papax17 0 #1 July 21, 2005 I did my first tandem this past monday and I am completely addicted, but I have a few questions. My first question is pretty important...As I descended to the Earth my ears started to hurt, and when I landed they hurt a lot and the pain eventually went away. As I keep jumping will this problem go away? Second question. I am very excited about the sport and I am in love with everything about it, but I am a student and I got to save money for AFF. It will probably take a couple of months to get the money, and the season will probably be over. Would it be better to wait until next spring? Even tho I really dont want to.. Thanks in advance papa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tcnelson 1 #2 July 21, 2005 QuoteAs I descended to the Earth my ears started to hurt, and when I landed they hurt a lot and the pain eventually went away. As I keep jumping will this problem go away? this is due to your ears going from a low pressure environment to a high pressure environment (high altitude to low altitude). when you're under canopy, hold your nose and blow. this will force air into your inner ear to equalize the pressure. QuoteWould it be better to wait until next spring? i didn't. "Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tso-d_chris 0 #3 July 21, 2005 QuoteMy first question is pretty important...As I descended to the Earth my ears started to hurt, and when I landed they hurt a lot and the pain eventually went away. As I keep jumping will this problem go away? Probably. QuoteSecond question. I am very excited about the sport and I am in love with everything about it, but I am a student and I got to save money for AFF. It will probably take a couple of months to get the money, and the season will probably be over. Would it be better to wait until next spring? Even tho I really dont want to.. Probably. One of the best ways to avoid retaking many levels of AFF is to make the jumps in a fairly short amount of time. You don't want to forget what you've learned previously, and this is less likely to happen if you remain current. Of course, you don't want to go too quickly, either. You wil be exposed to a lot of information; it will take some time for all of it to sink in. If waiting until next spring will allow you to take the course in a more timely manner, it may well be your best choice. Welcome to the sport. For Great Deals on Gear Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 30 #4 July 21, 2005 QuoteIf waiting until next spring will allow you to take the course in a more timely manner, it may well be your best choice. What he said.Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisL 2 #5 July 21, 2005 Quote when you're under canopy, hold your nose and blow. this will force air into your inner ear to equalize the pressure. Or just yawn. This works very nicely for me.__ My mighty steed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dgskydive 0 #6 July 21, 2005 Ears can be tricky. Make sure also to clear them before you get out of the plane. I always do that. Once as as student one of mine ruptured and that doesn't feel good. If you have sinus issues you may want to have a doctor check you out.Dom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #7 July 21, 2005 QuoteQuoteAs I descended to the Earth my ears started to hurt, and when I landed they hurt a lot and the pain eventually went away. As I keep jumping will this problem go away? this is due to your ears going from a low pressure environment to a high pressure environment (high altitude to low altitude). when you're under canopy, hold your nose and blow. this will force air into your inner ear to equalize the pressure.Quote What he said.... Additionally, you can try swallowing or yawning....... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kimemerson 7 #8 July 21, 2005 First, do not hold your nose & blow. That's potentially dangerous. Or do so gently. Otherwise I'd see a doctor. This pain isn't normal or common and could be a sign of something else which could be damaging and permanent. It is not somethong that your ears get used to and that disappears as you get experience. Ears and skydiving are a particular concern and as far as I'm concerned you shouldn't do much more untill you get that checked out. Second. it's often best to wait till you have all the money saved up so you can get your AFF in a concetrated form and not strung out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tcnelson 1 #9 July 22, 2005 holding your nose and blowing is how one would clear his/her ears while scuba diving. it is not dangerous unless you blow like you're trying to dislodge a jawbreaker that got stuck in your nose or something. blow just hard enough to equalize your ears, no harder."Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites nate_1979 9 #10 July 22, 2005 Quote It is not somethong that your ears get used to and that disappears as you get experience. I dont know about that, ... I scuba dive, and I used to have problem diving a 12 foot pool! I used to *ALWAYS* get stuck at 8-10 feet on *EVERY* dive I did for awhile, It would take me forever to get deeper than that as my ears just took forever to equalize, regardless of what I did... I can now usually just blow past that depth, ears equalize with no issues.... I think that your ears do get used to it. That being said, this is totally different In scuba, I was able to stop the pressure change when I needed to by stopping my movement to deeper or shallower depths, I had control.. In skydiving, when your freefalling, your going and the only time it's gonna stop is when you pull.. I got my ears checked out by a doctor for the scuba stuff, and he told me that I had ears that would always have issues with equalizing just because of the way they were ... I have gotten past it. Good luck Edited to add: See a doctor and ask them about it, You dont wanna damage your ears! FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites monkycndo 0 #11 July 22, 2005 I have ear problems if I make a bunch of jumps in one day. I take a sudafed in the morning before I start jumping. It makes a huge difference.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kelpdiver 2 #12 July 22, 2005 Quoteholding your nose and blowing is how one would clear his/her ears while scuba diving. it is not dangerous unless you blow like you're trying to dislodge a jawbreaker that got stuck in your nose or something. blow just hard enough to equalize your ears, no harder. Use of the valsalva method can cause ear trauma. I'd go for any other method first. Fortunately for me, jaw wriggling nearly always does the job. In skydiving, I think keeping my mouth opened did a good job, but I already had hundreds of scuba dives and don't even need to think about clearing to do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Rdy2skydive 0 #13 July 22, 2005 First I would recommend being checked by a doctor to make sure there is nothing wrong. Otherwise, I have the same problem and take 2 sudafed every morning before I jump and then one later in the day if needed. It works wonders for me. Chewing gum is also helpful. Good luck with AFF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites papax17 0 #14 July 22, 2005 Thank you for all the helpful tips. It is greatly appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Witelli 0 #15 July 22, 2005 I had the same problem on my first tandem. I do however remember having a minor head cold that day. Since then, I've done 7 jumps and haven't had a problem at all. See what happens on your next jump, and I like to yawn as the plane is climbing to equalize my ears. That works best for me. good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites BenediktDE 2 #16 July 22, 2005 Think back if your nose and sinus was free on that day. If not 100% try a jump on a day you are sure about it. If not - ask a doctor to check if you have an anatomic problem that could cause the problem. (Friend of mine had to quit scuba diving for that reason.) Money and AFF: I would wait until I have the money I need to do the license and some additional jumps. Something to think ybout is getting a gear early - be sure to ask your instructors when buying your first gear. Enjoy! Stay safe!For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites papax17 0 #17 July 22, 2005 Thanks again to everyone for the reply. You have all been very helpful and all the help is appreciated. The skydiving community is awesome. papa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites apley 0 #18 July 23, 2005 QuoteI did my first tandem this past monday and I am completely addicted, but I have a few questions. Thanks in advance papa welcome, papa. you have the itch, now scratch it! i concur with most of the advice you've been given regarding the ears, and the timing of your AFF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites outlawphx 1 #19 July 25, 2005 I've got the same problem, and it was very painful in one ear to try and clear my ears on the ground. I talked to my doctor about it, and he recommended a decongestant. He looked in my ears and what not, and figured it was just persistent congestion between my nose and ear canal. So now I take a couple squirts of Afrin (nasal decongestant spray) in the morning on the drive to the DZ, and I'm golden all day. I don't have any pain now clearing my ears, and I often my ears clear by themselves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites airgirl24 0 #20 July 26, 2005 DONT BLOW WHILE HOLDING YOUR NOSE!!! i am a speech-therapy student, and after taking Anatomy...i learned not to do that. all you have to do is swallow. your eustation tubes will do the work for you. if and when you blow air by holding your nose, and your mouth shut, you are sending air back the other way...and it can be harmful. also, same thing...dont hold your sneezes in "jump and live life" they may have given me life but skydiving gives me breath ..katie.. http://community.webshots.com/user/goalie85 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billvon 3,080 #21 July 26, 2005 >DONT BLOW WHILE HOLDING YOUR NOSE!!! The technique is called Valsalva, and it's useful for clearing one's ears and for a few other things (like temporarily increasing blood pressure, which can help with cardiac problems.) It's not ideal but is better than a ruptured eardrum. Not everyone's ears will clear with working your jaw/yawning. >if and when you blow air by holding your nose, and your mouth shut, >you are sending air back the other way...and it can be harmful. Air goes the same way no matter how you equalize. Valsalva just uses more pressure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites tcnelson 1 #22 July 27, 2005 i've done it for years while scuba diving and while skydiving and in any case when the air pressure in the environment is greater than what is in my inner ear. i'm still here and i'm just fine. swallowing has never worked for me unless i'm in the opposite situation where i need to let some air out of my inner ear. as you go through college, you'll hear a whole lot of professors say a whole bunch of stuff. weed out the crap because, yes, even professors propagate inaccurate junk. and further more...what billvon said. "Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DanglesOZQld 0 #23 July 28, 2005 Colds/Flu watch out! If you can't equalize on the ground don't jump. I get colds now and then but still jump with nasal spray and sinus tablets pre jumping. If the pain gets bad I simply ground myself. I have seen one of our camera guys burst an eardrum and have blood coming out of the ear. NOT WORTH IT! With the valsalva method if you do choose to do it then GENTLY! The "last little bit" hurts like hell if blowing like a madperson!!! If I do have problems it is usually around the top of the nose re sinus issues. Near to where you would pinch your nose with a bad nose bleed and I have been told one of the most painful problems. Not unusual for some slight issues regarding jumping but if it is a common thing seek a professional's (doctor's) advice. BSBD!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites EvilLurker 2 #24 July 28, 2005 My ears plug so tight on 12,000 foot jumps I can't hear an audible altimeter. I have to Valsalva every time I land before I can carry on a conversation. I've done that at least 150 times and my hearing is the same as it was when I started jumping and I've never had any bleeding from the ears or a broken eardrum. It's most likely some sort of sinus congestion, or maybe I got punched in the nose a few too many times boxing when I was young. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Beerlight 0 #25 July 30, 2005 Well, I held out before posting, but seeing some incorrect responses to your post, I have to jump in...bear with me. a. Do not jump with a cold. b. Do not jump with major congestion. A lil congestion is "usually" not a big problem. c. You ears will clear themselves automatically on ascent. A little wiggle of the jaw is usually quite sufficient to allow any trapped air in the MIDDLE EAR to escape via the eustachian tube. d. ON DESCENT, the majority of people HAVE to do something mechanical to clear their ears. ie. the VALSALVA Manuever, swallowing, yawning, etc..... I can clear easily just by swallowing on some days, on other days, I must valsalva. To Valsalva, you pinch your nose, CLOSE your mouth and freakin BLOW. I would recommend that you do not attempt a vigorous valsalva on the ground (just to check your ears out) IF you have a cold/congestion. Why is that? Well, you will force mucous up the eustachian tube into dat small, warm, comfy space called the MIDDLE EAR. After a while, bacteria (who LOVE, warm, comfy spaces like the middle ear), will potentially cause a major ear infection. Thus, possibly leading to something as serious as hearing loss. In summary: In performing the valsalva, most people figure out how MUCH air to blow up the eustachian tube to equalize the ears. oh, and you can possibly have an ear block during ascent if you have major congestion that blocks the exit path of trapped air in the middle ear space. peace. P.S. I teach this at NASA...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0 Go To Topic Listing
