Over the past few months I spent a lot of time in the water. Not doing anything cool like spearfishing. Some of you might have read the thread about the underwater documentary for a japanese TV show, i took it down for confidentiality sake, but will post it back up in a few weeks after its aired. Along with a sleuth of new footage and behind the scene stuff...Anyways... Initially we were only supposed to have about 15 minuets of footage in the hour long documentary, but as things progressed I was told that we were going to be doing around 25-30 minuets..needless to say, since i was the only videographer, that added a massive amount of pressure to me and my planning. Aside from diving in sebastian(which was absolutely horrible) and the times we went to the keys, all the back and forth driving at night, sleeping a few hours did take a toll on my system. Most of the crew lived on the boat in Sebastian while it was at port, and I stayed at my place or hotels when we were in the keys filming (too bad in sebastian)...One guy would get sick and the rest of the gang would after that, mostly sinus issues and ear aches...
Okay, TWO things that I recommend that every diver should use as it 100% without a shadow of a doubt made the difference of me diving/filming or not was...A NETI Pot, And Tea Tree Oil...oil in your ears and neti pot for your sinuses. I would honestly fill a thermos with hot water and mix it out on the boat some days when i was bad. instant relief. It also saved the day when the main superstar actress got sick and couldn't dive as well. I bought her a neti pot and now she carries one with her everywhere she goes when she travels the world...she told me she just used it on another film shoot as well...she was only there for 9 days at roughly 11k a day...there was absolutely no time, what-so-ever for days down...
Seriously, get both and keep them handy. I like to use the oils on dive days even if my ears dont hurt. a few drops and its like and instant relief on your ears, and its almost like you can hear better as well.. I had my ears professionally cleaned before the trip and they are clear, so its not my imagination but the oil really helps.
As far as the neti pot is concerned. There are several points i must make about it.
1. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS use 100% filtered water, never tap water, and none of that water with electrolytes or any bull shit like that...you dont want to get any nasty bacteria growing in your sinus cavities. Boiling also works. Make sure to pour some water on your arm to be sure its not too hot.
2. Always, sterilize the pot by nuking it with a little water inside it, dump it and put fresh stuff.
3. Make sure you mouth is open when you are pouring. Or else youll clog back up again.
4. When you are done flushing, blow your nose out and wipe your face so you dont look like a 2 year old, and switch nostrils, then do it again. I like to do them twice. Youll wish you had one sooner.
Also, for those that get seasick or know of someone that does. There is one instant cure, peppermint oil. One drop, bam...done. Worked ever time with the non sea fairing japanese...ive used it on jet ski tours and boat trips as well.
I have been using Tea Tree Oil for only about 3years now. I second that it is powerful stuff as you wrote. (but I have used if for years on my GFs boobies with no noted size increase :rolleyes1: )
