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.
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.
How do I clear my sinuses before diving?
Nasal Saline Spray
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.
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.
What happens if I 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.
Can you scuba dive with allergies?
In general, individuals with environmental allergies may dive safely. Only during severe flare-ups should the symptoms preclude the safe use of scuba equipment.
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 get rid of sticky mucus in my sinuses?
Taking the following actions can help to eliminate excess mucus and phlegm:
- Keeping the air moist. …
- Drinking plenty of fluids. …
- Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the face. …
- Keeping the head elevated. …
- Not suppressing a cough. …
- Discreetly getting rid of phlegm. …
- Using a saline nasal spray or rinse. …
- Gargling with salt water.
How do you equalize blocked sinuses?
Sinus Squeeze Treatment
- Apply warm compresses to the face.
- Pain medications such as acetaminophen (or stronger if prescribed by a health care professional) may be needed to treat symptoms.
- Avoid diving until recovery is complete.
- Oral pseudoephedrine and topical nasal sprays (such as Afrin) should be used.
What is the most important rule of scuba diving?
If you remember one rule of scuba diving, make it this: Breathe continuously and never hold your breath. During open water certification, a scuba diver is taught that the most important rule in scuba diving is to breathe continuously and to avoid holding his breath underwater.
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.
What are the odds of dying while scuba diving?
The average diver
The average diver’s extra mortality is fairly low, ranging from 0.5 to 1.2 deaths per 100,000 dives. Table 1 aims to put the diving risk into perspective by comparing it with other activities. From these numbers, it seems that scuba diving is not a particularly dangerous sport – which is true!
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.
Can you scuba dive with a chest infection?
During this time there may also be excessive mucus in the airways, which could cause gas-trapping during ascent. Because of this, diving physicians recommend that diving should be postponed after a respiratory infection until all symptoms, including cough, have completely resolved.
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.
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.