06/18/2026
A topic came up the other day about ear care and what people do or use, especially when diving back to back days. Nothing can ruin a trip faster! Here are a few tips:
1. I personally use a pair of ventilated ear plugs called SurfEar Pros. Ventilated is a must here to allow for ear equalization! There are others out there like Doc ProPlugs. The reason I like SurfEars over Docs is how they fit in your ears with multiple things to hold them in. They have never fallen out on their own, also has a better leash, so you don’t lose one.
https://surfears.com/product/surfears-4-0/
2. Ear shield sprays - I have used these and have mixed reviews for my ears. You apply these in each ear before diving to create a barrier that water doesn’t pass to the eardrum. Ear shield is a popular brand.
3. 50/50 treatment after a dive. Getting the outer ear dry helps prevent ear infections. The 50/50 is a 50% mix of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. Putting a few drops in each ear after your final dive day. Now the alcohol may not feel pleasant in some folks' ears, and at times I also use Natural Ear ear drops. These use oils instead of alcohol.
4. Equalize early and often and stay hydrated! Hydration helps thin mucus, allowing for smoother equalization.
There are other techniques, such as using a hair dryer after diving, and avoiding certain foods before diving to help equalization.
If you have other techniques, please share!
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