Basejumper.com - archive

You can get past it, especially if it doesn't happen all the time. You might find that some days you just aren't able to skydive, but that's ok--no one skydives every day.

Sudafed can work wonders, too.

When you have the skills for BASE, you have done enough skydives to either learnt how to equalize or your body has adapted to it.

I've had that problem once. Noticed that i couldnt equalize just before exit, went anyways. Blew both eardrums in free fall (skydiving) Lost 70% of my hearing for a month. It hurts btw ;-)

*edit* I had a cold at the time.

I get that randomly too. Sometimes after deploying when I'm under canopy I get intense ringing in my ears with a sharp pain which goes away after I equalize the pressure. It might happen even if I'm not sick in anyway so I just got used to it happening every now and then.

I think this sounds like a very dangerous problem. Ear trouble can get you in deep balance shit, and you know BASE jumping isn't for everyone. I wouldn't proceed if I were you, cuz when you have regrets there's really no turning back!

One time after a long 1900' antenna climb in ~60mph winds, my balance was so screwy I felt like I couldn't even stand up due to the pressure difference from one ear to the other, the wind was blowing in my left and the right was in a vacuum. I there after climb wearing ear plugs if it's windy.

And one time at band camp......

p.s. call me F*cker

Thanks for all the answer guys!

I'm still worried though :( some of you think it will be fine and some that it isnt a good idea at all.

I dont know what to do :( I really want to test skydiving/base jumping!!

 We are not doctors, go to a doctor and ask him, you may have a little problem with your estacian tubes or something.
Ask a skydiver/basejumper skydive base questions, ask a doctor aout medical isues.

1st of all stop using those stupid little :( things. What are you like 12?

Next, accept pain will be part of fun adventure sports. Your ears not popping won't bother you at all when your femur is showing.

As for an actual answer, I used to have a lot of trouble scuba diving, took me forever to equalize. I also used to have some pain flying, when I was younger, it has since gone away and when it doesn't it doesn't do permanent damage.

Get out there and try it, it's the only way you will know, and if you are really concerned, 1st take an observer ride at a skydiving drop zone (if they offer it). The rate of descent will be less that that when you are skydiving.

Also, spend your time reading about skydiving. You have to crawl before you can walk.

_justin

Thanks, even though someone seems to have woken up on the wrong side.

I've already been to a doctor, and I didnt get any answers from there. Maybe I need to find a doctor specialized on pressure equalization. If there are anyone I'm not sure of though.

The reason I wrote here was that I wanted to know if there where other people having the same problem and still being able to jump.

I know someone who got an ear tube. It not only stopped the ear infections, it allowed instant equalization.

My experience has been that doctors who are active jumpers are the best resource for these kind of questions, because they can approach the question from both perspectives.

A doctor who specializes in ear pressure equalization would be an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat) or Otolaryngologist in the USA. Not sure if that will help you find one where you are, though.

I live in Sweden and it actually was an ENT doctor that examined me. So maybe I should try to find a doctor that skydives himself.

I googled this tube in the ear thing, but with that in my ear it seems like I even cant have my head under water... As I love to snorkel that doesnt seem like the best solution.

Could be hard to find.
But this is probably your best chance

http://www.gof.se/...man/listinfo/skydive

Maybe a flight doctor, one that does pilots for certification

I'm 52 and I do them :)