Pressure while ascending

[AB Diver]

I was diving last weekend and after I got to the bottom and had equalized my ears. I started toward the top and as I got close to surface the pressure was pushing from the inside of my eardrum so hard that it felt like it would blow out. But once I broke the surface it SLOWLY subsided to normal. I am very concerned because I know I was near rupturing my eardums.

I am curious if there is some sort of reverse equalization process for the return to the surface.

 

[land shark]

You have a hood on??

Sounds like hood squeeze.

If so, let some water in before u go down.

just one thought.

Also had it happen when I had a cold comming on and didnt realize it till I hit bottom.

jim

 

[Adrian]

I am curious if there is some sort of reverse equalization process for the return to the surface.

There sure is! If your ears a bit congested it can cause what you experienced. In that case try to surface as slowly as possible I've had it happen a few times. I also experienced a serious hood squeeze because I had forgotten to let water into the hood. The funny thing was that I didn't notice anything until later. Woke up at three in the morning in pain and blood coming out of the ear. I was lucky in that I just barely didn't rupture the eardrum, just some blood vessels. It dry-docked me for a few weeks though.

Adrian

 

[AB Diver]

Thanks guys,

I did have a hood on and it is fairly snug. I will try letting some water in next time and see if it helps. I would hate to rupture an eardrum cuz I hear it's pretty painful.

 

[immerlustig]

AB Diver

What you experienced is called a 'reverse block'. Reverse Block or reverse squeeze results when an airspace is equalized on the descent, but air fails to exit on the ascent. Affected airspaces are the middle ear, sinuses and in some cases teeth with bad fillings.

Often this happens when one has a cold. Also some people notice that towards the end of a long diving session equalising becomes more difficult as well.

i don't think that a tight hood is responsible for a reverse block. it can only cause problems during descent because the middle ear is equalised together with the sinuses, but the outer ear is not because the hood prevents water to get to the eardrum. eventually the eardrum will bend outwards. some people make little holes into the hood where the ears are to allow water to enter the outer ear.

Ascending slowly is difficult, obviously, but in my experience a reverse block builds up over time. equalising during descent might not be as easy as normal or i am a little congested. that's the (latest) time when i finish my dive session.


regards

roland