It was my own fault, and I admit that right at the start. It was stupid and I admit that also. So please don't tell me I was stupid. I know it already. I should have realized that if nobody I know dives with ear plugs, and if the dive shop where I inquired, and eventually bought them, said they knew nobody who used ear plugs, and had to special-order them because they didn't carry them, then ear plugs were a bad idea. But the advertisement in a dive mag said they were perfectly safe for scuba diving, and allowed equalization without hindrance. And I hate the feeling of water in my ears after a dive, so I bought them. I carried them around with me for some time before I finally got up the courage to try them on about my third day on the Nekton Pilot (the trip I just returned from).
FWIW, I have always used Scopolamine patches for seasickness, and though dizziness is one of the side effects, I had never experienced dizziness while in the water with the patch, though I have always had the patch on while diving, and also while snorkeling. So I have a lot of experience with the Scopolamine, without any problems.
On the fateful day I put on the Doc's ProPlugs earplugs and went for a dive. I was able to equalize without too much difficulty. Maybe a little slower than usual, but some days I am kind of slow going down. Once or twice I experienced some discomfort, but that was not entirely outside my experience. I halted my descent, cleared again, and was able to continue down.
Then at about 50 fsw suddenly I began to feel very dizzy and everything began to spin. I immediately halted my descent, waited until I caught my buddy's eye, signaled trouble, ear, thumb-up, and began a slow ascent. My buddy soon caught up with me. The vertigo continued, and I continued my ascent, rather disoriented. After some distance (maybe 10 feet, maybe 20, I am not sure) I heard a brief sudden release of air. I thought maybe my regulator had gone kaput, but air kept flowing. I had only been in the water a few minutes, maybe ten at most, possibly as little as five, and I was still very dizzy and concerned that I might pass out, so I skipped my safety stop. At the surface I was feeling seasick, something which I had not experienced yet on this trip, since the Scopolamine is very effective for me. Back on the boat I stripped off my wet suit and went to my cabin, where I went for the Ear-Dry, which I have used after every dive since my Cozumel trip.
But the instant the Ear-Dry hit my ear I experienced an excruciating level-10 pain. I immediately jumped into the shower and ran fresh water into my ear to try to rinse out the drops. That helped, but I still was in pain. My hearing was normal, and the consensus of the boat captain and instructors was that I had not broken my ear drum. I took two ibuprufin and after a few hours the pain had gradually disappeared. At the urging of the captain, I geared up and jumped in again, but the minute the sea water hit my ear, I was in pain. Less than from the Ear-Dry, but severe. I got right back out again.
I stayed out of the water for 24 hours after that, and then went in again with just mask, fins, and snorkel to "test the water" as it were. This time the sea water did not hurt at all, but when I tried a few free dives to maybe 10 feet, the pressure hurt, and the pain continued even after I surfaced. A few hours later, again at the urging of the captain, I went in with scuba gear and one of the instructors for a buddy, and just descended the line very slowly to the 15-foot hang bar, waited a few moments, and then slowly ascended. I experienced no discomfort at all, so then we made a dive without incident. The following day I resumed normal diving, though taking special care to descend and ascend even slower than normal and equalize carefully, and I experienced no further problems. Even the Ear-Dry did not hurt any more.
Apparently I had some inflammation or irritation as a result of the Doc's Pro-Plugs ear plugs, but no major or lasting damage. However, I consider myself very lucky, since I imagine the damage could have been worse, and the vertigo could have had more serious consequences.
I offer this account, at the risk of ridicule, for the benefit of anyone else who may have seen the advertisement for "scuba-safe" ear plugs and who might possibly be considering their use.
Let this be a warning: Do not use ear plugs for scuba, even though they claim to be special plugs for scuba and safe for diving.
Daniel
FWIW, I have always used Scopolamine patches for seasickness, and though dizziness is one of the side effects, I had never experienced dizziness while in the water with the patch, though I have always had the patch on while diving, and also while snorkeling. So I have a lot of experience with the Scopolamine, without any problems.
On the fateful day I put on the Doc's ProPlugs earplugs and went for a dive. I was able to equalize without too much difficulty. Maybe a little slower than usual, but some days I am kind of slow going down. Once or twice I experienced some discomfort, but that was not entirely outside my experience. I halted my descent, cleared again, and was able to continue down.
Then at about 50 fsw suddenly I began to feel very dizzy and everything began to spin. I immediately halted my descent, waited until I caught my buddy's eye, signaled trouble, ear, thumb-up, and began a slow ascent. My buddy soon caught up with me. The vertigo continued, and I continued my ascent, rather disoriented. After some distance (maybe 10 feet, maybe 20, I am not sure) I heard a brief sudden release of air. I thought maybe my regulator had gone kaput, but air kept flowing. I had only been in the water a few minutes, maybe ten at most, possibly as little as five, and I was still very dizzy and concerned that I might pass out, so I skipped my safety stop. At the surface I was feeling seasick, something which I had not experienced yet on this trip, since the Scopolamine is very effective for me. Back on the boat I stripped off my wet suit and went to my cabin, where I went for the Ear-Dry, which I have used after every dive since my Cozumel trip.
But the instant the Ear-Dry hit my ear I experienced an excruciating level-10 pain. I immediately jumped into the shower and ran fresh water into my ear to try to rinse out the drops. That helped, but I still was in pain. My hearing was normal, and the consensus of the boat captain and instructors was that I had not broken my ear drum. I took two ibuprufin and after a few hours the pain had gradually disappeared. At the urging of the captain, I geared up and jumped in again, but the minute the sea water hit my ear, I was in pain. Less than from the Ear-Dry, but severe. I got right back out again.
I stayed out of the water for 24 hours after that, and then went in again with just mask, fins, and snorkel to "test the water" as it were. This time the sea water did not hurt at all, but when I tried a few free dives to maybe 10 feet, the pressure hurt, and the pain continued even after I surfaced. A few hours later, again at the urging of the captain, I went in with scuba gear and one of the instructors for a buddy, and just descended the line very slowly to the 15-foot hang bar, waited a few moments, and then slowly ascended. I experienced no discomfort at all, so then we made a dive without incident. The following day I resumed normal diving, though taking special care to descend and ascend even slower than normal and equalize carefully, and I experienced no further problems. Even the Ear-Dry did not hurt any more.
Apparently I had some inflammation or irritation as a result of the Doc's Pro-Plugs ear plugs, but no major or lasting damage. However, I consider myself very lucky, since I imagine the damage could have been worse, and the vertigo could have had more serious consequences.
I offer this account, at the risk of ridicule, for the benefit of anyone else who may have seen the advertisement for "scuba-safe" ear plugs and who might possibly be considering their use.
Let this be a warning: Do not use ear plugs for scuba, even though they claim to be special plugs for scuba and safe for diving.
Daniel
