MelodyDelpino 0 #1 September 19, 2015 Hello guys, so I heard it's not good to skydive with a cold due to pressure in our ear canal? Is that true? I am still on AFF, one month ago today was my last jump and if I don't jump today I will have to make a recurrency jump... Trying to avoid doing that, but I have a cold with sinus congestion. Should I tough it out and give it a try or is this definitely a no no? Thanks :)Blue skies, green lights! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fluffyduckie 6 #2 September 19, 2015 Better to do a recurrency jump than to end up with a ruptured ear drum."I love when humans fly," Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RXB17 0 #3 September 19, 2015 I jumped about 9 months ago with a cold and I'm still having ear issues from it. I would say stay on the ground until all the symptoms are gone. There will always be more jumps and long term ear problems just aren't worth it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,340 #4 September 19, 2015 MelodyDelpinoHello guys, so I heard it's not good to skydive with a cold due to pressure in our ear canal? Is that true? I am still on AFF, one month ago today was my last jump and if I don't jump today I will have to make a recurrency jump... Trying to avoid doing that, but I have a cold with sinus congestion. Should I tough it out and give it a try or is this definitely a no no? Thanks :) Bolding mine. Most definitely a "no-no." It's not a "tough it out" thing to do. If you are congested, the pressure that has to go out of your sinuses and inner ears (on the climb) and back in (on the descent) won't be able to properly. Due to the way pressure and congestion work, and due to the fact that the climb is relatively slow, compared to the descent, you may well find yourself in freefall approaching pull altitude in excruciating pain. Pain that compares to having someone pound a nail into your face directly between your eyes. And you have to pull, check your canopy, fly a pattern and land as they continue to tap that nail with their hammer. Guess how I know this. And that's if its not too bad. Worst case can be ruptured eardrums, ruptured sinuses, lots of blood, serious consequences. Don't do it."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
erdnarob 1 #5 September 19, 2015 A cold to what extend ? Just sniffing, nose leaking ? As long as your Eustachian tube (ear canal) is clear, not too much problem. If not clear, you can breath eucalyptus oil mixed in a bowl of hot water for about 5 minutes (ask the pharmacist). You also can add some special solution drops for ears. This is what I had to do when doing scuba diving for the first time. My whole group was affected and on the evening we used that method. No more problem followed the days after. The pressure differential when doing skydiving is less important than when doing scuba diving since the air is thinner but it's enough to be uncomfortable if your ear canal is not clear. You also can try chewing gum, or swallow your saliva several times. It's the method used when travelling with airlines. But more subtle aspects are very important. When having a cold, one uses most of the time medication. What you have to avoid if jumping is any medication which reduces your blood cell capability to catch oxygen (again ask your pharmacist who is the specialist for drugs and their effects and tell him about skydiving). Obviously, avoid any medication making you sleepy, you can be very comfortable on the ground but the problem can show up in altitude due to lack of oxygen. Also a lot of other drugs for cold reduces the speed of your reflexes. In any time, do not jump if you don't feel for it. Good luck Learn from others mistakes, you will never live long enough to make them all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DBCOOPER 1 #6 September 20, 2015 So did you jump?Replying to: Re: Stall On Jump Run Emergency Procedure? by billvon If the plane is unrecoverable then exiting is a very very good idea. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Titanman2789 0 #7 September 20, 2015 sudafed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dragon2 0 #8 September 20, 2015 +1 on the Don't do it. I ruptured my eardrum on my first 12k jump (did staticline so worked my way up from 3.5k). Had the needle-in-my-forehead thing a couple of times. Had the Lots of blood and sinus-lining and whatever on my goggles/face/camer a couple of times too. Most of these were paid jumps so I wanted to "tough it out". Usually I ended up with weeks of trouble/pain afterwards. Not recommended. ciel bleu, Saskia Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
