A Few Questions About Equalization

[-JD-]

This video, and daily dry practice, really helped my then 13 year old son figure out how to equalize. Some techniques work better for some than others. Try a few.

 

[Seaweed Doc]

Can you practice in a public pool? My son and I "race" to the bottom of the pool and, if needed, I pinch my nose and blow lightly.

The fluid could be due to a slight eardrum rupture, but i'd guess it's a middle ear barotrauma situation. That is, your fluid not the environment's fluid.

You didn't mention how old you are, other than young-ish. Under 25?

I learned to equalize under water easily enough, but clogged Eustachian tubes above water caused issues for me. Staying well hydrated helps, as does pseudoephedrine (not recommended when diving) and ibuprofen. In my case, age gave me experience and self-awareness.

 

[IncreaseMyT]

I just got open water certified last weekend, and I absolutely love this activity/sport/hobby! Just 25ft below the surface and you’re already in another world. One of the best experiences of my life. But I do have a few questions.

Is it possible to be physically unable to equalize? I knew I’d have some difficulties doing it because I had troubles in the pool, and I have a history of ear infections. But the first 2 dives I was unable to equalize and had to resurface. I ended up getting fluid behind my eardrum and was able to equalize to get my certification.

I grew up on the water and had always been an avid swimmer/water skier/hydro-foil. I have smacked my ear so many times that I always had trouble getting in the water in my latter years. I even had tubes put in my ear when I was a kid.

I thought that equalizing was a no go for me, my friends tried to get me to do my OW but for 2 years I pushed it off telling them there is no way my ears could handle it.

Last year for mini-lobster season they talked me into going down there with them. Much to my surprise I had no issues equalizing at all, and through about 30 dives now up to 110 feet I have had no issues with my ears at all.

The key is to equalize early and often, already its become a habit for me. So don't let this deter you, just equalize every 5 feet or so. Also what I have found is the first 20 feet is worse than the rest, it gets easier to equalize the deeper you go.

Good luck,

 

[The_Paper_Cut]

Honestly, it sounds more like a neurological problem than a physical problem. In other words, you're so focused on it being a problem that it makes it more difficult for you to actually do it. Just tell yourself that you can do it and that it's no big deal and as soon as you start the positive thinking, I can almost guarantee you it'll get incrementally easier.

That honestly could be it. I’ll go into my next dive more open minded and see if that helps any. Thanks for that!

 

[The_Paper_Cut]

I grew up on the water and had always been an avid swimmer/water skier/hydro-foil. I have smacked my ear so many times that I always had trouble getting in the water in my latter years. I even had tubes put in my ear when I was a kid.

I thought that equalizing was a no go for me, my friends tried to get me to do my OW but for 2 years I pushed it off telling them there is no way my ears could handle it.

Last year for mini-lobster season they talked me into going down there with them. Much to my surprise I had no issues equalizing at all, and through about 30 dives now up to 110 feet I have had no issues with my ears at all.

The key is to equalize early and often, already its become a habit for me. So don't let this deter you, just equalize every 5 feet or so. Also what I have found is the first 20 feet is worse than the rest, it gets easier to equalize the deeper you go.

Good luck,

I’m glad to see other people who also had tubes and the same mindset are able to dive and equalize fine, that really makes me believe it was just some silly mistake I was making when first starting out or something. But once I did get it to work I did notice that after about 25ft, it was very easy to equalize.

 

[The_Paper_Cut]

Can you practice in a public pool? My son and I "race" to the bottom of the pool and, if needed, I pinch my nose and blow lightly.

The fluid could be due to a slight eardrum rupture, but i'd guess it's a middle ear barotrauma situation. That is, your fluid not the environment's fluid.

You didn't mention how old you are, other than young-ish. Under 25?

I learned to equalize under water easily enough, but clogged Eustachian tubes above water caused issues for me. Staying well hydrated helps, as does pseudoephedrine (not recommended when diving) and ibuprofen. In my case, age gave me experience and self-awareness.

I may be able to go to a pool that’s deep enough for that, yeah. Thanks for suggesting that actually, it’s a good idea. And I’ve seen a few people mention taking decongestants on various posts, though I know you aren’t supposed to, it may help if I have one of those days again where I can’t seem to equalize. Thanks for the advice though, I really appreciate it!

 

[GreggS]

If needed, my wife and I use Claritin-D or equivilant store brand. It clears our nasal passages and sinuses without screwing with our heads.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

I may be able to go to a pool that’s deep enough for that, yeah. Thanks for suggesting that actually, it’s a good idea. And I’ve seen a few people mention taking decongestants on various posts, though I know you aren’t supposed to, it may help if I have one of those days again where I can’t seem to equalize. Thanks for the advice though, I really appreciate it!

If you're going to use decongestants, do so well ahead of your dive. The effective ingredients in them change properties at depth and can have some adverse effects that could lead to a more serious problem than trouble equalizing.

 

[rsingler]

These last several posts about decongestants have me just a touch anxious, since we're in an Intro forum. We should NOT be recommending them lightly.
Specifically, the notion of "well in advance" must prompt the reminder that diving as your decongestant is possibly wearing off may put you in a bind.
Second is the potential for rebound stuffiness issues afterward, which may lead to an infection if you have retained water in your middle ear from repeated Valsalva maneuvers.
Finally, while a one-off use to save a planned dive MIGHT be okay, any notion of saving a multi-day dream vacation by repeated, daily use of a decongestant in order to dive is probably a really bad idea.

My 2 cents.

Diving Doc

 

[Addicted2H2O]

These last several posts about decongestants have me just a touch anxious, since we're in an Intro forum. We should NOT be recommending them lightly.
Specifically, the notion of "well in advance" must prompt the reminder that diving as your decongestant is possibly wearing off may put you in a bind.
Second is the potential for rebound stuffiness issues afterward, which may lead to an infection if you have retained water in your middle ear from repeated Valsalva maneuvers.
Finally, while a one-off use to save a planned dive MIGHT be okay, any notion of saving a multi-day dream vacation by repeated, daily use of a decongestant in order to dive is probably a really bad idea.

My 2 cents.

Diving Doc

Maybe I mispoke a bit with my "well ahead of the dive" comment, but to be clear, I'm not recommending them at all. Antihistamines like Claritin are okay for allergies, but I personally wouldn't trust taking a decongestant before a dive simply because I don't know how my body will react to them at depth.