LifeWaters

Wearing earplugs might seem like a simple way to protect your ears. But when it comes to diving, they can do more harm than good.

During descent, divers must equalize pressure in the middle ear. Traditional earplugs create an air space that your anatomy cannot equalize. As pressure increases, the earplug can be pushed deeper into the ear canal while the eardrum is forced outward, potentially causing serious injury, including barotrauma. (Vented earplugs aren't a reliable solution; if the vent becomes blocked by debris like earwax, they can create the same risk.)

❌ DAN does not endorse the use of earplugs for diving. Depending on the issue, safer alternatives may be available.

Discuss options with your medical provider. DAN Medical Services is available for consultation if you or your provider have questions.

Read the full article at dan.org/avoid-diving-with-earplugs.

✍️ Leandra Lynn, AEMT
📷 Stephen Frink

CONGRATULATIONS TO LIFEWATERS NEWEST SDI SCUBILITY DIVE BUDDIES: Please welcome: Ken Hoffman, Steve Martinez, Keith Casper, Kevin Casper, Mike Hess and Zoey Hess! Ken, Steve, Keith and Kevin will be SDI SCUBILITY OPEN WATER DIVE INSTRUCTORS BY THE END OF THE WEEK. If you live on the upper east coast of the US, please check out Big Daddy Scuba if you are in need of adapted Open Water diving or if you would like to become a volunteer Scubility Dive Buddy. What a great weekend it was! Lifewaters is thrilled to have such excellent Instructors and Scubility Dive buddies join us!

Meet Dolly, a loggerhead × hawksbill hybrid and one of Florida’s rarest ocean stories. 🐢✨

Genetically confirmed 50% loggerhead and 50% hawksbill, she blends traits from both species in remarkable ways, from her nesting behavior to her egg production. She was first encountered in 2021 and fitted with a satellite tag. Since then, Dolly has returned multiple times, offering an extraordinary look into sea turtle migration, reproduction, and resilience.

Fun fact: Genetics of her hatchlings show that they are typically 75% loggerhead and 25% hawksbill, indicating that she mates with loggerhead males!

What does a day as a LifeWaters Scubility Dive Buddy look like on one of our trips? It looks a lot like this!

Spots are filling up fast on our Cozumel MX and Jupiter, FL trips, grab yours now. Not a LifeWaters Scubility buddy yet? Get started today! (Link in comments)

LifeWaters is a 501.c.3 nonprofit that provides adaptive SCUBA diving training and camaraderie by bringing adventure and healing to Veterans, First Responders, and Civilians with disabilities. If you would like to become a LifeWaters participant or volunteer, please go to LifeWaters.org and use the "Contact Us" form.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUs4VvmY4QA

A Day in the Life of a LifeWaters Volunteer 🌊 | The Heart Behind Every Dive What does a day on a LifeWaters dive trip really look like? 🌊https://youtu.be/WUs4VvmY4QAFrom loading tanks and setting up gear to assisting divers and shar...