When should a diver stop diving after experiencing middle ear squeeze symptoms?

Stopping diving until cleared by medical evaluation is the most prudent and safety-conscious approach after experiencing middle ear squeeze symptoms. Middle ear squeeze, or barotitis, occurs when there is a failure to equalize pressure in the middle ear as a diver descends, leading to pain, discomfort, and potential injury to the ear structures.

Continuing to dive after the onset of symptoms can exacerbate the condition and increase the risk of serious complications such as eardrum rupture, which may lead to further health issues, including potential hearing loss and inner ear damage. A medical evaluation helps ensure that the diver has no underlying injury and is fit to return to diving safely.

Other choices, such as stopping immediately after symptoms arise or when symptoms begin to fade, do not account for the possibility that the diver may still have residual issues that need medical assessment. Taking pain medication might alleviate discomfort temporarily, but it does not address the underlying problem of pressure imbalance in the ear; it could lead to a diver ignoring critical symptoms and potentially diving again too soon. Hence, the correct and safest action is to seek a medical evaluation before returning to diving activities.