What proportion of scuba divers can equalize ears "no hands"?

[Anthony Appleyard]

A query about a point that has caused comment about my CGI scuba diving images:

What proportion of scuba divers can equalize their ears without pinching their noses (either by hand or by a noseclip)?

I can do it easily routinely, by pinching my nose by the action of 2 small muscles called "compressor naris" or similar, which run from the front of the cartilaginous nasal septum back to the bone of the face. Their effect is to wrinkle the nose. I was surprised when I found that many divers can't do that.

 

[scrane]

Give me a minute. I'm trying to come up with a silly response.

 

[scrane]

No, nothing's coming to me.

 

[Ghost95]

I can. Used to ride the anchor with one hand a speargun in the other.

 

[Bob DBF]

No, nothing's coming to me.

I'll have to log that.


As for the question, if I'm diving a lot, I can.

 

[lexvil]

I can except when I can’t

 

[sabbe]

I can, but only after moving out of New England. I think I was allergic to the whole state.

 

[rick00001967]

maybe the right ear. def not the left.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

+1 in the NO camp

 

[JonG1]

I can, find it marginally easier on CCR not sure why