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Ear problems are the most common medical issue affecting recreational divers, and Komodo's conditions — negative entries, multiple daily dives, and cold thermoclines — can increase the risk.
| Issue | Cause | Symptoms | Prevention |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equalisation difficulty | Eustachian tube congestion from cold, allergies, or repeated diving | Pressure, pain during descent | Pre-equalise, use Frenzel technique, stay hydrated, avoid dairy |
| Middle ear barotrauma | Forcing equalisation or descending too fast | Sharp pain, muffled hearing, possible bleeding | Never force equalisation; ascend if you cannot equalise |
| Outer ear infection (swimmer's ear) | Water trapped in ear canal after repeated dives | Itching, pain, redness in ear canal | Dry ears after every dive; use preventive ear drops |
| Reverse block | Air trapped in middle ear during ascent (often after using decongestant) | Pain during ascent, pressure sensation | Ascend slowly, swallow and wiggle jaw; do not use decongestants that may wear off at depth |
If you experience ear pain during a dive: Stop descending, signal your guide, ascend slightly, and try to equalise. If it does not resolve, abort the dive. Continuing to dive with ear pain risks a ruptured eardrum.