Equalizing my ears head-down

[jakobus]

I just finished doing my OW certification dives at two springs in Florida. Really, really, really cool to be in the water, and not in a pool. But while I was swimming into the mouth of the spring, I couldn't equalize my ears while I was head-down. I had to stop every few feet, hang on to the wall, turn upright, equalize, and then I could keep going. Is that something I will be able to get with practice, or is it just the shape of my ears inside?

Jim

 

[Stirling]

I just finished doing my OW certification dives at two springs in Florida. Really, really, really cool to be in the water, and not in a pool. But while I was swimming into the mouth of the spring, I couldn't equalize my ears while I was head-down. I had to stop every few feet, hang on to the wall, turn upright, equalize, and then I could keep going. Is that something I will be able to get with practice, or is it just the shape of my ears inside?

Jim

Try getting ahead of the curve and equalize sooner and more frequently. A lot of people find it easier to equalize descending feet first, but you should be able to do it just as easily in a horizontal or head-down position if you start equalizing early and often. If you wait until the pressure is starting to bother you, it will be more difficult to equalize, and you may have to ascend or get your head up to do it. If you equalize before you feel the need to, you may be able to avoid that.

 

[jbd]

Try getting ahead of the curve and equalize sooner and more frequently. A lot of people find it easier to equalize descending feet first, but you should be able to do it just as easily in a horizontal or head-down position if you start equalizing early and often. If you wait until the pressure is starting to bother you, it will be more difficult to equalize, and you may have to ascend or get your head up to do it. If you equalize before you feel the need to, you may be able to avoid that.

Excellent response IMO.

 

[MoonWrasse]

I just finished doing my OW certification dives at two springs in Florida. Really, really, really cool to be in the water, and not in a pool. But while I was swimming into the mouth of the spring, I couldn't equalize my ears while I was head-down. I had to stop every few feet, hang on to the wall, turn upright, equalize, and then I could keep going. Is that something I will be able to get with practice, or is it just the shape of my ears inside?

Jim

Some people are able to equalize easily with little or no effort. Others, like me, have difficulty. Different people, different bodies.

When you dove head first, was your head tucked in or stretched out? That might also make a big difference for you.

 

[Rondo]

I still have that problem with my left eustacian tube.

On my first day of diving I always equalize first AT THE SURFACE then on the way down,feet first with head tilted back(neck stretched).

After the first day it's less critical but I still like to get started equalizing at the surface,horizontal equalization becomes easier.

Towards the end of a trip after my tubes are sufficiently stertched out I hardly think about it.

We're all built a little different.

 

[MoonWrasse]

I still have that problem with my left eustacian tube.

On my first day of diving I always equalize first AT THE SURFACE then on the way down,feet first with head tilted back(neck stretched).

After the first day it's less critical but I still like to get started equalizing at the surface,horizontal equalization becomes easier.

Towards the end of a trip after my tubes are sufficiently stertched out I hardly think about it.

We're all built a little different.

LOL, we must be lost siamese twins! For me it's my right ear, and what you said is almost exactly the same for me!

 

[jakobus]

Thanks, everyone. Can't wait to try again!

 

[Mako Mark]

diving head down increases blood pressure to the head, which consequently makes equalising far more difficult as the eustascean tubes are squeesed shut more.

far easier to do a feet first or horizontal descent.

 

[RICHinNC]

Most people I see diving do not eq until they are in the water and on the way down and feel the pressure. To me, they are way late.

Moons ago I started eq just as the boat arrives at the dive site...a couple of times gearing up.....and then again once I have strided in and waiting for buddy. Then I eq all the way down until dive depth and have no problems....when first diving...had quite a bit of problem.

Dont wait....start early.

 

[jakobus]

This is the 7th day since that dive, and all the water still isn't out of my left ear. How often should I expect to be swimming head down? Is it common outside a spring to have to kick to get down? And can I dive again with water still in my ears?