Can you equalize WITHOUT pinching your nose?

[Prostar]

I always equalize without pinching my nose. If I can't do it by wiggling my jaw or lifting the back of my tongue, then the ears just aren't going to clear that day and diving is off.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

No pinch for me.

 

[Garrobo]

Yes, after about 10 meters.

 

[WartedEmperor]

I can do it by acting like I am swallowing, but not actually swallow.

 

[calvin007]

Yup, I can. It's hard to describe .. there's no wiggling or swallowing for me. I just flex my inner-ear muscles (I don't know a better way to say it) and they're clear. The coolest part is that it's second nature now, so I don't even have to think about it. I just go down and don't worry about equalizing. When I consciously try to do it, I can hear myself breathing, especially when I breathe through my nose.

Works on planes too...

Yeah, this is exactly how I equalize, but I've found it difficult to get people to understand. I rarely have to pinch my nose or swallow to equalize. It just happens as I descend, as I flex my inner-ear muscles. I love it!

 

[kint]

The French calls it BTV (Beance Tubaire Volontaire) and their Navy tried to teach it in the 1950s. It is hard to learn though, and only 30% of those taught can perform it reliably. I am less ambitious though, and would be happy if only one benefits from the manual. (see attached pdf) Enjoy!

 

[fairybasslet]

I exercise those muscles all the time. I sit at my desk at work and equalize without pinching my nose. It stave's off boredom and I pretend I'm seeing fish.

 

[drbill]

I can't explain why, but I almost never need to pinch my nose to equalize, or do anything else. My ears seem to be self-equalizing, unless I'm doing something subconsciously that I'm not aware of. It is a rare occasion when I'll consciously do something and I can't remember the last time I had to pinch my nose. Hmmm...

 

[bdshort]

This has been an interesting thread for me to look at, so thanks for all the responses. My last dive I was doing fine with just the swallowing method (or whatever it was I was doing) for the first couple 10s of feet but then I had to pinch a couple of times to get my left ear to clear. I do notice that my left ear (or is it my right?) always seems to clear before the other one does...

 

[Soggy_Diver]

Scuba, I can usually equalize all the way to depth by just pushing my jaw forward.

Snorkelling, I have to pinch my nose below about 20 feet.