My ears pop when swimming?

Question

Hi, I am going to get lifeguard certified, but first I have to be able to dive 10 feet and get a brick, but my ears always pop terribly. I think I have very sensitive ears because no one I have talked to experienced my level of pain when diving. So my question is: do your ears ever adjust to the pressure? If I worked up to it, for example practicing every 3 days or so, would my ears get used to it? And should I practice diving a little bit deeper each time, or just go all 10 feet and get used to it? thanks!

Answer 1

I am a scuba diver & certified lifeguard, and have the same problem, but it stops after I get below 25 feet.

What happens is the water pressure on the outside is higher that the air pressure in your middle ear.  This hurts until the "ears pop."  The thing is you have to go deep enough for this to happen.  Or you need to learn how to equalize the pressure.

I do the valsalva maneuver.  You hold your nose & close your mouth and breath out, slowly increasing the exhale pressure until your ears clear.  Do it as you go down, until your ears adjust.

Answer 2

gradually dive deeper oh most likely your ears are not used to it, try opening your mouth to try to pop your ears to get the pressure to lessen

Answer 3

as a fellow lifeguard, i just passed the lifeguard course and my ears pop too when i get to those depths but during the test when you have to get the brick off the bottom you can have a slow, desending dive that will help you ears adjust better and you have 1 min and 40 sec so you have a lot of time

Answer 4

try and but somting on the like chew gum or were like like a bathing cap