Wet Equalization Experiences & Techniques

[jome]

Once about a year ago I first read about the "snorting saltwater" tip. I tried it, but got mixed with the unit conversions, and accidentally made a solution that was about 3 times stronger than isotonic.

My nose was glued shut for 2 days. So at least for me, it didn't really help. It was running like a tap and absolutely not one single molecule of air would pass through it

With isotonic solution, I've never had problems (although I don't find that it really helps that much either...).

Maybe some people (me) are more sensitive...If I get water in my nose at the pool or in a lake, it will be running for a day or two straight...Like some kind of allregic reaction almost.

 

[Lachlan]

Hey guys,

I tried a little experiment yesterday just for my own benefit. I made a 0.9% isotonic soloution using steralised (twice boiled anyway) water and added non-iodized salt (after boiling so as not to get volumes wrong from evaporation). First I used some of this solution to clean my sinuses out as to reduce the risk of infection. I then put some of the saline solution into my mask and snorted some into the nasal cavity. I used a very weak valvalsa equalising technique as Don stated using Frenzal caused too much pressure on his ears. This instantly put water in them and they felt fine.

I repeated this process twice (Only a small amount that did not fill them right up) and then opened the Eustachian tubes to let the water out. Most of it drained out straight away with out a problem but I could still feel some in my ears. I tried to equalise again and could hear a gurgling sound inside my ears. This noise could also be heard by my Mum so it was obvious water was still trapped. I lay down to see if that would help but after a while the side facing the ground became sore. This pain developed after about 2 hours and it became quite painful at one stage. I stayed lying down and eventually it went away but the water was still trapped so I used the 1/3 each of rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and vinegar and put it in my outer ear. This is as Don recommended earlier. My ears hurt for a little longer as I kept trying to open the tubes to let the water out but with no success. I also had the side effect of being able to smell the isotonic solution which led me to believe it was slowly coming out of my ears and back into my sinuses. Also every now and then one of my eyes would drip what seemed like a teardrop (only one eye though which is strange!!) Nine hours later the feeling of water in my ear was gone and today everything feels normal.

I found this process very easy to undertake and wasn't too bad at all. The hour of pain was bearable and my hearing was fine also. This also seemed to help lubricate the E tubes as I can now equalise my sticky ear lots easier than previously.

Just thought I would share my experience. Will definately try it again. Give it a go.

Catchya, Lachlan

 

[efattah]

Peter S.,

Although using your ballast in the pool as a measure of buoyant lung capacity can be useful, keep in mind that your body fat percentage also plays a role in your buoyancy. If after a few months you need to change your neckweight mass, it could be either because of a lung volume change or from a body fat % change.