Doc’s Proplugs
If you’ve ever had trouble with your ears while scuba diving, Doc’s Proplugs can help. I’ve been using Doc’s vented ear plugs for years, and without them, I would have easily missed out on dozens of dives.
Doc’s Proplugs come in a vented model for scuba divers and non-vented model for swimmers. If you are buying these ear plugs for scuba diving you must buy the vented model. These have a small hole in the center of the plug to equalize the airspace between your ear, and the inside of the plug.
Why I Use Doc’s Proplugs
When I was younger I had tubes put in my ears which left a tiny scar inside my ear on the tympanic membrane. This pin hole scar is definitely my Achilles heal, and I’ve managed to tear it four times, always when diving at shallow depth.
As a dive instructor, we are non-stop in the water. And after bobbing up and down a few times to assist with students, or starting a shallow dive at the end of a long day, my ears are often irritated making equalization difficult. When you have to keep diving and force an equalization a ruptured tympanic membrane can happen without warning. You will feel a quick pop, follow by extreme vertigo.
Like a tiny shield for tiny scar’s, Doc’s Proplugs provide a barrier which reduced the overall water pressure on your ear—making equalization more comfortable. And while we don’t recommend diving with a perforated tympanic membrane, the truth is as a professional dive instructor sometimes you have no other choice.
There are serious risks associated with getting water inside your middle ear and if you find yourself with an injury and just can’t stay dry, we recommend a pair of Doc’s Proplugs and a ProEar 2000 over the ear mask. We promise you won’t look cool, but your ears have a chance at staying dry. The ProEar mask takes some time getting used to and we found using it with the Doc Proplugs reduces any anxiety about getting water inside your ear.
Doc’s Proplugs come in eight sizes and you can print a sizing guide for selecting the perfect size plugs. Proplugs comes in two colors Red and Clear and you can buy them online on the Doc’s Proplug site for $13.95.
