Avoid the Valsalva Maneuver for Equalizing!

[rick00001967]

very good information to share.

we always discuss various methods with new students. we are required to. but i would say the vast majority still pinch and blow.

as stated many times, the key is to make sure they start as soon as the head hits the water (some do it even before that), and to continue doing it gently as they descend, "before" they feel any pressure or discomfort.

do it early. do it often.....as they say.

the other problems we see is people with allergies, colds, sinus issues, or just small eustachian tubes. and sometimes just people who are not very aware of how their body feels and reacts.

i had a student once who was an ear specialist and performed pressure tests on people all the time to check if their tubes were doing what they are supposed to do. i tell any student having a lot of trouble to go see him and find out.

 

[admikar]

Most important thing for me is comfortable hood. If it's tight on lower part of head/neck, I will have a lot of problems to equalize left side.
I prefer VTO, but if that fails, it's combination of Toynbee/Frenzel and working my jaw.

 

[Dody]

What is frustrating is that I used to be able to do entry right after OW. Off I go back rolling and before I know it, I am at 20m. Now, after two minor barotraumas, I am so scared that I don’t even try.

 

[DogDiver]

Good information here on this thread. However calling one technique as “dangerous” is a little over the top. Perhaps using verbs like harmful or helpful might be more in line for this education forum.

 

[rick00001967]

Good information here on this thread. However calling one technique as “dangerous” is a little over the top. Perhaps using verbs like harmful or helpful might be more in line for this education forum.

good point. even using a fork to eat can be dangerous if not done properly. but we dont tell people not to use forks anymore. it is one option. as someone said earlier, if it does not work easily the first time then it just won't work. try something else.

 

[edwants2dive]

Chew gum! Just kidding works on an airplane but not feasible diving. I use the Tense Your Throat and Push Your Jaw Forward method most and also the Valsalva as well being careful not to blow to hard.

 

[WeRtheOcean]

Good for you. It is still a dangerous technique, and should not be taught as the "only" technique in OW classes, especially when there are others that work as well or better.

perhaps as an alternate if other ways don't work.

Chew gum! Just kidding works on an airplane

I hit upon the Valsalva maneuver by myself as a kid for air travel, after my mom tried to teach me other methods that I couldn't get to work. Chew gum? Really? No, it doesn't work on an airplane. But I'll give these a chance.

 

[mmerriman]

Good information here on this thread. However calling one technique as “dangerous” is a little over the top. Perhaps using verbs like harmful or helpful might be more in line for this education forum.

agreed. I've been using valsalva for almost 40 years with never an issue

 

[Angelo Farina]

agreed. I've been using valsalva for almost 40 years with never an issue

After careful analysis, I did find that a number of divers reporting this "fact" are actually using something else, more often some variation of Frenzel or, more seldom, Toynbee or Lowry.
If you can perform your "valsalva" while breathing, or with empty lungs, then definitely it is not a true Valsalva.

 

[scubaozy]

After careful analysis, I did find that a number of divers reporting this "fact" are actually using something else, more often some variation of Frenzel or, more seldom, Toynbee or Lowry.
If you can perform your "valsalva" while breathing, or with empty lungs, then definitely it is not a true Valsalva.

Exactly my experience, some people cannot control their soft palate, they have it always in neutral position. I found its super easy to teach them to do the Frenzel and often only way. Pay attention to the people who snort when laughing, my theory is that they are more likely to do Frenzel than valsalva due lack of control.