Sunday, September 02, 2007

Damn this frail human body!

I'm not going diving today. I'm going to follow my friends along to the dive site, and watch and help while they go. But there's no way I can put my head in the water without blowing out my ear drums.

Just yesterday I told a friend that I would keep up my current pace of work and travel and play and diving until it made me sick. At the time, a small allergy attack was affecting me, but I thought it would be temporary. It didn't abate last night, and I awoke this morning with a fully stuffed head.

When diving it's important to equalize the pressure in your sinuses and inner ear with the ambient pressure at depth. Snot prevents this. Meaning that on the way down you experience pain as the pressure builds until eventually something breaks. I've met a diver who could blow bubbles out his ear. While an amazing party trick, this is by no means a desirable thing.

Sure nature didn't design us to live underwater. But our glorious intelligence and technology has overcome these mere physical limitations. Hasn't it? Mostly. *sigh* Some days I'm reminded I'm still only human and have physical limits. No matter how much I don't like it.

Update: Two hours later, and I've bailed entirely. I sent Tobias on without me. I'm going to take advantage of my stuffed head, do the heavy dusting, and then consider an afternoon nap.

4 comments:

Minka said...

Wise choice.
I guess going diving in cold water and changing clothes outside is not helpful when to comes to stuffed noses. Be careful!
Just FYI, I don't think bubbles come out of my ears underwater...so you can go ahea dplanning my dive practcies :)

I Dive At Night said...

I'm thinking it might have started with an irritation from taking in a nose or two of pool water. Just part of demonstrating scuba without a mask. It tickles but doesn't make you laugh.

I prescribe myself more sleep, less drink, and more veggies. If you could also prescribe a decongestant that would be nice too.

That second topic deserves its own email. ;)

J. D. said...

Please feel well soon! I'm glad common sence seems to reign at your house.....Mom

I Dive At Night said...

Napping helped a lot! Thanks.