Scuba experts needed
 

I am looking into scuba certification and am worried about clearing my ears. My wife also is concerned , she struggles with airplane flights and her ears.<BR><BR>Does anyone know what can be done?

take a sudefed before diving.

Please, please don't take a drug before scuba diving. It may work, but it can be dangerous.<BR><BR>Why not try out a resort course where you learn briefly in a pool and then do a short/shallow dive in a warm-weather location to test the waters? Then you'll see how you do clearing your ears. I've found it's just a matter of being conscious of it, and going up a few feet if the pressure gets too much to re-adjust before going back down. Any competent instructor ought to be able to teach you this if you make them aware of it, and you focus on the instructions.<BR><BR>Good luck--scuba diving is worth it!

my biggest concern is always the sharks...I don't even think about the ears. They will teach you how to equalize the pressure. If you don't learn properly and take caution you can harm yourself but that's only if you're careless. I don't recommend any drugs either til you get some experience. You don't want to play around til you have a few successful dives in your log. My contact lens popped out on my first open water dive. (and yes I did see a shark). Next dive I knelt down on fire coral (saw a shark again) Actually everytime I've been diving or snorkeling I see a shark. I'm still terrified but don't want to be left behind so I pray alot and make big deliberate movements..

Just re-read your heading....I'm not a scuba expert but I am a "concerned" diver. (wimpy and frazzled at times)

So how much would a "resort" course cost? Say in hawaii?

I'm an avid diver and former instructor (PADI/SSI) and encourage you & your wife to take a formal certification course if you're interested in diving. <BR><BR>Don't worry about your ears -- you'll will learn several techniques on how to properly clear them. Proper clearing is emphasized in scuba training. If, during or after your training, you experience problems, your instructor will help you. <BR><BR>Perhaps I am in the minority, but I don't like resort courses. I've heard of several bad experiences. If you choose to try a resort course, I strongly suggest a course with a student-to-instructor ratio of 4:1 or less. <BR><BR>Scuba diving is great. Good luck!<BR>

I have found that a resort course is a good idea for most people wishing to get certified. It gives you an idea of what the sport is like before you plunk down all the money to get full certification.<BR><BR>I've known a couple of people who changed their minds and decided against certification after doing a resort course, and they were glad that they hadn't spent more money to find out that diving wasn't for them. However, if you enjoy most water sports, then you will probably be enthusiastic about scuba diving, too.<BR>

Resort courses typically cost between $75 and $100, and entail about an hour of instruction and a 30-minute shallow (up to 40 feet) guided dive. I would recommend taking a "Discover SCUBA Diving" course from a PADI-certified facility (http://www.padi.com/courses/expr/dsd.asp). <BR><BR>I also wouldn't worry about clearing your ears. I too have lots of ear problems on airplane flights, but that is because of DECREASED pressure on the eardrums causing unequalized higher pressure on the inside of the eardrum. This is much harder to clear than the INCREASED pressure from diving. All you need to do to equalize that pressure is gently exhale while your nostrils are squeezed shut.

I'm with Ted on this one. As a diver, I think the resort courses are a rip off. You don't learn what you need to know and you do not get your C card.

Scuba diving is simply heaven. This coming from a person who did it kicking and screaming (I nearly drowned as a kid and hate being underwater). <BR><BR>Definitely do not take drugs. They can wear off during the dive, and you'll find yourself in trouble (that's why you shouldn't dive with a cold). <BR><BR>I agree with the previous posters...take a formal course. I know a lot of people who were nervous about their ears, but were fine. Perhaps ignorance is bliss, but in the case of scuba, I think it's best to know as much as you can before you get in the water. After a formal course, I was far more comfortable getting in the water. And since my first dive after getting certified was the Great Barrier Reef, it was well worth it!<BR><BR>Things do happen in the water...knowing what's going on will make you less panicked. I got a reverse squeeze in my ears...not fun. <BR><BR>Good luck, and enjoy!

Hi, I had the same fears...I flew to Hawaii in 1985, my ears & sinuses gave me quite a fit on the flight, I had experienced similar in a flt to Durango, CO the year before. I figured there was no way I could try scuba. However, I did the resort deal, the instructor was super & very helpful & I had no problems, in fact on the dive the next day, I stayed under longer than anyone, only had to quit because the instructor ran out of air. Be cool, remember to breath normally, don't hold your breath, follow instructions. You'll be fine...I was & went thru same thing. The next year I moved to the Big Island & took a PADI course & became certified (at 50)...enjoy. Aloha, Linda

No expert here, but I have logged quite a few dives. I also strongly recommend taking a formal course on scuba diving, not a resort course. When I took my class it cost $150 (10 yrs. ago though), so that's not much more than the quickie $75 or $100 resort course, and you'll learn a lot more over more time, get more time in a pool with your scuba gear, and come out with more knowledge and comfort with your scuba gear. There's no way there's enough time to learn everything in a resort course that you do in a formal course. If you're fearful, you should arm yourself with as much knowledge and comfort with scuba gear as possible.<BR><BR>You'll have more time to learn how to clear your ears. You'll learn about seeing sharks underwater. I've seen sharks on many dives too (sounds scary doesn't it? - what the other guy probably doesn't tell you (which has been my experience) is that many of the sharks you'll see on a dive are very small, reef sharks, who will swim away when you appear because they don't want to be bothered.) To unequivacally scare someone because you've "seen a shark" on lots of dives is not fair. <BR><BR>Scuba diving is so amazing. The fish swim along side of you because they're curious, the colors underwater are amazing.<BR><BR>If you really think you want to be a scuba diver, and know that you'll plan scuba trips on a somewhat regular basis, then it really is worth it to take a course before you get to your destination.<BR><BR>Good luck!!!