Eyes that go "pop"

[Bro]

Gentlemen-
I have a friend who is determined to be in the specops community. He has what it takes to be a squared-away guy, he just has one problem. Whenever he goes up on an airplane, his ears (or sinus cavities) are put under tremendous pressure. It is quite painful for him, and he fears it may disqualify him from diving and water-oriented training, specifically BUD/S. He is concerned that this problem- not a medical condition, may affect him so much that he may not be able to go through with the SEAL challenge. Does the pressure of deep dives affect ears? Will exercises such as the "bounce" dives tear his eardrums or something? Just questions I hope someone knowledgeable can answer. Thanks a lot.

-Bro

[Fred]

It sounds like he would have problems in any diving-related field.

[Nissan]

Bro...Your buddy is gonna have problems in diving guarenteed...when pressure builds up outside of your ears it puts pressure on the ear drums and if you don't equalize the pressure then the ear drum will pop...I guarentee it...for some people this can happen as low as 10-15 feet below water...but if he doesn't equalize his ears then he may creating his own problem...tell him to try and equalize more often when in a plane or any pressurized area...you can accomplish this by squeezeing your nose and trying to blow air out of it..that will cause you to equalize or you can push your jaw forward and it will do the same thing...while teh jaw thing sounds strange its actually the best method..because when you do it you losen all teh muscles sounding the eustactian tubes (tubes that goto your ears from your throat) and allow you to let new air in and equalize...If he still has problems you might want to reccomend a non dive related feild of SpecOps to go for

[Mac679]

there's a problem with Spec Ops in general if he can't equalize--all SOF ( at least that I can think of ) are Airborne qual'd, when I go back to MEPS to ship I have to take the Airborne Physical in which they'll test my ability to equalize to pressure changes; if airplanes make him uncomfortable for equalization, straight-leg grunt is about the only combat job left for him. Could be he just needs to learn to equalize-hope it works out for him.
Mac

[Silence66]

Well like nissan said if he doesn't learn to equalize he will blow out an ear drum and never be able to dive again...So they tell me at scuba class also tell him not to wait till it hurts to try and equalize his ears do it before, and you should equalize ever metre/ few feet. if he has problems with alergies and congestion all the time that might also be the problem so he might wanna go see a doctor about it if he still has problems equalizing.

[Mike]

to Bro, tell your friend to go to a doctor who specialized in diving medicine or ask the local diving shop since they will know the docotrs who treat diving-related problems. You mentioned it is not a medical condition. Anything painful can be considered a medical problem (exception are no pain, no gain at the local Gold's Gym).
Or go to an aerospace medical specialist.
If nothing work or impossible, an ear-throat docotr or an audiologist may help.

[RAT]

He has to pass the chamber before he can even go to a dive school. If you don't pass the chamber you no go to school.
RAT OUT!!!

[Nissan]

Silence you'll be able to dive again...its not a SCUBA ending injury...I know a couple people who still dive after busting a eardrum...but you definetly don't wanna get it to see what its like...trust me on that one

[Bro]

Thanks for the great information, everyone. My buddy is getting his ears checked, so I'll keep you posted on the situation. Hope he can qualify...