't happen. It's been a few years and I might be wrong but I remember my father saying something about having to go 70-80ft down during the certification test etc among other things. The deepest I've ever been us 12ft deep due to the excruciating pain. No way in the world I'd be able to make it much deeper than that. I'm afraid that it would just be a waste of time/money if I'm unable to relieve the pressure. Otherwise I can't go past 10ft for more than a few seconds because of the pain.
I'm 30yrs old now, but when I was a kid I had killer ear aches that usually occurred at least twice a summer since I was in our swimming pool daily but around the age of 12-13 years old they just stopped and never had one since. I never had tubes in my ears although I probably should have looking back but i wonder if my ear issues has anything to do with me not being able to equalize the pressure?
Has anyone else had this problem relieving the pressure in their ears? I'm sure that If I can't do it, then thats pretty much a deal breaker for diving right?
Thanks,