Ear care after diving
Proper post-dive ear care helps prevent infections like 'swimmer's ear' and ensures your ears remain healthy for a lifetime of diving.
Protect your hearing health
If you experience persistent pain, ringing, or muffled hearing after a dive, seek medical attention immediately. Never insert cotton swabs or sharp objects into your ear canal.
Preventing infections
The warm, moist environment of the ear canal after a dive is ideal for bacterial growth, leading to external otitis. Rinsing your ears with clean, fresh water after diving helps remove salt and microorganisms.
Gently tilting your head to each side to drain trapped water is a simple and effective habit. Avoid aggressive shaking or hitting the side of your head, which can cause other issues.
Drying techniques
Use a soft towel to dry only the outer ear. Moisture left deep in the canal can soften the skin and make it more susceptible to irritation and infection from the surrounding water.
If you are prone to ear infections, consult a doctor about using specialized preventive ear drops. These solutions typically help restore the natural acidity of the ear canal and promote drying.
Monitoring for issues
Be alert for signs of irritation, such as itching, redness, or a feeling of fullness in the ear. Catching these symptoms early can prevent a minor irritation from becoming a painful infection.
If your ears feel 'blocked' long after a dive, it may indicate fluid behind the eardrum or a mild barotrauma. Do not attempt to dive again until the sensation has completely resolved and you have seen a doctor if necessary.
Dive-day checklist
Post-dive ear care
- Rinse ears with clean fresh water
- Gently drain water from the canals
- Dry the outer ear with a soft towel
- Avoid using cotton swabs inside the ear
- Monitor for pain or muffled hearing
General guidance only. Follow your training, the dive operator’s procedures, and each manufacturer’s current instructions.
Ask the dive guide
Personal guidance for your next dive
Describe a dive scenario or an equipment-care question. The guide answers in your language and points you to relevant journal articles.
General educational guidance only. It is not medical advice, emergency instruction or a replacement for training, certification, manufacturer instructions, your operator's briefing or your dive plan.