A question for experienced swimmers and deep divers?

Question

I just went to a freshwater spring today, which was extremely fun, and although i can hold my breath far longer then any of my cousins, and many of the people there, my ears cant bear the pressure of the water. When i get to probably about 17 -20 ish feet, i have earsplitting pain, like water goes in them and then like i dunno, hits my eardrum? I tried popping my ears, and that doesnt have the desired effect.. Do any deep divers know a good way to protect your ears from the pressure?

Answer 1

For one thing, I would be wary of going that deep if you are inexperienced, especially in water as cold as that from spring fed sources.  I won't get into the lecture, just be careful, okay?  The guy above was right, you may try slowing your decent and ascent.  Some people never adjust to the pressure differences well.  Typically if flying or dring up and down hills bother you, then so will diving.  Don't quote me here, but I believe ears require pressure equalization about every 6-10 foot in water.  The slower the pressurization takes place, usually the easier it is on the person.  Honestly though, without proper training and practice, I would advise staying in shallower water.

Answer 2

I'm not entirely sure what you did, but as soon as you start descending you should use one hand to grab your nose and gently blow against it to pop out your eardrums. Search for "valsalva maneuver" for a more thorough discussion of this.

Answer 3

It happened to me before. I consulted several master divers and they suggested it could be I went down too quickly and did not have sufficient time to normalise my body to the air pressure. The next few dives, I descent at a much leisure speed and my eardrums did not encounter the pain. Practice safety when in water. At any time you feel pain, you need to ascent to reduce the pain and pressure. During the ascent, always ensure you have ample time for several safety stops. This is a very important and would after these dives, make you feel less fatigue or less decompression sickness (dcs).

Answer 4

Nothing to add here, other than Cyberg's answer happens to be the most correct.

Answer 5

knoodelhed is the only one who knows what he's talking about.  The speed at which you descend has nothing to do with pressure equalization.  You must perform the valsalva manuver.  Only that will equalize the pressure, not slowing down your descent.  Check my source list.  I have a lot of experience skin diving in Okinawa and the Philippines and have learned a lot from experience and other divers.  Before I learned how to equalize the pressure in my mask I actually ruptured blood vessels in my eyes!  You don't want that happening to your ear drum so next time perform a valsalva about every 3-6 feet or right before it starts to hurt.