kimemerson 7 #8 July 21, 2005 First, do not hold your nose & blow. That's potentially dangerous. Or do so gently. Otherwise I'd see a doctor. This pain isn't normal or common and could be a sign of something else which could be damaging and permanent. It is not somethong that your ears get used to and that disappears as you get experience. Ears and skydiving are a particular concern and as far as I'm concerned you shouldn't do much more untill you get that checked out. Second. it's often best to wait till you have all the money saved up so you can get your AFF in a concetrated form and not strung out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tcnelson 1 #9 July 22, 2005 holding your nose and blowing is how one would clear his/her ears while scuba diving. it is not dangerous unless you blow like you're trying to dislodge a jawbreaker that got stuck in your nose or something. blow just hard enough to equalize your ears, no harder."Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nate_1979 9 #10 July 22, 2005 Quote It is not somethong that your ears get used to and that disappears as you get experience. I dont know about that, ... I scuba dive, and I used to have problem diving a 12 foot pool! I used to *ALWAYS* get stuck at 8-10 feet on *EVERY* dive I did for awhile, It would take me forever to get deeper than that as my ears just took forever to equalize, regardless of what I did... I can now usually just blow past that depth, ears equalize with no issues.... I think that your ears do get used to it. That being said, this is totally different In scuba, I was able to stop the pressure change when I needed to by stopping my movement to deeper or shallower depths, I had control.. In skydiving, when your freefalling, your going and the only time it's gonna stop is when you pull.. I got my ears checked out by a doctor for the scuba stuff, and he told me that I had ears that would always have issues with equalizing just because of the way they were ... I have gotten past it. Good luck Edited to add: See a doctor and ask them about it, You dont wanna damage your ears! FGF #??? I miss the sky... There are 10 types of people in the world... those who understand binary and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
monkycndo 0 #11 July 22, 2005 I have ear problems if I make a bunch of jumps in one day. I take a sudafed in the morning before I start jumping. It makes a huge difference.50 donations so far. Give it a try. You know you want to spank it Jump an Infinity Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #12 July 22, 2005 Quoteholding your nose and blowing is how one would clear his/her ears while scuba diving. it is not dangerous unless you blow like you're trying to dislodge a jawbreaker that got stuck in your nose or something. blow just hard enough to equalize your ears, no harder. Use of the valsalva method can cause ear trauma. I'd go for any other method first. Fortunately for me, jaw wriggling nearly always does the job. In skydiving, I think keeping my mouth opened did a good job, but I already had hundreds of scuba dives and don't even need to think about clearing to do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rdy2skydive 0 #13 July 22, 2005 First I would recommend being checked by a doctor to make sure there is nothing wrong. Otherwise, I have the same problem and take 2 sudafed every morning before I jump and then one later in the day if needed. It works wonders for me. Chewing gum is also helpful. Good luck with AFF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papax17 0 #14 July 22, 2005 Thank you for all the helpful tips. It is greatly appreciated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Witelli 0 #15 July 22, 2005 I had the same problem on my first tandem. I do however remember having a minor head cold that day. Since then, I've done 7 jumps and haven't had a problem at all. See what happens on your next jump, and I like to yawn as the plane is climbing to equalize my ears. That works best for me. good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BenediktDE 2 #16 July 22, 2005 Think back if your nose and sinus was free on that day. If not 100% try a jump on a day you are sure about it. If not - ask a doctor to check if you have an anatomic problem that could cause the problem. (Friend of mine had to quit scuba diving for that reason.) Money and AFF: I would wait until I have the money I need to do the license and some additional jumps. Something to think ybout is getting a gear early - be sure to ask your instructors when buying your first gear. Enjoy! Stay safe!For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
papax17 0 #17 July 22, 2005 Thanks again to everyone for the reply. You have all been very helpful and all the help is appreciated. The skydiving community is awesome. papa Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
apley 0 #18 July 23, 2005 QuoteI did my first tandem this past monday and I am completely addicted, but I have a few questions. Thanks in advance papa welcome, papa. you have the itch, now scratch it! i concur with most of the advice you've been given regarding the ears, and the timing of your AFF. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
