How to Equalize Ear Pressure using the Valsalva Maneuver while SCUBA diving
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2024
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How to Equalize Ear Pressure for SCUBA Diving
Why do my ears hurt underwater?
As we descend into underwater, the pressure surrounding us increases. That rise in pressure causes our ear drums to compress. This happens because the water pressure outside of our ear is greater than the air pressure inside of our ear.
Equalization is the procedure divers use to equalize the air pressure in our inner ear to the pressure outside of our ear. We do this by pushing air from our sinuses to our inner ear through the Eustachian Tube.
When to equalize when SCUBA diving?
Equalization occurs early and often. Before you break the surface and begin your descent, you should begin to equalize. You should equalize every couple of feet as you descend in the water column. If you do not equalize early and often, your eardrum can compress causing pain. The pressure can even close your Eustachian Tube. This is known as the “trapdoor effect” and can be avoided by equalizing early and often as you descend
One good tip to follow is if you feel pain in your ears, you have descended too far without equalizing. In the event that your feel pressure in your ears, stop your descent and ascend a few feet until the pain goes away and then try to equalize.
You should never equalize on ascent. The air in your ear needs to escape as the surrounding pressure decreases. Because of this, there is no need to add more air to your inner ear on ascent.
How to equalize underwater
There are several different ear equalization techniques you can use to relieve ear pressure. Which one you decide to use or works for you depends on your physiology, how your sinuses are functioning on the day you are equalizing and preference.
The most common method of equalization is called the Valsalva maneuver. This is probably the one that you were taught in your dive class.
You perform the Valsalva Maneuver by pinching your nose and gently pushing air to the back of your throat through the Eustachian tubes and into your inner ear. While you do not want to blow too hard, you do need to apply enough force to feel your ears filling with air.
If the Valsalva maneuver does not work, do not worry!
There are several ear equalization techniques you can use.
Turning your head from one side or another while performing the Maneuver help
Swallowing while doing the Valsalva
A combination of the above.
Tilting you head back while attempting the Valsalva
Wiggling your jaw forward while trying the Valsalva
The Toynbee Maneuver and can be used. You perform the Toynbee maneuver by swallowing with your mouth closed and your nose pinched. You do not have to blow out while doing this
The Frenzel Maneuver is another alternative. It is performed by pinching your nose while pressing your tongue against the back of your throat while making a T or D sound.
What if I still Can't Equalize Pressure??
Below are a few tips you can use to assist your equalization.
Descending feet first: If you have trouble equalizing, try descending feet-first rather than doing a head-first descent. This reduces the change in surrounding pressure drastically.
Descending on a line: If you’re still having difficulty equalizing, you can control your descent even further by descending on a line feet-first.
Chewing gum before your dive: This relaxes your soft palate which has been known to assist in equalization. That being said, YOU CANNOT chew gum during your dive. This could cause a dangerous situation, so do not do it!
A few of things to remember:
Equalize right before you begin your descent and continually all the way down to your destination.
Remember that we never equalize while ascending.
If you feel pain in your ears on descent, stop and ascend until the pain goes away before attempting to equalize.
Remember to try descending feet-first if you are having difficulty equalizing
Do not dive when you are congested.
Practice several methods of equalization
Remember that practice makes perfect.
If you want more detailed information, check out our blog post by clicking the link below:
Don’t forget to download our free guide “The Four Keys to mastering your Diving.” In it we go over several little-known tips to make you a better diver. Many of these tips are not reviewed by instructors so you definitely want to check it out.
greatdivers.com/yt/equalize
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• How to Equalize Ear Pr... 
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Bro the air came out of me eye
Salma Gaming its not I have the same . If yo can do this 2 you can get milk out of your eyes
PHT xPlydx YT LMAO my one eye does that too. If I’m underwater and I do it, Little bubbles will stream out
You haft to close
your eyes
@@littlehonu i ascended in a very deep pool once.
Upon breaching the surface,i performed the valsalva and a freaking jet of water shot from my eye!
Uxc-LEB same
Fair warning, when you do this do it very gently. A kid once told me to try this in the pool and I blew into my nose way too hard which caused me to lose my hearing for a few weeks. I was also in extreme pain and developed an ear infection.
sounds like a you problem
@@proforniter how old are you…
@@Jordyyyyyyy probably 9
1:48 here is the beginning of the tips
I think you guys have some of the clearest and most useful scuba advice videos around. All info and no fluff. Thanks!
Bro. The swallowing equalise is 10x more effective for me than the blowing your nose one. Thank you👍👍
I need to learn the technique! I recently had to end a dive because i haven't been able to equalize properly.
Thank you very much! I used it on airplane flights! It changed my life! No more pain! You are my hero
Great video; simple, helpful and well delivered. Thanks
Thank you very much! I will try your techniques.
Wow man thanks, I learned how to equalize now.
great explanation , detailed and concise .
The first time I went scuba diving I had trouble equalizing. Air would not pass through my eustachian tubes no matter how hard I pushed. We started descending and it started to hurt really bad. I ascended a bit and exhaled as hard as I possibly could until my face turned red. It finally equalized and there was a long whistling sound as the middle ear filled up with air. The pain stopped and I had an awesome experience. I think I had trouble since my tubes were closed off for so long. Now it equalizes too easily, even from just blowing my nose.
