10 Tips for Easy Equalizing

Master This!

Many people have trouble equalizing during a dive, me included. A sure method to make your dive more enjoyable to master the art of equalization. This is something you may need to practice both in and out of the water. The more you do it, the easier it will become. If the problem persists, you may want to get checked out by an ENT doc.

Here are 10 tips for easy equalizing:

1. Listen for the “pop”

Before you even board the boat, make sure that when you swallow you hear a “pop” or “click” in both ears.

 

2. Start early
Several hours before your dive, begin gently equalizing your ears every few minutes.

 

3. Equalize at the surface
“Pre-pressurizing” at the surface helps get you past the critical first few feet of descent.

 

4.Descend feet first
Air tends to rise up your Eustachian tubes, and fluid-like mucus tends to drain downward.

 

5. Look up
Extending your neck tends to open your Eustachian tubes.

 

6. Use a descent line
Pulling yourself down an anchor or mooring line helps control your descent rate more accurately.

 

7. Stay ahead
Equalize often, trying to maintain a slight positive pressure in your middle ears.

 

8. Stop if it hurts
Don’t try to push through pain.

 

9. Avoid tobacco and alcohol
Both tobacco smoke and alcohol irritate your mucus membranes, promoting more mucus that can block your Eustachian tubes.

 

10. Keep your mask clear
Water up your nose can irritate your mucus membranes, which then produce more of the stuff that clogs.

Read the entire article at divher.com.