jumping off 30+ foot rockface into freezing cold water - ear hurts

[Lemon[H]ead]

Anyone any idea why my ears hurt after i jumped 30 feet off a rock into a freezing cold river?

I mean the rest of me hurt like heck when i slapped against the water (i was doing some speed - heard the air whistling past my ears) but the ears was like when i used to get ear infections when i was little, or when you're in a plane and you dont swallow (but really sore)

it sucked. any ideas?

[NeoStarO1]

Cold Water!!! Yes cold water can make your ears hurt period expecially if you go under the water a ways which I imagine you did after jumping 30ft.

Not much you can do about it execpt time, that is if you didn't bust an eardrum from impact, but im guessing you went in feet first.

[Knothead]

Hey, Lemon, you've GOT to know that your ears are rather intricate instruments, that not only enable your hearing, but also control your sense of balance.
They are incredibly sensitive to changes in pressure...air pressure and water pressure, too.
I don't think it was the temp that is giving you the pain, I think it's what happened when you hit the water from 30 feet up, and went a LONG way down so suddenly!
If you can, get to a Doctor and have them looked at, okay?
I just hope you didn't damage the eardrums.
How's your balance?

Ditto what the knotty one said.

If the pain doesn't subside and especially if you have any loss of hearing, feel really dizzy, or discharge (fluid) come out of your ears, seek a doc pronto.

Next time you feel like doing that kinda jump, think twice, IMO.

Cheers
Mick

[Brainchild]

Ditto here too Lemon

The water wasn't like "solid" was it?

[Lemon[H]ead]

nah the pain has gone, but it was there for a good 5 mins or so after the "impact"

Any way of preventing this in future, other than just not jumping?

can i just say that the jump was totally worth it. none of that stuff mickwish said happened.

[Cruez]

I noticed I had something similar when I went up to the mountains here in NC. I went up to the "mile-high swinging bridge". After I crossed it (very cold & windy up there) when I went into the souvenier shop to get warmed up, my ears were hurting also...might be along the same lines..

Well, earplugs won't help, as the pressure probably would make them pop out anyway. I still think not jumping is the best solution.

The only other thing I could suggest is what divers do. When you hit the water and start sinking, breathe out through your nose and then swallow (not the water, just your saliva, if you have any left!). Dry swallow is fine. What this does is try to equalise pressure in your ears with that in your throat (your inner ear is joined to the back of your thoat with a small tube). This may help your eardrums not feel quite so bashed about. No guarantees it will work, but it might help. A bit like swallowing when having probs in an airplane. I would NOT recommend chewing gum while doing this jump though, even though that's what they suggest on planes. Too likely to cause a breathing problem in this case.

Hope it helps if you ever do it again.

Cheers
Mick

[Imanage]

One of the things in Army training is the 40-foot rope drop. You climb out to the middle of a single rope suspended between two towers 40 feet high, hang by two hands, let go and drop into the water. We used to call that getting an "impact enema". I hope you kept your legs together. It was enough to shear off the buttons on your uniform.

Best to get them ears looked at by a doctor if they hurt at all.

[Cruez]

Originally posted by Imanage
two towers 40 feet high, hang by two hands, let go and drop into the water. We used to call that getting an "impact enema".

LOL, we used to jump into a old open mine that filled up with water... 3 jumps...a 30 footer, a 90, and a 120.....

I did the 120 once...... thats all it took.. found out you don't jump flat-footed or with your palms down....OUCH!