Ear Infections and North Florida Caves???

[RN]

I found I'm more likely to get ear issues after diving a cave where there are a lot of swimmers than a remote, out of the way sink hole...

i get one EVERY TIME I don't use ear beer after a dive
I just use the off the shelf swimmers ear stuff tho. I'm too lazy to brew up a batch of the homemade stuff :P

You're paying $3 for a small container of rubbing alcohol when you could pay 90 cents for a large container that makes several batches!

[Spd 135]

Springs and rivers are a laboratory for bacteria from all of the swimmers, divers, and run-off. I always use it. I buy a pint size bottle of alcohol and dump half out. I fill it back up with vinegar. I have a few nasal saline bottles that I bought and dumped out. I fill those, pull the label off and mark it ear beer. It is also good for washing your p-valve and chamber.

[sdenney]

I'm with Gene. I never use ear-beer and never get ear infections. Being raised in the tropics must give my immune system some added kick. Or the fact that I could swim before I could walk might have something to do with it.

[stairman]

Im another fan of homemade, dirtcheap and very effective earbeer. And havent had an infection in many years. I put some in before a dive too. I read somewhere that it helps but cant remember why.

[mdax]

after every dive i use swim ear, no brewing concoctions, no infections...

[LiteHedded]

I found I'm more likely to get ear issues after diving a cave where there are a lot of swimmers than a remote, out of the way sink hole...



You're paying $3 for a small container of rubbing alcohol when you could pay 90 cents for a large container that makes several batches!

meh
big spender I guess. the stuff lasts so long it doesn't really matter

[stairman]

I think swimmers ear is only alcohol and glycerine and lacks the acetic acid of the vinegar which I feel is important for restoring the PH. Then for the $4.oo they charge for the bottle I can mix near half a gallon.

[tj]

I used to get ear infections all the time, but I quit getting them about 10 years ago.. but I still use straight up peroxide after most dives in 'nasty' waters... just in case...

I wonder if that dead armadillo floating in Orange Grove today will promote more ear infections there.... I couldn't fish it out... its a biggum... oh, and 'ripe'... I don't envy Ranger Rick's job of getting it out...

On a good note about Orange Grove, the vis is much better in the basin and the duck weed is coming back!

[solocavediver]

My algorithm:

Go to Mexico and cavedive there. (does anyone else find it funny that the spell checker on cavediver.net barfs at the word "cavedive"?) While in Mexico, pick up a pack of 100 or so amoxycillin tablets from one of the many pharmacies on the waterfront at Playa del Carmen (you have now spent ca. $20). Use only if an ear infection has actually started - otherwise stick to just ear beer, you don't want to be one of the many culprits who reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics by overusing them and encouraging the germs to resist. Ear beer is your first line of defence. Replace the pack when it's been out of date for a year or so - of course you never get through all the tablets. With ear beer, hopefully you never need them, but if ear beer fails, having antibiotics IMMEDIATELY available will save you hours of agony. I don't bother with 10 minute ear beer sessions myself, too much out of your life. The antibiotics are ALSO useful when a cold blocks up your ear just like the water does when diving - and a secondary bacterial infection develops there. Once again, only use the pills when an infection has happened - they're no use against the cold virus itself.

Cheers,

Charles.

[Diverlee]

You need to rinse your ears out after every dive, FL or anywhere else. Clean water helps, but "ear beer" is better. It is half vinegar, and half alcohol.

When you do get an infection, go immediately to a doctor, and get real ear medicine, not pain killer. Cortisporin Otic is what is generally prescribed. The longer you wait, the worse the infection gets. I have had several friends that ended up with holes in their eardrum from waiting too long to see a doctor. Some can't dive anymore

You took the words out of my mouth.