Equalizing Question

[Ronniemu]

When you pinch your nose and gently blow against it with your mouth closed......


If you begin equalizing before the pressure build up, should you feel anything while you are equalizing? How do I know at this time I have equalized correctly?


If you wait to long to equalizing and you begin to equalize after the pressure builds up, do you have any feeling during equalizing such as pop sounds or ears or............?

 

[tobad78]

here are 2 links that will help you out watch the video
http://www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.asp?rid=789

http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/index.html

 

[ScubaFreak]

When you pinch your nose and gently blow against it with your mouth closed......


If you begin equalizing before the pressure build up, should you feel anything while you are equalizing? How do I know at this time I have equalized correctly?

Hi Ronnie,

The best way to tell if you've equalised successfully is try it on land and see how if feels. It shouldn't feel any different underwater. As you equalise (early and often) you should feel a light popping in either ear.

If you wait to long to equalizing and you begin to equalize after the pressure builds up, do you have any feeling during equalizing such as pop sounds or ears or............?

If you wait too long, and start to feel the pressure/pain on your ears you should stop immediatley and ascend a little as equalizing at this stage can be painful and much more difficult. But if you do equalize successfully, you will be aware of a much louder popping sound or feeling from each ear.

So to sum up? Equalise early and often to avoid any complications, and if you feel the pressure and find it a bit tricky, head up a little bit and try again.

Hope this helped a little

Scubafreak

 

[spectrum]

When you pinch your nose and gently blow against it with your mouth closed......


If you begin equalizing before the pressure build up, should you feel anything while you are equalizing? How do I know at this time I have equalized correctly?


If you wait to long to equalizing and you begin to equalize after the pressure builds up, do you have any feeling during equalizing such as pop sounds or ears or............?

When done topside I can feel a slight pressure in my eardrums meaning that my eustacean tube opened and let some extra pressure in. This gives you a pretty good idea that things will work. It dosen't hurt to do so a few times while setting up and almost certainly right before going under.

If you wait till you feel it as discomfort you waited too long and should probably go back up a few feet to relieve the trap door effect that may have jammed your tubes shut. Don't wait, as a novice do it frequently and gently until you get a better feel for that you are experincing.

My limited experince has been a squaking sound with each valsalva as I go down. The pressure will be building, the trick is to equalize before it's of consequence. I get a similar sound on ascent as the excess pressure is expelled from my ears.

You will know you have done it correctly by having comfortable ears.

Pete

PS, consider beefing up your profile, it helps get more relavent responses.

 

[Ronniemu]

When you pinch your nose and gently blow against it with your mouth closed......


If you begin equalizing before the pressure build up, should you feel anything while you are equalizing? How do I know at this time I have equalized correctly?


If you wait to long to equalizing and you begin to equalize after the pressure builds up, do you have any feeling during equalizing such as pop sounds or ears or............?

OW Dives 3 and 4 went well. Cert is on it's way. I have no more problems equalizing. my main problem with it was failing to blow hard enough. Thanks for everyones help and support. Ronnie

 

[spectrum]

OW Dives 3 and 4 went well. Cert is on it's way. I have no more problems equalizing. my main problem with it was failing to blow hard enough. Thanks for everyones help and support. Ronnie

Great news, congratulations! Take it slow the ease may vary with body conditions but at least you now have a baseline of what you want to sense.

Pete

 

[pieohpah]

When you pinch your nose and gently blow against it with your mouth closed......


If you begin equalizing before the pressure build up, should you feel anything while you are equalizing? How do I know at this time I have equalized correctly?


If you wait to long to equalizing and you begin to equalize after the pressure builds up, do you have any feeling during equalizing such as pop sounds or ears or............?

I had some problems when I did my OW course, but the really good trick I learned was to start by equalizing on the surface before your ears has even reached the water. Then equalizing often in the beginning in the shallow water, and less when you're a bit deeper. With just a little more practice you'll know when to do it, and you'll hardly ever think about doing it.