Great video, very helpful, thank you!
Great video, thank you!
Will try both methods out. Thanks chief
Thank you for the video, when I was snorkeling down in Florida this last summer my ears were really hurting and not able to equalize but with the swallowing method if I ever go back I think I can do a lot better
Thanks for the video it was really helpful.
This helps loads .thanks
I do it whenever I feel like my ears are not responding after a shower.
Great video!
thanks man i really needed this
great info well explained..
very helpful. thanks!
Thank you very helpful
That one where you swallow is really great, It's a more natural action so thank you.
Thanks for posting, please subscribe to the channel for more informative videos!
Ive always had problems with my right ear using the valsalva , that Toynbee method just changed my life lol
That works for me in a plane or high place but not diving
Yeah this works well during gradual pressure changes like in an airplane but I've never been able to do this during rapid changes like you experience while diving or (even worse) skydiving. I have blown out my ears every time I skydive.
@@BUSHCRAPPING you need to blow harder in water especially deeper means harder
Thank you for your information it was helpful
Thank you sir
Dude said not to be afraid of blowing hard enough to get air into ears. Very dangerous comment. I just injured my ear by blowing too hard, so I had to drop my PADI open water cert training after two classes. Blowing should be VERY gentle. And if that doesn't work, you should use the extended jaw technique, which doesn't involve blowing. But I didn't learn these things from PADI or my instructor. I learned while lying in bed, recovering and researching.
I'm going through the same problem, my open water dive didn't go so well because i haven't been able to equalize properly
Had the exact same experience, only learned afterwards. Could’ve done without the excruciating ear pain. Thanks PADI
Excellent! thanks!
Very easy to follow instructions, thanks.
Thank you Masroor, please do not forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos!
very helpful
So I was trying to equalise when start filling pain which wasn't very pleasant, that's why I never went down very deep, so glad I watched this video.
Great video
Very very useful.
I don't Scuba dive but your suggestions seemed to help a good bit. Thank you!
thanks
Great Video from a Pro to a Pro :)
Happy to learn about the modifications, i've actually tried to use the valsalva multiple times before but it never felt really effective so i'll try them for sure and see if it works better.
so so informational very good job dude 🤙
Thank you, do not forget to subscribe!
Bro I’m dead ass scared to do it😭🤣 I feel like imma pop my ear drum😂
Yes and you will eventually. Doing this is very bad for your ears
Just do it gently
@JaAZ NeArY so it isnt harmful right?
@@julianbe5657 No its not
@@logandriggers1709 aight ima do it when swimming then
Thanks
Good video
Thanks I’m trying to learn to free dive
Going for my 1st official open water dive today. I did my 2nd encloded dive in the shallows so it was kind of an open water dive. Felt it was alot better for learning snd really taught me i need to learn hoe to equalize better 😂. Hope its not super clogged sinuses like some people have found out here
I just started learning scuba diving, and I had a lot of trouble equalizing in the 3m deep pool. my first open water dive will be 18m deep and I'm terrified I won't be able to equalize :( These tips helped, I'll try using them in practice before I go!
So did it work?
@@callumchater9750 yea did it? Lol been Two years how deep u Diving rn?
@@quincynkb yeah well i found that my sinuses were full and thats why i was getting the pain, i had some tablets that emptied them, it was super gross, loads of snot lol but now im fine and ive dived as deep as 50 meters and been totally fine
@@callumchater9750 joooooooo that's sick never expected an answer lol keep it up!
@@callumchater9750 what tablets? This might be my problem too
I’m here because I did discover SCUBA while on vacation. It was great until I had to equalize. Rather, my mask basically filled up mucus(which I didn’t know) and I ended up swimming with the instructor on a tow line while my wife went to 30 feet. The only method they covered was the valsalva as you did. It would have been nice to try some other techniques. During the dive, I at least thought I diving shallow, but in fact, I was snorkeling. Had fun with the equipment I guess. Thank you for the tips. Still need to learn how to clear and test my sinuses before trying this again.
The Toynbee helps a lot if you have a lot of stuff in your sinuses
The swallow one really helped me . Thank you
Now I get why it didn’t work xD I try dove this friday to see if scuba diving is something for me and I loved it but had alot of trouble equalizing, I thought I had to equalize when I felt a small pain in my ears but now I get that I have to equalize before. Good to know before I start on my open water course
thanks a lot 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼
One of my ear canals is more narrow than the other. I've always had problems with ear infections, from trapped water in the narrow canal, and these techniques really help me to ensure that their is a certain amount pressure present (which helps relieves the pain/friction/irritation).
Warm water baby syringe irrigation + correcting spinal posture + these techniques = happy ears c:
Thank you for detailing these techniques. You are helping more than just scuba divers, my friend!
My Dad SCUBA Dived in the Army and He taught Me the Swallowing Method.
Couldn’t do the valsalva untill your jaw trick.. thank you
w video thank
Life saver
Never scuba dived but tips are useful when swimming in the pool.
