Learning to properly equalize and developing the technique to do so smoothly and efficiently is key to many years of fun, safe, injury-free diving. While equalizing may seem like a simple task (and it generally is), it can be difficult to master and perfect. You can use multiple techniques, and what works for one person may not work for another.
Finding the perfect technique for you, developing it, and refining it requires patience, practice, and listening to your ears for feedback and guidance on what is working best for you!
Find the Perfect Technique for You
When it comes to equalization, there are many techniques and methods for you to choose from. Generally, the one you learn early on in your diving career is called the Valsalva. This is when you pinch your nose and gently blow through it. While this technique is the most commonly used and works for a wide range of people, it does have its issues.
One of the main drawbacks of the Valsalva maneuver is that it does not naturally open up your Eustachian tube. Instead, the maneuver relies on the force of air and pressure to open your tubes and equalize your ears. The maneuver can be difficult for those with narrow tubes or mucus build-up, and the force required to open up your tubes can be a problem.
Other equalization methods actually include a movement or mechanism that causes your Eustachian tubes to open up. Choosing one of these can better fit you and make equalizing easier. One thing to keep in mind is that the Valsalva is so popular due to its simplicity. Other maneuvers are more difficult to learn to perform and require practice to perfect. Ultimately there is no “right” equalization technique; you need to find the best method for you!
Gentle is the way forward
When it comes to equalization techniques, Gentle is the Keyword. Equalization involves forcing air at pressure into areas of your face and ears. Because of this, it is best always to be gentle. Forcing the issue and blowing hard can cause serious problems.
This is particularly true if you use the Valsalva maneuver, where it is very easy to blow hard enough to cause damage. One of the most severe injuries you can cause by blowing too hard during a Valsalva equalization is rupturing one of your “round Windows.” These injuries take a very long time to heal and can require minor surgery.
While a window rupture is one of the more serious injuries, many other minor barotraumas can occur and negatively affect your diving. That is why you should always treat your ears gently and look after them when scuba diving.
Pre-Pressurization Can Work Wonders
One of the best little habits to develop as a diver is a gentle pre-pressurization of your sinuses and ears. This involves equalizing (generally via the Valsalva maneuver) just before you begin your dive on the surface. As a rule, you do this as you deflate your BCD to begin your descent.
Pre-pressurization can give your ears a “head start” in the equalization’s stakes. By doing it on the surface, you pressurize your ears and sinuses without the additional pressure of the water. This opens up your air passages and Eustachian tubes. Many divers report that pre-pressurizing sets their ears up for the dive, and equalizing is easier than when they don’t pre-pressurize their ears.
Pre-pressurization is simple and takes a fraction of a second to do. Try it and see if it makes your equalization smoother and easier. If it does, then incorporating it into your descent routine is a breeze due to its simplicity.
Equalize Early and Often for Best Results
One of the biggest mistakes people make with equalization is waiting until they feel substantial pressure on the ear or even mild discomfort before attempting to equalize using their preferred technique.
This is a big mistake since by the time you feel the effects of pressure on your ears, it is too late, and your body is under stress. Equalizing at this point is not about gently keeping your ears in equilibrium but about alleviating the pain and then coming close to equilibrium. Doing this creates a cycle of stress on your ears and sinuses, which can irritate your mucus membranes, creating more mucus and making it harder to equalize. This ends up in a cycle of equalization problems that will only worsen with time since every time you dive; you stress your ears and air spaces.
The solution to avoid being trapped in these cycles is to equalize regularly and often. Every couple of meters/feet, a small equalization keeps your ears and air spaces in equilibrium and does not allow them to get stressed. In the long term, this avoids stress and injuries and means you can enjoy your diving for years without major equalization or ear problems.
A Well-Fitting Mask Is A Must
If you are wondering what role your mask plays in having an excellent equalization experience, it’s a big one. Many divers often have an ill-fitting mask and will spend their dives swimming around with a small amount of water sloshing around their mask. This can be a total equalization killer, especially when diving in salt water.
Saltwater is an irritant, and when your nose is constantly submerged in saltwater, it leads to the creation of additional mucus. Not surprisingly, this additional extra mucus will serve nothing positive, and all it will do is cause more blockages, thus making equalizing even more difficult.
If you are struggling with equalizing, you want to give yourself the best chance, so start by ensuring you have a properly fitting mask that stays clear and leak-free throughout the whole dive.
Looking Up Can Help
No matter which equalization technique you use, they all have something in common. All methods require that your Eustachian tubes open to allow air to pass into the ear. If your tubes cannot open, then you will not be able to equalize regardless of the technique you use.
Fortunately, certain mechanical movements of your head can help open up the Eustachian tube. Extending your head as if you are looking up actually causes your Eustachian tube to open up and makes equalizing a little easier. If you struggle with some equalizing maneuvers, it may be worth your while to extend your neck and look up while doing them to see if you start to get better results.
Looking up can help, especially in cases where you can equalize but with difficulty due to narrow or slightly clogged tubes, since giving your eustachian tubes a mechanical boost can be a real winner.
No Drinking Alcohol and No Smoking
If you regularly struggle with equalizing and suffer from clogged sinuses and Eustachian tubes, the main culprit is mucus. Both alcohol and nicotine are mucus membrane irritants that trigger the production of mucus, thus making it even harder to equalize.
Refraining from alcohol and smoking is always recommended. This is especially true before diving, and if you have equalization issues, it is advisable that you refrain from both for at least several days prior to diving.
Stop If You Feel Pain
It will come as no surprise that if, at any point during descent or ascent, you start to feel pain in your ears, stop immediately. If you are descending, ascend until the pain goes away. You can then try to complete your descent slowly while equalizing again. If you feel the squeeze on the ascent, you will also need to stop and descend a foot or two until the pain eases. Then try and ascend very slowly to allow time for your ears and sinuses to equalize by themselves. To give your ears and sinuses a better chance, you can jut your chin out and look up to try to open up your Eustachian Tubes and air spaces, allowing the equalization to occur.
Needless to say, the worst thing you can do in this situation is “push it.” Remember, it is never advisable to try and force your ears to do something they don’t want to do. More often than not, you will injure them, which can lead to severe consequences, including making it impossible for you to scuba dive ever again. Going easy and gently and listening to your ears is the best way to master your equalization techniques.
