Keep the Tubes Open

[ChillyWaters]

I'm a new diver (20 dives), and I have never had a problem with equalizing. I tend to keep my eustachian tubes open as soon as I hit the water. Anyways, I taught this to my girlfriend (30 dives) and she absolutely loves it!

We hit the water, and the whole dive you don't EVER feel any discomfort, nor do you EVER have to consciously consider equalizing.

My questions are these:
Why don't they teach new divers such a technique? Admittingly it might be tough to teach, but I think it would be a worthwhile effort. One less thing to think about improves your concentration on other aspects of the dive.

And is keeping your tubes open for the whole dive a bad thing? I couldn't see how.

- ChillyWaters

 

[DandyDon]

How do you do that, exactly?

 

[jagfish]

Yeah
I can't find that switch on my head either...

 

[SeaJay]

I do it by jutting my lower jaw down and forward. I just keep it there during the descent part of the dive. Equalization isn't necessary during any other part of the dive for me (it happens automatically for me).

 

[ChillyWaters]

How do you do that, exactly?

I don't really know, I just do it. I can just move the muscles that open up the tubes.

The way I "taught" my girlfriend was...

Try yawning to get them open, then try to hold them open when you stop yawning. Learn how that feels, then try to do it without yawning. I guess she just understands me, because it took a good 45seconds of attempting until she looked at me in amazement.

When you do it on land, everything just sounds "louder" and almost echos, like you're hearing things from the inside.

- ChillyWaters

 

[Dive-aholic]

We're gonna have to try that.

 

[Bubble Blower 479]

Try humming and open to tubes to clear your ears. You will hear the hum from inside your ears. This way you can tell if your tubes are open. Open your tubes while yawning and then try to hum. I've discovered that not everyone can do this.

After a little practise you will be able to hear yourself breathe.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

There was a thread discussing this a few weeks ago, apparently, its not natural for everyone. There also seemed to be a link between those who could wiggle there ears and those who already knew they could control thier 'tubes'.

My friends are always confused how I can descend as fast as I do at times... I'll try your directions in attempting to 'learn em' how to control the muscles. I've never been able to clearly describe how I do it

 

[Turtleguy9]

Aloha Chillywaters.
I think the first thing about the no hands method of clearing is telling people its possible. I just flex my jaw muscles and it holds the tubes open for me. At the surface when I flex the jaw muscles I hear a click, and know I am good to equalize.
Turtleguy

 

[Charlie99]

Like others have mentioned, keeping the tubes open uses the muscles that you use towards the end of a yawn.

I find that yawning, then pressing my tongue strongly against the roof of my mouth helps me to keep the right muscles tensed.

The first step is to learn to recognize the pop of the tubes opening and closing. The next step is to recognize that hollow sound or hearing of breathing sound that tells you your tubes are open. Once you recognize when your tubes are open, then you can try out different techniques during your next boring meeting or conference call at work .