My girlfriend and I are taking our basic OW certification, and she seems to be having some trouble equalizing. She doesn't seem to be congested or sick at all, and I was wondering if this was normal for the first few dives, or if there is something that we can do to correct the problem, as it seems to freak her out and then abrubtley end the dive.
Question about equalization
- Thread starter ndilport
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
SteveC
Contributor
Everyone is different when it comes to equalizing. Have her try equalizing more frequently when descending. (every few feet). If the problem persists, have the Doc take a look to make sure all is well.
The masks you have seen probably fall into the last resort class. There's nothing wrong with them but they are seldom needed.
Equalization is frequently a challenge to new divers.
First I suggest you both sit down to watch this. Scroll down to the video.
This should also be a good read.
Practice equalizing a few times a day, do not over do it. Part of the trick is learning to just sneak up on your ears to get the tubes to open up and admit pressure. Blowing too hard is counter productive. Regular practice will also "train" your tube to respond.
Once she gets the hang of it equalize daily
Once on the way to the site
When you arrive
When you gear up,
When you get in the water
Just before going under
With each breath on the way down.
Good luck,
Pete
Equalization is frequently a challenge to new divers.
First I suggest you both sit down to watch this. Scroll down to the video.
This should also be a good read.
Practice equalizing a few times a day, do not over do it. Part of the trick is learning to just sneak up on your ears to get the tubes to open up and admit pressure. Blowing too hard is counter productive. Regular practice will also "train" your tube to respond.
Once she gets the hang of it equalize daily
Once on the way to the site
When you arrive
When you gear up,
When you get in the water
Just before going under
With each breath on the way down.
Good luck,
Pete
ligersandtions
Contributor
When I was doing the pool sessions of my OW course, I figured that we were only 10' below the surface and that I didn't need to equalize. I thought this because I didn't see other people equalizing....but my ears hurt like hell! At some point during the session, my ears naturally cleared themselves....I wondered if this was normal (that my ears would hurt at only 10') or if it was because I've always had ear problems. Turns out that the greatest pressure change is from the surface to the first atmosphere (33 feet in salt water).
What I've found to be significantly more helpful than anything else is to pre-pressurize! Before I even leave my house to go to the dive site, I plug my nose and blow gently (to make sure that I have no congestion and to pre-pressurize my ears). From there, I pre-pressurize on my way to the dive site, while gearing up, and RIGHT before I descent....and then RIGHT after my head breaks the water. At this point, I have a jump-start on any equalization issues, and generally don't have any issues.
Of course, there will be days when things are a little more difficult....and I find that for the life of me, I cannot equalize in a head-down position. So suggest to your gf that she equalizes early (pre-pressurize, before even descending), often (every other breath or so on my descent is what I do), and in a head-up position. Tell her good luck....and she'll find ways to deal with her ears just as many other divers who have had equalization issues in the past!
What I've found to be significantly more helpful than anything else is to pre-pressurize! Before I even leave my house to go to the dive site, I plug my nose and blow gently (to make sure that I have no congestion and to pre-pressurize my ears). From there, I pre-pressurize on my way to the dive site, while gearing up, and RIGHT before I descent....and then RIGHT after my head breaks the water. At this point, I have a jump-start on any equalization issues, and generally don't have any issues.
Of course, there will be days when things are a little more difficult....and I find that for the life of me, I cannot equalize in a head-down position. So suggest to your gf that she equalizes early (pre-pressurize, before even descending), often (every other breath or so on my descent is what I do), and in a head-up position. Tell her good luck....and she'll find ways to deal with her ears just as many other divers who have had equalization issues in the past!
BigBothersom
Guest
Unless there is a medical reason everyone should be able to equalize.
NEVER under any circumstances use a q-tip before diving. In fact, as my buddy the ENT would say, never under any circumstances ever put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow.
Be gentle when equalizing. Always equalize at the surface before descending. Did I say to be gentle?
She might want to try swallowing AND gently blowing while plugging her nose.
Did I say to blow gently?
Remember, the 1st 20 ft are always the hardest.
By the way, when equalizing always be gentle. Did I already say that?
Damaged ears can ruin a lifetime of diving, and you can damage your ears on one dive.
To all new divers...Don't over-blow. In other words, be gentle, even in the pool. Take your time, and if it still hurts, come up a few feet and try again. If it still hurts, your dive is over.
I perforated my eardrum early in my diving career. I don't ever want to do that again. Remember, the best lessons are learned from other people's mistakes.
NEVER under any circumstances use a q-tip before diving. In fact, as my buddy the ENT would say, never under any circumstances ever put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow.
Be gentle when equalizing. Always equalize at the surface before descending. Did I say to be gentle?
She might want to try swallowing AND gently blowing while plugging her nose.
Did I say to blow gently?
Remember, the 1st 20 ft are always the hardest.
By the way, when equalizing always be gentle. Did I already say that?
Damaged ears can ruin a lifetime of diving, and you can damage your ears on one dive.
To all new divers...Don't over-blow. In other words, be gentle, even in the pool. Take your time, and if it still hurts, come up a few feet and try again. If it still hurts, your dive is over.
I perforated my eardrum early in my diving career. I don't ever want to do that again. Remember, the best lessons are learned from other people's mistakes.
Spectrum's advice is spot on. Early and often.
I am teaching my son to free dive and he struggles with it as well, so I am reminded how it can just be a bit counter intuitive for some people starting out.
I am teaching my son to free dive and he struggles with it as well, so I am reminded how it can just be a bit counter intuitive for some people starting out.
scubaaaronh
Contributor
the video is an awesome help, and Spectrum is right on. I had to do this when i started diving. now i can equalize without any problems (even whe allergies bug me a little). It will get easier as she does it more and the muscles learn to get used in the way we as divers make them work.
msg
Contributor
Has she tried to equalize going down foot first? Some people can equalize more easily this way, and then once at depth don't seem to have the same issues. She may want to try that a time or two.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
Similar threads
