SkydiveNFlorida 0 #1 July 22, 2003 You know, that feeling you get as you climb higher into the sky. Does one get used to this? Does it start to maybe go away, or are the effects of the ascent on ones ears lessened? Is the plugging your nose and blowing to pop your ears safe? How hard is too hard? What if your ears still feel wierd? It's worth it of course, but throughout the day today, I am still popping my ears from yesterday's jump. Just wondering how long it takes to go away and if it is always gonna be like this. thx! Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #2 July 22, 2003 Get some gum. Chew it on the way up. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #3 July 22, 2003 The action you are describing is called val salva and it is perfectly normal to do either automatically or manualy with hand to nose/ear. As long as you do it and it's not painful you shouldn't hurt yourself. Since your problem is persisting I would imagine that you have some draininage in your ear canal/sinus. Try a sudafed or similar med to dry you out and see if that helps. If you still are having problems after several days go to the Dr. I found an interesting article that briefly describes jumping and the problem your having.http://www.vistech.net/users/edman/halo/tropo.html"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #4 July 22, 2003 Thanks so much. I will take a sinus pill when I get home, and the article says that this can be done between 8000-12000ft, so i'm going to remember that nex time, though I suppose that i'll not really be able to do it cuz i'll have AFF training maneuvers to conquer in freefall. But, like last time, i'll do it when in my canopy. Thanks for the article, thats some interesting stuff, high altitude jumping, whoa. Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gremlin 0 #5 July 22, 2003 Do be V careful with your ears. If they are blocked and you jump not only could they be very painful for the next few days but you could burst the eardrum. Take tablets to clear your ears but if you are not sure do not jump, it aint worth the pain. ADAMI'm drunk, you're drunk, lets go back to mine.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #6 July 22, 2003 hey, I must say that your ears are very important.. I recently had a sinus infection that really bothered my ears! Im still on meds but the infection has taken its course(this will be the first time Ive EVER finished all the meds the DR perscribed. here is another account of someone with a problem! as of right now he cannot post but once he can Im sure he ID himself he PM'd me and asked If I could post this! normally I wouldnt do this but it is a bit of advice I think is worthy of passing on... In regard to the ear fluid/popping problem, definitely talk to your instructors first. On my Cat D-1 jump this past June 28th all the congestion in my head went right to my ear canals. To this date it still has not cleared and I am grounded. I've been through two rounds of antibiotics and numerous nasal sprays and decongestants with no success. I now have serious vertigo problems that I am on meds for. This is not a pleasant thing to go through. The doc told me, there is nothing that can be done to clear my ears right now but to wait it out. My point is, definitely talk to you instructors. This seems to be more of a problem for us newbies than the experienced jumpers. I don't want you to go through what I am experiencing. It's not pleasant. Good luck on your progression and keep us informed. ***My photos My Videos Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #7 July 22, 2003 I've found some ear plugs in my local chemist. They dont stop the pressure on your ears but have a bleeder valve built into them so that they slowly allow the pressure either side of them to equalise. They're designed for wuffo's to use on planes. I figured they would work well for skydiving as it would mean the sudden pressure change you get going up and down is changed to a very gradual one. I've never tried them so cant comment on actual effects but the theory of them appears to be sound. (no pun intended) Other than that, dont take chances with your ears - you dont get replacement sets. If the problem is connected to your sinuses, try a full face helmet once your off AFF. I used to get probs with the 120m/h wind rushing up my snoz that would have me spitting crud for hours till I bought my lovely full face. (edited for pun) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #8 July 22, 2003 Thanks all! Yeah, i'm still having some ear problems. It is not at all painful, but I can still pop them by swallowing and by the blowing through plugged nose thing. I took a tylenol cold, didn't help. I will buy some sinus meds 2moro when I get some cash, right now i'm flat 100% broke. I am scheduled to close on my condo sale tomorrow, so if all went well, I really wanted to get back up there this weekend, I guess it is pretty dependent on my ears not, tho:( Wish me luck. Thx and send my best wishes to the guy in the hospital with the ear problems. I appreciate the relay of info./ Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #9 July 22, 2003 I read that article, it's fairly accurate. Do not attempt a valsalva during ascent....ONLY on descent. The ears clear automatically on ascent. And a correction to that article....the area of greatest pressure change is from ground level to about 10,000 feet....not 12,000 to 8K........ Have fun, but I'd not jump until ALL congestion is cleared up... Buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #10 July 23, 2003 Thanks, Buck! :( Man, I'm feeling pretty down about this crappy ear thing! I'm gonna go home and take a flexeril and put a heating pad on it. *sigh* Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #11 July 23, 2003 Another thought, what about ear drops of some kind?? thx! Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #12 July 23, 2003 Hi, Not a big fan of eardrops....How long have you had congestion? If you've been taking over the counter (OTC) meds for more than a week, and it still hasn't cleared up, you prob should see a physician. Be careful, you could have a nasty infection going that requires treatment with other than OTC. BTW, don't over do the valsalva's too much. It can have a reverse affect, and overpressurize the middle ear.......isn't life grand!!!!! Buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirMail 0 #13 July 23, 2003 My technique is to swallow frequently on the way up and, on the way down as soon as I have a good canopy I hold my nose and blow. Patrick-- It's never too late to have a happy childhood. Postal Rodriguez, Muff 3342 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #14 July 23, 2003 Now ya tell me. . I'll not do anymore. I think i've probably caused my own problems. It started on my 1st jump Saturday, but I went again Sunday, it wasn't as bad during ascent as the time b4, and just the same on the ground. I can still pop them by yawning/swallowing. Valsalva is pretty much shot unless I do it way too hard to be a good thing (yea, already did). Guess i'll just relax a bit, and do the heating pad/flexeril thing 2night. Thanks for all the help. I sure hope this crap is over with by the weekend. Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #15 July 23, 2003 Quote Now ya tell me. . I'll not do anymore. . Ooops....! Yep, no need for a hard or long/drawn out valsalva. If performed correctly, sometimes you can hear a lil squeal, or actually feel the eardrums return to a neutral position (ie clicking) after equalization, then stop! Nuff said.... Blue skies.....BUCK Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #16 July 23, 2003 QuoteDo not attempt a valsalva during ascent....ONLY on descent I don't know what shit house Dr. told you that but I can guarentee you that if you ever take a chamber ride they will tell you to valsalva ANYTIME you encounter pressure. To sit there on ascent and wait for your ears to clear bythemselves could lead to severe pain and even damage if they don't."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #17 July 23, 2003 QuoteQuoteDo not attempt a valsalva during ascent....ONLY on descent I don't know what shit house Dr. told you that but I can guarentee you that if you ever take a chamber ride they will tell you to valsalva ANYTIME you encounter pressure. To sit there on ascent and wait for your ears to clear bythemselves could lead to severe pain and even damage if they don't. Lou, dude......I RUN an altitude chamber unit...And get this...for the last 22 freakin years.... I've got over 500 hours inside altitude chambers and OVER 1000 hours in hyperbaric (compression) chambers. I think I'm uniquely qualified to give advice on how/when/where a valsalva maneuver should/should not be initiated. No valsalva's on ascent....period. Damn, I was in the chamber just today.......jeez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #18 July 23, 2003 Just for grins.....our website www.columbus.af.mil/ptu But, I do enjoy reading your posts though! cheers, Buck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #19 July 23, 2003 QuoteDamn, I was in the chamber just today.......jeez Which chamber do you ride in? The one I've gone to for the last several years at Shaw AFB has never put that type of info out either in the prebrief or during the ride. I know for a fact that I DO val salva during ascent normally around 18-21K and then again on descent around 15K like clockwork."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #20 July 23, 2003 Columbus AFB in MS. I can give you the Shaw chamber unit number...call them and ask. The guy in charge there is one of my best friends..... I guarantee they will tell you no valsalvas on ascent. He you need there number, shoot me a PM... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #21 July 23, 2003 QuoteHe you need there number, shoot me a PM... No, I go to Shaw for HAP REF. It's a lot closer to Bragg. I know I have an info sheet they hand out that contradicts what your saying. Only problem is it's either in my helmet bag or Jumpmaster handbook which is packed with my household goods in a truck somewhere right now. Since I constantly do it both in the chamber and in real life and have had no ill side effects, what is it that could potentially happen? I DO know that if I don't val salva while climbing my head feels like its gonna explode until I do."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumprunner 0 #22 July 23, 2003 QuoteThe action you are describing is called val salva and it is perfectly normal to do either automatically or manualy with hand to nose/ear. As long as you do it and it's not painful you shouldn't hurt yourself. Since your problem is persisting I would imagine that you have some draininage in your ear canal/sinus. Try a sudafed or similar med to dry you out and see if that helps. If you still are having problems after several days go to the Dr. I found an interesting article that briefly describes jumping and the problem your having.http://www.vistech.net/users/edman/halo/tropo.html On the sudafed, I can only speak for myself but sudafed can fire off a lot of adrenaline, cause a faster hearbeat, ect., like Actifed it is a amphetamine type compound. Dont know if I would want to do that before jumping. But thats just me, some of you guys would probably like the added rush. Last jump I did I drank a cup of coffee before going up and pretty much ate shit on the way out the door. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #23 July 23, 2003 QuoteDont know if I would want to do that before jumping. For clarification because obviously it wasn't understood, but ANY medication shouldn't be taken before jumping if it can possibly interfere with ones ability to function normally. The sudafed and other med recommendations are advisable for the times when one isn't in an aircraft or operating heavy machinery. Oh yeah, don't run with scissors"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveNFlorida 0 #24 July 25, 2003 Yay!! My ears feel better!!! I took advice from my all-knowing data warehouse guy (he took all sorts of sciences, and he's been skydiving, cavediving, and almost everything).. I put a hot compress on it for 20 minutes and took 2 flexeril (muscle relaxers). I repeated this again later. I could actually hear and feel the movement in the ear tube/canal(?), it was really weird. But, all better!! Now I can go skydiving this weekend!! Thanks again to all. So, then i'll swallow/yawn/etc while acsending, and val salva while descending. Angela. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cadmium 0 #25 July 28, 2003 Just my .02 cents of help. I have had Eustation tube problems sense Childhood. They were fixed with tubes being placed into my ears, which fall out is a short time. I started jumping a couple of years ago and after my first freefall above 7000 ft I experienced similar problems as you. After repeated jumps that day I had muffled hearing and everything sounded as if I was underwater, which I was inside my ears. I took prednisone, which is a cortisone steroid and isn’t fun for you system. It took over a week to regain normal hearing. I continued to have the same problem but much less severe with frequent jumping. Your body adjusts to some degree. The nuisance factor and concerns about damaging my hearing led me to see an Ear/nose/throat doctor and had my hearing tested. All still good. He put in a semi-permanent t-tube into my eardrums to make pressure equalization and drainage much simpler. It is a quick and cheap (if you don’t have insurance) surgery. I no longer suffer from these problems anymore and jumping is more enjoyable and I feel safer about my hearing. If you continue to have these problems for more than a few hours or days at a time I would highly recommend you consult with an ENT doctor._________________________________________ On the Journey of Life! Want a Ride? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
