Blood from nose?

[TracyN]

After returning to the surface from a dive I was told that I had a small amount of blood under my nose. Might this have just been a small capillary or blood vessel that burst because of pressure? Is this a common occurrence? Thanks

[currier]

I'm no doctor, but did you feel a sinus squeeze during the dive?

This has happened to me a few times after ascent ... but it was preceeded by pain between my eyes, over my teeth, and in my cheekbones.

In my situation - sinus congestion ... unfortunately, this happens often to me, so I often take decongestants (pseudoephedrine) prior to a dive.

EVERY instructor and EVERY trainig agency advises against this - I am not arguing with them, nor am I suggesting others should disregard their own basic diving training.

[TracyN]

There might have been a little squeeze but it was nothing too uncomfortable

[TSandM]

It's not uncommon to have a small amount of bleeding from excessively vigorous efforts at equalization. If there was no pain associated with it, and it isn't recurrent, I wouldn't worry about it. If it becomes habitual or painful, you probably ought to visit an ENT doc. There are quite a few possibilities as causes of repetitive nosebleeds from diving. Some of them are technique issues, but some are anatomic or pathologic problems.

[DandyDon]

In my situation - sinus congestion ... unfortunately, this happens often to me, so I often take decongestants (pseudoephedrine) prior to a dive.

EVERY instructor and EVERY trainig agency advises against this - I am not arguing with them, nor am I suggesting others should disregard their own basic diving training.

They do? Pseudoephedrine has been popular with divers for 10 years that I know of. It's more difficult to obtain since federal controls put it behind the counter, IDs required, sales limited and recorded, as OTC drug companies have been pushing easier to market drugs. (It was controlled because Meth producers were buying the reds in mass quantities to use it in their recipes.) I still find it, but in 30 mg tabs, not the 60s I used to get, and I have to pay more for it - but I take it daily for allergies along with an antihistamine.

Most divers use it to aid in equalizing. I wish Instructors would encourage OW students to watch this 45 minute video: Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page

My home bud has always had issues equalizing, from our OW check out dives when he got a barotrauma finishing the course, all trips, all practice dives, anytime - so he uses all the tricks in the video, plus antihistamines & pseudoephedrin, and a Nettiepot. I remember him coming back to the boat on his first trip to Cozumel with blood & snot both in his mask, which he smeared across his bald forehead once once on the boat.

Tracy, you might want to work on your equalizing - watch the video, equalize earlier & more often including on the boat ride out to the site, and consider other ideas. The decongestant has saved many dives, but it's not for everyone. If you try it, first try it at home when you have nothing planned just in case it keeps you awake or bothers you. Edit: Oh, I see that you are an RN. Ok, so you know about Pseudoephedrine, cool.

[currier]

Your advice is helpful, DD - and right on the money IMHO.

But ...

They do? Pseudoephedrine has been popular with divers for 10 years that I know of.

My training (which I admit, I disregard in this case) taught me not to use a decongestant due to the risk of it losing its effect underwater and suffering from a reverse block upon ascent ...

[DandyDon]

My training (which I admit, I disregard in this case) taught me not to use a decongestant due to the risk of it losing its effect underwater and suffering from a reverse block upon ascent ...

Ah, Ok - thanks. Something to consider indeed.

[Mark Derail]

Most likely cause - over equalizing. Or, pushing too much / too hard air when pinching the nose.

Happened to me often in the beginning, I'm prone to easily to nose bleeds.

Equalize more gently, take your time going down. Who cares if you're the last one down. You'll have more air than they do at the end.

[fdarden]

DD when I was certed by PADI in 2000, using decongestants was pretty much encouraged. I just completed the PADI Nitrox and Advanced Open Water, and in their courseware they strongly discourage the use of decongestants.So there has been a change in attitude about this. I used to dose the night before, and 1 hour before each dive (what I was taught in 2000) whether it was needed or not, because I was taught to be safe, rather than sorry, and I think back then they did not fully understand ephedrine's interaction with the body. I too have had an occasional nosebleed and I see others with this semi-regularly. So it is not totally unusual, but if it persists or gets worse/has other symptoms you might want to get it checked out.

[rebelrph]

As previously stated many agencies discourage the use of decongestants for all the reasons listed AND many divers use them regularly also for all the reasons listed, however NITROX divers need to remember they are at a greater risk of CNS oxygen toxicity if using such meds.

Just food for thought

TC