Hoods

[JetHeller]

Hi, this may be somewhat of a stupid quetion, but here goes.

I have been spearfishing for a while. I have never used a hood. Do hoods keep water out your ears? The reason I ask is because when I dive deep my ears start to hurt and I have to plug my nose and blow to compensate. I was wondering if wearing a hood makes this situation any better?

Thank you.

 

[Oldsarge]

"Compensating" is what you are supposed to do when you dive. It prevents burst eardrums with attendent deafness. Hoods are not supposed to keep you from equalizing the pressure in your ears. In fact, it is usually considered good policy to take a hot needle or ice pick and melt a hole right at your ear level on each side to let water in so that you can equalize.