byrco 0 #1 September 9, 2003 Hello... i am absolute beginner in skydiving. I only made a few tandem jumps... id like to do an education now jump for myself but i have a problem... the pressure differences are too much for my ears and i can hardly compensate that. The result is i am taking risks on my health (concerning my ears)... besides taht im totally fit and in every aspect qualified for skydiving. As i said i jumped a few times and i loved it, i want to jump on... alone... more often... Now i had the idea of a pressure helmet, well they are there yet.. only beeing done for military issues for very high altitudes concerning the whole body and so... now i would only need a helmet keeping the pressure for my ears and providing me with oxygen during the flight... so only 10 mins or so, going up jumping, landing... thats it. I know how im saying this now it sounds like this is the easiest thing in the world... but i realize that im not a professional... no far away from it, but i wanted to know if you ppl think this is possible... having only a helmet taking care of the pressure in the head and keeping the pressure from the ground for about 10-15 mins. So i thought i get me this helmet... put it on on the ground shortly before a start. Put on the oxygen flow, the pressure is like on the ground... going up... still same pressure... jumping, landing... again on the same level as i started i take of the helmet and its cool. I thought this could work as the pressure differences are actually not that high... i also jumped without these things (it will hurt my health if i do it regulary), so it wouldnt need be a NASA approved helmet, as it only would have to work until 4000-5000m... Well thats the idea i had... and i would kick my ass if cant say i tried everything. Lets take aside the money aspect... would it be possible without wearing a space suit or sth like that... Would be glad to hear some opinions... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #2 September 9, 2003 tried ear plugs? your gonna have some major hurdles to surmount with a helmet idea. It'll be difficult to maintain the pressure without using a whole suit - your talking about overpressurising your head by comparison to the environment. When military jumpers go from super high altitudes they do not use pressure helmets - they simply use bail out bottles that force o2 into their lungs - that doesnt solve your pressure issues. A full pressure suit is going to be far too bulky to skydive in without major mods. Also consider the issues of emergency drills with a mal. You could constrain yourself to medium altitudes or you could try to block your sinuses (assuming this is the issue) with nose clip and ear plugs. Without knowing what your spp probs are I dont know. Dont want to be a put down - there may well be an answer out there. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
byrco 0 #3 September 9, 2003 Its when i jump, first im feeling that the pressure is getting higher and higher during the free fall... and im hearing less. Thats ok, and then when the parachute opens the pressure is still there and it begins to ache terribly... This can come together with terrible sounds in the ear, and when i landed i rarely hear anything and moving the head too fast or rotating it will cause a painful feeling in the head again. For 2 days im then having problems till its on a normal level... ok the pressure inside my head then still is way above 0 (where it should be) but im feeling better then... I heard that lots of people are having such problems during a flight and with compensating exercised during the flight its ok... that also works for me during a flight, but when im jumping sth like that is... well not possible. Now is there probably somebody having the same problem and managed it to do skydiving anyways. And i dont know... but blocking the sinuses is really sth that will help? I mean im willing to try anything... just to get me up in the air again... without pain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ernokaikkonen 0 #4 September 9, 2003 Many people have that kind of problems when they start flying/skydiving. Many get used to it or learn to deal with it. Trying to block your ears is probably a bad idea. The earplugs I bought had a warning on them : "If used on aircraft, remove before descent". You'd just end up with a higher pressure on one side of your eardrum than the other. Not good. A noseclip will not help you. Your mouth is connected to your nose, remember? Best bet would be to consult a doctor who specializes in the area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr2mk1g 10 #5 September 9, 2003 it sounds like you are just experiencing the normal effects of pressure on your sinuses. On the way up to altitude, swallow regularly to equalise the air pressure. After the canopy opens perform a "val-salva" where you hold your nose and blow gently to increase the pressure in your head. You should feel your ears "pop". Do this again when your on the ground. I say this assuming you have no medical conditions. Please do not do this without consulting a doctor if you have anything that would effect your sinuses/ears. try a search on the forums for val salva or on pressure changes. There have been many threads on similar subjects before. I have read some very good info from people who have undertaken a lot of very high altitude jumps in the military and work with pressure chambers who know about these problems. Thats a good place to start your research. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #6 September 9, 2003 I'd see a doctor if I were you. A pressure helmet or anything like that is not feasable. Find out why you have the problem, not how to fix it. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mazevedo 0 #7 September 9, 2003 NEVER TRY TO USE EAR PLUGS!!! You will have a barotrauma (see the article at the bottom) I know that pressures comparing scuba dive against skydive are very different but that ear plugs can easily stuck in your ears. Try to use that nose plugs (used by sincronized swimmers) to compensate during freefall or find yourself a doctor. I almost have my eardrum perforated jumping with sinus. http://www.deeperblue.net/article.php/202/12 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
drenaline 0 #8 September 10, 2003 I strongly recommend that you go to a doctor, try to go a specialized doctor in nose and ears. HISPA 21 www.panamafreefall.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
