Elias opened his mouth to answer, but his voice sounded hollow inside his own head. "My ear," he muttered, the words sounding muffled. "It feels... pressurized."
"You look pale," Sarah said, stepping closer. "Sinuses?" ear pain after skydiving
The good news is that ear barotrauma from skydiving is usually temporary and treatable. For most jumpers, the pain subsides within a few hours or a day as the Eustachian tubes naturally open and pressure equalizes. Over-the-counter decongestants and nasal sprays can help reduce inflammation and open the tubes, but these should be used with caution and ideally only after consulting a doctor. More severe cases, characterized by persistent pain, dizziness, fluid drainage from the ear, or sudden hearing loss, require prompt medical attention from an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist). Prevention, however, is the best medicine. Skydivers are strongly advised never to jump when congested, to use decongestants proactively (if cleared by a doctor), and to practice equalization techniques throughout the descent, just as a scuba diver would on ascent. Elias opened his mouth to answer, but his
Then, he made the mistake of checking his altitude one last time before setting up his final approach. He looked up at the canopy to ensure the cells were fully inflated. pressurized