Thrawn
Registered
Hi all, new to the board here. Just looking for some facts and reasoned opinions.
A couple weeks back I was doing my final open water dives. I had already completed my first couple a day earlier, they were flawless. Well, before we started (waiting for the instructor), my SCUBA "buddy" and I were doing some snorkling and skin diving. I was experimenting with the light hyperventalating technique, went down about 5m (equalizing all the way), I equalized again and felt my eardrum do something funny. I immediatly surfaced and everything felt fine, not adverse affects (no discomfort/pain or dizzyness).
So I continued on with the remainder of my openwater dives. The first one of the day (OW Dive #3) went fine, ear seemed a little cold inside, but ok. The second dive I had a bit of discomfort, but no pain. This was the last dive for me to get certified, and I didn't want to cut it off so close to the finish (maybe stupid, but I'd do it again). Upon the final ascent, I felt my ear blow out at about 2m from the surface, kinda hurt. Got out of the water and my ear was leaking.
Anyways, I saw the Dr. he said it was a perforated eardrum as I had expected. I did it a few years back to my other ear while skydiving. No big deal, it's a small hole and should heal in a few weeks. Dr. also said I should stick to snorkling. I disagree, diving is something I've wanted to do as part of my lifestyle since I was very young, I'm not giving it up (especially now that I've gotten a taste of it). In addition to that, since I had not had any problems prior to the incident where I was skin diving earlier that day combined with no issues diving the previous day, my eardrums should be fine (especially since my previously perforated eardrum (from skydiving) held up longer than the other.
Anyone out there with similar experiences? I know I've seen some interesting earcovers that I'd be willing to use if this issue contines to be a problem (I don't think it will be).
A couple weeks back I was doing my final open water dives. I had already completed my first couple a day earlier, they were flawless. Well, before we started (waiting for the instructor), my SCUBA "buddy" and I were doing some snorkling and skin diving. I was experimenting with the light hyperventalating technique, went down about 5m (equalizing all the way), I equalized again and felt my eardrum do something funny. I immediatly surfaced and everything felt fine, not adverse affects (no discomfort/pain or dizzyness).
So I continued on with the remainder of my openwater dives. The first one of the day (OW Dive #3) went fine, ear seemed a little cold inside, but ok. The second dive I had a bit of discomfort, but no pain. This was the last dive for me to get certified, and I didn't want to cut it off so close to the finish (maybe stupid, but I'd do it again). Upon the final ascent, I felt my ear blow out at about 2m from the surface, kinda hurt. Got out of the water and my ear was leaking.
Anyways, I saw the Dr. he said it was a perforated eardrum as I had expected. I did it a few years back to my other ear while skydiving. No big deal, it's a small hole and should heal in a few weeks. Dr. also said I should stick to snorkling. I disagree, diving is something I've wanted to do as part of my lifestyle since I was very young, I'm not giving it up (especially now that I've gotten a taste of it). In addition to that, since I had not had any problems prior to the incident where I was skin diving earlier that day combined with no issues diving the previous day, my eardrums should be fine (especially since my previously perforated eardrum (from skydiving) held up longer than the other.
Anyone out there with similar experiences? I know I've seen some interesting earcovers that I'd be willing to use if this issue contines to be a problem (I don't think it will be).
