Pressure Gradiants?

[Quarrior]

I'm curious about something. When I descend slowly I have to clear my ears about every 7 to 10ft for the first 60 or so ft. However, when I descend fast I only have to clear my ears 2 or 3 times on a 100ft drop.

My theory on this is that when I descend fast I am blasting through the pressure gradients to faster than they can build up on my ears.

Does this make sense?

My personal preference is to descend fast mainly so I can have more bottom time at my chosen/planned depth, not to mention clearing my ears on slow descents is a hassle I don't need.

Brian

 

[TheAvatar]

The pressure increases constantly not at intervals.

When you descend fast your ears may be clearing automatically... you may open your eustachean tubes but continue diving at a rate where the changing pressure and moving air simply keeps them open. That's my theory.

 

[Otter]

I'm curious about something. When I descend slowly I have to clear my ears about every 7 to 10ft for the first 60 or so ft. However, when I descend fast I only have to clear my ears 2 or 3 times on a 100ft drop.

My theory on this is that when I descend fast I am blasting through the pressure gradients to faster than they can build up on my ears.

Does this make sense?

My personal preference is to descend fast mainly so I can have more bottom time at my chosen/planned depth, not to mention clearing my ears on slow descents is a hassle I don't need.

Brian

I think you are putting your ears/hearing at risk. Results of barotrauma can be upto and including permanent hearing loss...