Shadowplay 0 #1 May 24, 2004 I did six jumps this weekend. First off it was the first time I've jumped in 3 months and it's by far the most I've ever done in a weekend. Now Monday rolls around and I feel like I've got fluid in both my ears, like I have water in them but I can't get it out. It's making all the sounds I hear coming out of my mouth a little muffled. Has anyone else experienced this and if so should I be concerned? I'd kinda like to be able to hear stuff... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dougiefresh 0 #2 May 24, 2004 This has been discussed before... Take sudafed or other decongestant AFTER jumping. Works for me at least.Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so. --Douglas Adams Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #3 May 24, 2004 Sounds like mild barotrauma. Nothing to get concerned over, unless you have some sharp pain(which might mean an eardrum is perforated) or it doesn't eventually go away. If you saw a doc he'd probably recommend not jumping until it cleared up though. In the future you can likely avoid this by popping your ears on the ride up to altitude(hold your nose and try to blow through it while it's held). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FrogNog 1 #4 May 24, 2004 Quote In the future you can likely avoid this by popping your ears on the ride up to altitude(hold your nose and try to blow through it while it's held). Wouldn't you want to hold your nose and try to suck through it while it's held, because the goal is to reduce the pressure on the inside of the eustachian tubes to match the reducing pressure on the ride to altitude? Blowing air is for people going (descending) to higher pressure, like divers. -=-=-=-=- Pull. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #5 May 24, 2004 Quote Wouldn't you want to hold your nose and try to suck through it while it's held, because the goal is to reduce the pressure on the inside of the eustachian tubes to match the reducing pressure on the ride to altitude? Blowing air is for people going (descending) to higher pressure, like divers. Except divers use that same method for ascending as they do descending. I think more than anything the pressure it causes forces the tubes open. Even if you have more air pressure from doing the trick hit your ear drum, it doesn't stay there it flows back. Ie/ your tubes are sealed creating a chamber on the other side which will cause trauma on pressure changes. Blowing pops the tubes open briefly and allows the air to flow both ways. Inhaling/sucking air in probably wouldn't do anything since the tubes are already sealed like a rubber gasket. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #6 May 24, 2004 MarkM's info is incorrect. Here's the correct way: DO NOT valsalva (ie. pinch nose and blow) on ascent! ONLY on descent. (A lot of people get this one wrong) Pressure in the middle ear will automatically equalize during ascent. Any "popping" or "clicking" noise in your ear is normal on ascent, and if your ears aren't clearing well on ascent, just wiggle your jaw back and forth, tilt your head side to side and that'll allow the eustachian tube to open more readily. I'd recommend you not jump again until your problem is cleared up. You will only do more damage if you jump again..... If you would like more information regarding ear equalization/problems, google search for "barotrauma". Should be some very relevant info there for ya...! or just PM me, teaching this type of stuff is what I do for a living.... Buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarkM 0 #7 May 24, 2004 Quote(A lot of people get this one wrong) I guess I'm one of them Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #8 May 24, 2004 QuoteQuote(A lot of people get this one wrong) I guess I'm one of them It's easy to do......[best Tony Soprano voice] "Don't worry bout it!" Buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
