dizziness after springboard diving

Question
Hi, my name is Enrique I'm 20 years old.Yesterday I started taking diving lessons.I jumped about 15 times from the 10 feet springboard.

Today In the morning I woke up felling dizzy, and unbalanced.So I went to the doctor and he told me that the dizziness was probably caused by a barotrauma from diving the day before.

So my question is, does this problem is normal ,and what is recomended for avoiding this(special earplugs)?

Answer
Enrique -

The problem you are having does happen in this sport. The reason it is has happened is that your instructor should have had you start on the one meter board and learn dives there instead of going off the 3 meter on the first day. You do not need to be at that height as a beginner especially if you are prone to ear problems

When you go deep underwater, pressure builds up inside your ear and squeezes your ear tubes. When this is done repeatedly, you will experience problems. What you need to know how to do is what is called "equalizing". This is something done by SCUBA divers when they go deep underwater. To do this, you need to slowly submerge to the point you feel pressure on your ears. When you feel this pressure, cover you mouth and nose with your hand and slowly breathe out without letting air go out your nose and mouth. The air will go through your ear canal instead and out the side of your head. You will then feel a slight pop that will make the pressure/pain go away. This is the same thing that happens when you are in an airplane and feel ear pressure. Your ears will pop when the plane descends.

If your dizziness continues, you may want to go back to your doctor. Wearing earplugs is not recommended as I do not know any divers that use them. You need to be able to equalize or you will have more problems.You cannot do this with earplugs.

I suggest diving off the one meter board and not going so deep until you are used to the sport and the pressure of going deep.