peter Thomas

Seeing red

There’s a growing pain in your face as you descend, it’s sharp and feels like the ‘brain freeze’ you suffer when you rapidly consume ice cream. Later, you’re ready to ascend but as you do so, you go through a rather disgusting experience as your sinuses expand and force out an unpleasant mix of blood and mucus.

This is one such possibility of a nosebleed during a dive. Nosebleeds are more common in nascent divers still learning equalisation techniques but can also affect experienced underwater explorers.

What causes a diver’s nose to bleed?

First off, an explanation of how sinuses work. Air flows into your sinuses when you inhale through your nose or mouth. Sinuses produce mucus, the unpleasant yet necessary secretion usually referred to as ‘snot’. While it’s regarded as a disgusting substance, it aids our health. Mucus contains antibodies and enzymes aimed at neutralising or killing harmful airborne bacteria.

Your sinuses move air and