How to Equalize Ear Pressure using the Valsalva Maneuver while SCUBA diving

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http://greatdivers.com/yt/equalize

For more information about equalization techniques visit our blog post on the subject:

https://greatdivers.com/preventing-scuba-diving-ear-problems

How to Equalize Ear Pressure for SCUBA Diving

Why do my ears hurt underwater?

As we descend into underwater, the pressure surrounding us increases. That rise in pressure causes our ear drums to compress. This happens because the water pressure outside of our ear is greater than the air pressure inside of our ear.
Equalization is the procedure divers use to equalize the air pressure in our inner ear to the pressure outside of our ear. We do this by pushing air from our sinuses to our inner ear through the Eustachian Tube.

When to equalize when SCUBA diving?

Equalization occurs early and often. Before you break the surface and begin your descent, you should begin to equalize. You should equalize every couple of feet as you descend in the water column. If you do not equalize early and often, your eardrum can compress causing pain. The pressure can even close your Eustachian Tube. This is known as the “trapdoor effect” and can be avoided by equalizing early and often as you descend

One good tip to follow is if you feel pain in your ears, you have descended too far without equalizing. In the event that your feel pressure in your ears, stop your descent and ascend a few feet until the pain goes away and then try to equalize.

You should never equalize on ascent. The air in your ear needs to escape as the surrounding pressure decreases. Because of this, there is no need to add more air to your inner ear on ascent.
How to equalize underwater

There are several different ear equalization techniques you can use to relieve ear pressure. Which one you decide to use or works for you depends on your physiology, how your sinuses are functioning on the day you are equalizing and preference.

The most common method of equalization is called the Valsalva maneuver. This is probably the one that you were taught in your dive class.

You perform the Valsalva Maneuver by pinching your nose and gently pushing air to the back of your throat through the Eustachian tubes and into your inner ear. While you do not want to blow too hard, you do need to apply enough force to feel your ears filling with air.

If the Valsalva maneuver does not work, do not worry!

There are several ear equalization techniques you can use.

Turning your head from one side or another while performing the Maneuver help
Swallowing while doing the Valsalva
A combination of the above.
Tilting you head back while attempting the Valsalva
Wiggling your jaw forward while trying the Valsalva
The Toynbee Maneuver and can be used. You perform the Toynbee maneuver by swallowing with your mouth closed and your nose pinched. You do not have to blow out while doing this
The Frenzel Maneuver is another alternative. It is performed by pinching your nose while pressing your tongue against the back of your throat while making a T or D sound.

What if I still Can't Equalize Pressure??

Below are a few tips you can use to assist your equalization.

Descending feet first: If you have trouble equalizing, try descending feet-first rather than doing a head-first descent. This reduces the change in surrounding pressure drastically.
Descending on a line: If you’re still having difficulty equalizing, you can control your descent even further by descending on a line feet-first.
Chewing gum before your dive: This relaxes your soft palate which has been known to assist in equalization. That being said, YOU CANNOT chew gum during your dive. This could cause a dangerous situation, so do not do it!

A few of things to remember:

Equalize right before you begin your descent and continually all the way down to your destination.
Remember that we never equalize while ascending.
If you feel pain in your ears on descent, stop and ascend until the pain goes away before attempting to equalize.
Remember to try descending feet-first if you are having difficulty equalizing
Do not dive when you are congested.
Practice several methods of equalization
Remember that practice makes perfect.

If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:

Don’t forget to download our free guide “The Four Keys to mastering your Diving.” In it we go over several little-known tips to make you a better diver. Many of these tips are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.

http://greatdivers.com/yt/equalize

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