What is a recommended treatment action for middle ear squeeze during diving?

• A. Cease diving
• B. Report to dive supervisor
• C. Seek medical attention
• D. Take decongestants

Answer: (A)

When middle ear squeeze occurs, the immediate priority is to stop the dive. Halting descent prevents the pressure from increasing on the middle ear, reducing the risk of tympanic membrane rupture or other barotrauma. If the ear cannot equalize, forcing further descent only makes the pressure difference worse, so ceasing diving allows you to surface safely and give the ear a chance to re-equilibrate with ambient pressure.

Once on the surface, monitor symptoms. If hearing loss, ear pain persists, dizziness, or drainage, seek medical attention. Reporting to a dive supervisor is a safety step for your team and future dives, but the most urgent action during the incident is to stop the dive. Decongestants are not a reliable fix for middle ear squeeze and should not replace stopping the dive and attempting safe ascent.