Risk factors for Barotrauma

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.

The following factors increase your chance of developing barotrauma:

• Congested nose from allergies or colds
• Congenital (present before birth) blockage of the eustachian tubes
• Smoker
• Age: children and older adults
  • Eustachian tubes in children are smaller and more likely to become blocked.
• Damaged eustachian tube, caused by scarring or a tumor
• Obstructions in the ear
• Cleft palate or lip-may affect balance of pressure in the middle ears
• Holding your breath while diving
• Deeper dives
• Long amounts of time spent underwater diving
• Repeated dives within 24 hours
• Flying in an airplane after diving
• Rapid climb to the surface when diving
• Fatigue
• Dehydration
• Cold water
• Obesity
• Ill-fitting equipment used for scuba diving
• Congenital (present before birth) blockage or narrowing of the sinus drainage system