How to protect ears during diving

The "Achilles heel" of the diver is definitely the ear. And this is the weakest point of those who go under the water, both in apnea and with the apparatus. Lesions of the famous "three compartments (inner, middle and outer) ear are much more frequent than what is considered - by definition - the disease of those who dive: decompression sickness.

Here there are ten rules to protect the eardrum during scuba diving:

Avoid diving during acute inflammation of upper respiratory tract (laryngitis, tracheitis, bronchitis).

In case of difficulty to compensate for the diver should immediately stop the descent.

To avoid stressing the tympanic membrane, to compensate as needed, since the first few feet of descent.

Avoid large compensatory efforts: they can create congestion in the eustachian tube and worse.

When trouble occurs during the descent, make up, get back up to the disappearance of

discomfort, do the maneuver correctly and continue downhill. In the event that - after several attempts – not  run-off was possible, stop the dive.

Divers in business (at least 5-6 dives a year), should undergo a specialized control of

external ear canal and ear drum, at least once every 12 months.

To know how to correctly perform at least two maneuvers clearing (swallowing, anteropulsione

of the jaw, Valsalva maneuver, maneuver-Marcante Odaglia).

Knowing how to stop a dive - problems of compensation - can mean care not to preclude

the opportunity to make more for several months because of damage to the tympanic membrane.

Avoid diving if you're cool, stop the dive if you are unable to compensate.

Never use any type of decongestant drug or vessel constricting, in the days and hours

previous dive.