getting water out of ears

[DandyDon]

An easy way to drop the percentage of alcohol a bit without having to use distilled water is to simply use "rubbing alcohol". Isopropyl alcohol at drug store comes in two varieties, 70% and 90+%. Just use the 70% variety, aka rubbing alcohol, in a 50/50 mixture with vinegar if you want to reduce the alcohol percentage.

Ah ha! I had not noticed but I have been using the cheaper 70% bottle, so I am there.

33% of 90% = 30% vs 50% of 70% = 35%: about the same effect...!

The venigar is already reduced to 5% acidity, so 33% of 5% = 1.65% vs 50% of 5% = 2.5%: not much difference.

Thanks!

 

[jbilicska]

DocVikingo had a new article published in the DAN magazine - nice, expanded discussion - including why high alcohol or hydrogen peroxide can be bad. I use 50-50 alcohol-vinegar, but it was interesting to see him recommend 33-33-33 mix including distilled water. The most recent issue, I think - not yet on their web site.

Once again thanks for all the help . I would love to read DocVikingo's article once it's published. You have to trust the good Doctor>

Joe B

 

[ams511]

When I have a problem with water in the ears it is generally due to wax buildup. A doctor told me q-tips are bad because everytime you use one a bit of wax gets compressed in the ear. Overtime you get a build up. You may want to use hydrogen peroxide to clean the ears before diving and then use one of the other rememdies while you are diving to prevent infection.

 

[DandyDon]

Once again thanks for all the help . I would love to read DocVikingo's article once it's published. You have to trust the good Doctor>

Joe B

It's published - in the latest DAN Alert magazine. You don't get it?