outlawphx 1 #19 July 25, 2005 I've got the same problem, and it was very painful in one ear to try and clear my ears on the ground. I talked to my doctor about it, and he recommended a decongestant. He looked in my ears and what not, and figured it was just persistent congestion between my nose and ear canal. So now I take a couple squirts of Afrin (nasal decongestant spray) in the morning on the drive to the DZ, and I'm golden all day. I don't have any pain now clearing my ears, and I often my ears clear by themselves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airgirl24 0 #20 July 26, 2005 DONT BLOW WHILE HOLDING YOUR NOSE!!! i am a speech-therapy student, and after taking Anatomy...i learned not to do that. all you have to do is swallow. your eustation tubes will do the work for you. if and when you blow air by holding your nose, and your mouth shut, you are sending air back the other way...and it can be harmful. also, same thing...dont hold your sneezes in "jump and live life" they may have given me life but skydiving gives me breath ..katie.. http://community.webshots.com/user/goalie85 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,080 #21 July 26, 2005 >DONT BLOW WHILE HOLDING YOUR NOSE!!! The technique is called Valsalva, and it's useful for clearing one's ears and for a few other things (like temporarily increasing blood pressure, which can help with cardiac problems.) It's not ideal but is better than a ruptured eardrum. Not everyone's ears will clear with working your jaw/yawning. >if and when you blow air by holding your nose, and your mouth shut, >you are sending air back the other way...and it can be harmful. Air goes the same way no matter how you equalize. Valsalva just uses more pressure. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tcnelson 1 #22 July 27, 2005 i've done it for years while scuba diving and while skydiving and in any case when the air pressure in the environment is greater than what is in my inner ear. i'm still here and i'm just fine. swallowing has never worked for me unless i'm in the opposite situation where i need to let some air out of my inner ear. as you go through college, you'll hear a whole lot of professors say a whole bunch of stuff. weed out the crap because, yes, even professors propagate inaccurate junk. and further more...what billvon said. "Don't talk to me like that assface...I don't work for you yet." - Fletch NBFT, Deseoso Rodriguez RB#1329 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanglesOZQld 0 #23 July 28, 2005 Colds/Flu watch out! If you can't equalize on the ground don't jump. I get colds now and then but still jump with nasal spray and sinus tablets pre jumping. If the pain gets bad I simply ground myself. I have seen one of our camera guys burst an eardrum and have blood coming out of the ear. NOT WORTH IT! With the valsalva method if you do choose to do it then GENTLY! The "last little bit" hurts like hell if blowing like a madperson!!! If I do have problems it is usually around the top of the nose re sinus issues. Near to where you would pinch your nose with a bad nose bleed and I have been told one of the most painful problems. Not unusual for some slight issues regarding jumping but if it is a common thing seek a professional's (doctor's) advice. BSBD!! -Mark. "A Scar is just a Tattoo with a story!!!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EvilLurker 2 #24 July 28, 2005 My ears plug so tight on 12,000 foot jumps I can't hear an audible altimeter. I have to Valsalva every time I land before I can carry on a conversation. I've done that at least 150 times and my hearing is the same as it was when I started jumping and I've never had any bleeding from the ears or a broken eardrum. It's most likely some sort of sinus congestion, or maybe I got punched in the nose a few too many times boxing when I was young. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #25 July 30, 2005 Well, I held out before posting, but seeing some incorrect responses to your post, I have to jump in...bear with me. a. Do not jump with a cold. b. Do not jump with major congestion. A lil congestion is "usually" not a big problem. c. You ears will clear themselves automatically on ascent. A little wiggle of the jaw is usually quite sufficient to allow any trapped air in the MIDDLE EAR to escape via the eustachian tube. d. ON DESCENT, the majority of people HAVE to do something mechanical to clear their ears. ie. the VALSALVA Manuever, swallowing, yawning, etc..... I can clear easily just by swallowing on some days, on other days, I must valsalva. To Valsalva, you pinch your nose, CLOSE your mouth and freakin BLOW. I would recommend that you do not attempt a vigorous valsalva on the ground (just to check your ears out) IF you have a cold/congestion. Why is that? Well, you will force mucous up the eustachian tube into dat small, warm, comfy space called the MIDDLE EAR. After a while, bacteria (who LOVE, warm, comfy spaces like the middle ear), will potentially cause a major ear infection. Thus, possibly leading to something as serious as hearing loss. In summary: In performing the valsalva, most people figure out how MUCH air to blow up the eustachian tube to equalize the ears. oh, and you can possibly have an ear block during ascent if you have major congestion that blocks the exit path of trapped air in the middle ear space. peace. P.S. I teach this at NASA...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
