AboutJesse Scott Expertise I can help you with questions about what to expect when learning how to SCUBA dive; how to select a good instructor and dive shop; and how to begin diving after you have been trained. I can help out with gear questions. I am always happy to discuss topics you learned in training but would like to know more detail. I can recommend additional training and books on SCUBA diving. I can discuss NC wreck diving also. I can also discuss what`s involved in learning becoming more involved in the sport and being a rescue diver, dive master, or instructor. NOTE!! I cannot answer medical questions because I am not a doctor.
Experience I am an SSI Master Instructor and a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. I have over 500 dives in a wide variety of diving environments and scenarios. I have been diving for 10 years. I also teach numerous specialties including Nitrox.
Organizations PADI, SSI, NSS-CDS, DAN, NACD, PSI
Education/Credentials PADI OWSI (Open Water, Advanced OW, Rescue, Divemaster)
SSI MI (OW, Advanced OW; Night, Deep, Wreck, Boat, Nitrox, Navigation, Night, Computer, Search and Recovery, Dry Suit, Advanced Buoyancy Specialties)
Emergency First Response CPR and First Aid Instructor
DAN Diving Emergency Management Provider and Instructor
PSI Visual Tank Inspector
NACD, NSS-CDS Cavern Diver
TDI Advanced Nitrox and Decompression diver
Awards and Honors SSI Master Instructor
SSI Gold 500 Instructor
SSI Gold 500 Diver
SSI Century Instructor
SSI Century Diver
Question went diving, for the first time ever, in the red sea at Marsa Alam Egypt 3wks ago. loved it & want to do some more. But when we got to 5mtrs deep I had a lot of pain in my ears, tried to clear by squeezing nose, came up a couple of mtrs & pain susbsided. Carried on diving for about 1hr around the reef but each time went deeper the pain came back. Ever since my hearing has been affected, every now & then ears pop like being on a plane & it becomes normal, but after a while the hearing goes again, doctor says ear drums are ok & to wait. I would like to take up diving but if it does this to my hearing I am not so sure, is the hearing loss normal, if so how do you clear,have tried holding nose whilst blowing. help
Answer Hello Dave, I'm sorry to hear about your ear issues. First let me state that I am not a doctor so I cannot provide any medical advice or contradict any recommendation he has given.
Hearing loss and pain or not normal for diving. In your training you should have been instructed with techniques that show you how to properly equalize the air pressure inside your ears to that of the pressure of the surrounding water. Typically this is with the Valsalva technique (gently pinching the nose and blowing, which forces air up to the back of the ear drums). This should be started on the surface before descending and then must be continued each time you descend deeper (about every 6 - 10 feet). If there is any pain experienced during descent the action is to ascend until the pain goes away, attempt to equalize again, and descend slowly. If still unable, then the dive should be aborted.
During training, we teach folks how to do this in a pool first while slowly descending toward the deeper end. In this manner they become accustomed to the technique in a controlled environment.
If you did not receive this training you should get it or have an instructor work with you to improve your technique. Prior to that you should gain approval from your doctor to prevent harmful damage to your ears and hearing. Good luck, Jesse.
