A relentlessly blocked-up head is unsafe for scuba. You won’t be able to clear your ears and sinuses while descending. Worse, at the end of your dive, it elevates your risk for a reverse squeeze on your way back up. … A little scratchiness is OK, but if you’re struggling to swallow, cancel the dive.
Can you scuba dive with sinus problems?
It’s always best not to dive with a cold or any condition that may block the sinus air passages. If you experience difficulties during descent, this is the time to abort the dive.
Can I take a decongestant before scuba diving?
Most decongestants have a long list of side effects on the packaging. … Give decongestant a test run before using it underwater. If a diver experiences sleepiness, confusion, agitation, increased heart rate, or any other side effect from the medication, it should not be used while scuba diving.
What happens when you scuba dive with a cold?
What problems can this cause when diving? If you’re not able to equalise your ears and sinuses properly, this may cause: Middle ear barotrauma- ear pain and hearing loss. Inner ear barotrauma- ear pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness, nausea, vomiting.
What medical conditions can stop you from scuba diving?
Medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and many cardiac conditions were long considered absolute contraindications to scuba diving.
Can your sinus explode?
The problem occurs when bacteria or fungus grows along your sinus linings, a virus or allergen invades, or a physical irregularity exists. The sinuses become irritated, inflamed, and swollen, and the pressure causes your head to feel like it is going to explode from the inside out.
How do I clear my sinuses for diving?
Nasal Saline Spray
Make sure to read the bottle and verify that it is natural saline spray and that it is free of any medications. A couple of squirts up each nostril before you dive may irrigate your sinuses enough to provide relief and allow you to equalize them efficiently.
Can your lungs explode scuba diving?
One of the most important rules in scuba diving is to breathe continuously and never hold your breath. … If you ascend while holding your breath, your lungs could expand (“explode”) as the air expands. This is known as a pulmonary barotrauma.
Can you use nasal spray before diving?
Nasal sprays work fairly quickly, so it’s best to take them just before gearing up. When stacking antihistamines and decongestants, take the allergy medicines the night before your dive; then take decongestants as you normally would on dive day.
Can I dive with a cough?
If your cough involves expectorating congestion or mucus from throat or lungs, I suggest you not dive. Without being vivid, you could “aspirate your expectoration” and choke or gag. Also, a persistent “dry cough” suggests, as noted above, that diving should be left to another day.
What happens if you cough while scuba diving?
The water causes some irritation of the lungs (salt water is worse than fresh water) so you may cough for several minutes after you surface. In addition, most divers would be quite anxious in this circumstance (especially if someone suggests you may be suffering CO poisoning) and this can result in additional symptoms.
Why do I burp after scuba diving?
The longer the dive and the deeper you go the more nitrogen is absorbed into your blood. Upon returning to the surface the pressure reduces and the nitrogen reverts to gas bubbles.
Can asthmatics scuba dive?
If a patient has mild-to-moderate asthma with normal screening spirometry then he/she can be considered a candidate for diving. However, if a patient suffers from an asthma attack they should not dive until their airway function on spirometry returns to normal.
When should you not dive?
Basic scuba diving safety is that your respiratory and circulatory systems must be in good working order. A person with heart trouble, a current cold or congestion, epilepsy, asthma, a severe medical problem should not dive. Another time not to dive is if your ears or nose are not clear.