Diving Ear Equalizing Tips | Techniques That Don't Hurt and Common Mistakes to Avoid
"Ear equalizing" is where most beginners hit their first snag during diving training. Not getting it right and ending up with ear pain is enough to put some people off diving altogether. This article covers why you need to equalize, the main techniques, and the points that help you avoid mistakes.
In short, if you equalize early and often, before you feel any pain, and never force it, you'll get the hang of it and be able to do it without issue.
Why Does Diving Require Equalizing?
Underwater, the deeper you go, the higher the water pressure. At just 10m, you're already under twice the pressure you experience on land, and this pressure difference creates a mismatch between the air pressure on the inside and outside of your eardrum, causing pain or discomfort. Equalizing means matching the pressure inside your ear (middle ear) to the outside water pressure, typically by pinching your nose and pushing air into it. Skip it, and you risk an ear barotrauma, where your eardrum gets pushed inward — in severe cases, this can lead to a ruptured eardrum.
What Are the Main Equalizing Techniques?
1. Valsalva Maneuver
Pinch your nose, keep your mouth closed, and apply pressure as if pushing air out through your nose — this is the most basic technique and usually the first one taught in courses. Using too much force can hurt your ears, so the key is a light touch.
2. Toynbee Maneuver
With your nose still pinched, equalize by swallowing as if gulping. It's gentler than the Valsalva maneuver, so many divers combine the two once they're used to it.
3. Frenzel Maneuver
This uses the back of your throat (the base of your tongue) to push pressure through, and it's characterized by being easy to repeat many times without forcing it. It takes a bit of practice to master, but it puts less strain on your ears and is favored by experienced divers.
What Are the Keys to Not Failing at Equalizing?
- Check the feel of equalizing while still on the surface: rather than trying it for the first time after you start descending, checking your pinch and how you push air on the surface first goes more smoothly
- Equalize early and often, before it hurts: trying to equalize after your ear already hurts makes it harder to clear. A good pace is roughly equalizing every few seconds as you descend
- Descend straight down, feet-first: descending head-down makes your eustachian tubes more prone to closing up. Especially as a beginner, using a line and descending vertically feet-first is recommended
- If it won't clear, ascend a little rather than forcing it: continuing to descend without equalizing is dangerous. Ascend a few dozen centimeters to relieve the pressure, then try again
- Avoid diving with a cold or a stuffy nose: when your eustachian tubes are blocked by inflammation, equalizing becomes drastically harder than usual, and the risk of barotrauma goes up
- Relax rather than tensing up: tensing up from nerves can also make your eustachian tubes more prone to closing. Take a deep breath and try to equalize while relaxed
What If I Still Can't Equalize?
If it won't clear no matter how many times you try, the basic response is to ascend a little without forcing it and try again. If you have chronically difficult equalizing, ongoing pain, or trouble with water not draining, it's also worth consulting an ENT specialist. Checking for any sinusitis or rhinitis symptoms as part of your pre-dive health check also directly affects how easily you'll equalize.
Summary
Equalizing is a basic diving skill, and it's never actually difficult once you get the hang of it. Do it early and often, without forcing it, and you can keep diving without pain. Some days it won't go smoothly — don't rush, and keep finding the technique that fits you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What happens if I keep diving without equalizing?
A. You risk an ear barotrauma, where the eardrum is pushed inward, and in severe cases this can lead to a ruptured eardrum. Don't push through it — ascend a little and try again.
Q. Does having a cold make equalizing harder?
A. Yes. When your eustachian tubes are blocked by inflammation, equalizing becomes much harder than usual and the risk of barotrauma goes up, so avoid diving when you're not feeling well.
Q. Should I stick to just one equalizing technique?
A. Not necessarily. Many divers switch between the Valsalva, Toynbee, and Frenzel maneuvers depending on the situation.
Q. Is struggling to equalize just a matter of physical makeup?
A. There's individual variation, but in most cases it improves once you get the hang of it. Practicing patiently, without rushing, matters most.
Q. Can I practice equalizing on land?
A. You can safely get a feel for pinching your nose and applying light pressure on land. That said, always get instruction from an instructor before your actual dive.