I needed you to train me, the instructors just get mad. They really don't explain clearly or help out. I am going to have someone work with me one on one, I have to completely understand what I am doing. Thanks for the clear ear explanation.
Yes, you can choose your instructor,but what I suggest is before asking any questions to instructor , please read the manual completely,now a days manual (SSI or PADI) has every questioned answered .
So,that you can ask if you still have doubt's for better understanding.
Normally if instructor follow the que cards,your questioned will be answered before you ask.
Thank you,
Happy diving.....
Thanks for sharing, Carlos. I was wondering what should be done in the event of a reverse blockage while ascending? Also, do you find using any type of ear drops before diving useful to help equalize?
will try moving jaw when blowing out; going diving in Miami next week- Neptune Memorial reef
Good vid always have ear problems
I feel like I can't equalize until it hurts a little. Sometimes I feel like I have to "push" harder than I think I should have to, to get that "squeak" to happen. Makes me nervous each time that I'm pushing a little too hard, or too early. My right ear is a little harder to equalize. Still new to diving, so I'm sure I'll get better at it and more comfortable with the amount of force it takes.
i always face problems with my right ear ... it takes time for it to equalize.. thank you ill try your tips...
THeBatLad duuude me too i dont understand why, im glad its not just me
i tried the some of the techniques in the video and believe it or not my last dive was awesome... didn't even feel a thing on the right ear... so happy...
Any idea what technique in particular helped you? Don't know what it is about the right ear, but I have the same problem LOL. Completed my OWD two months ago and had the feeling of having water in my right ear for around two weeks... About to go diving in Belize in February :D
I recently did a discover scuba excursion in costa Maya. I couldn't get my left ear to equalize. I felt like my instructor was getting irritated with me. It was very painful. I went back to the boat and waited. When he returned he told me because he had come back to the surface it took him longer to equalize his ears. I want to try again.
THeBatLad same
I always wonder why I always feel my ears is like being pushed to my head and you explain why. Also can you also explain why I can get a headache after swimming
When Doing The valsava method do you have to make the air pop?
yess when I go diving/swimming
I always had problem with my ears getting hurt that's why I normaly don't go too deep..
i should be studying right now
I vibe with this dude from 2 years ago.
What's the music in the beginning? And will these techniques work if the head is congested? Because my ears have been popped for 3 days now and nothing is working.
Great video! However, it seems that most scuba institutions agree that it is ok to use Psuedoephedrine for most open water dives.
Went diving a year ago while congested and ruptured my ear drums
Thanks for the tutorial, I'm about to start spear fishing again it's been over 20 years. As an example how many times would you equalise to get to 5m?
jonnywaselectric a good rule of thumb is once every meter
my ear on the inside hurts super bad and we already tried a couple of methods. my ear is red, I'm crying, I'm complaining and I need youre help!😭😭😭
I just realised I've been able to do this since childhood from messing around with my body, ended up hurting my ears and never thought about it again
please give me some tips on how to get rid of it
My ear bled after my diving, however, there is no pain or hearing loss. Felt pain when i descend my left ear is easier to equalise then my right therefore even after my left ear has been equalised i have to keep blowing harder to equalise my right and advice?
I have a question are you doing while on water or before
Just a question i diving three days a go after I fine out that blood is coming from my ear and it is painful even right now as I speak what must I do
Hello, i tried the valsava maneuver a few days ago in a pool, but, it hurt a lot, is that a normal thing? Maybe it helps to note that I'm not a very fit person, so. . .
Edit: it might help to mention that i remembered to do this maneuver because my ears started to hurt, just a bit, then when i tried to equalize, it just started to hurt a lot more.
What's an acceptable pressure to feel on your ears?
My first check out dive I burst all the blood vessles in both ear drums. Never made it past 8 ft. I tried to equalize but still felt pressure. Instructor signaled to tilt head and try again. I kept struggling to get rid of the pressure over the next 2 hours. We called it quits. I had muffled hearing in right ear for 4 days. Got checked out by ENT and did a CT. No abnormality. Got the all clear to dive again. Recently went to a springs with a 50 foot cave. Dove down (not on scuba) to entrance of cave about 14 feet. Got rid of the mask squeeze and lightly tried to equalize. I couldn't tell much of a difference in pressure. But had to surface to breath.
ENT said if i have allergies maybe my eustachian tube isnt Working right. I asked if i maybe did the damage myself equalizing so much and maybe to hard.
On the surface I can attempt to equalize and I definitely feel pressure increasing. So both eustachian tubes must be working. I'm at a loss. But determined to go SCUBA.
Did you ever figure out what works for you?
@@austinparker2624 I never did. A couple.more failed attempts. I Havent tried in 2020 due to current global situations
@@respond_code3 dude wtf is your ears ok???????
Don't give up
Thank you, I'm always scared I'll blow too hard and my ear drums will pop
Currently 4:40 in the morning and I got back from the mountains but I can't sleep because the clogged air is giving me head aches
is it dangerous to ascend too fast while ears are equalised? can the air escape fast enough out of sinuses
Hello guys, i am going on my first diving trip in september. I eont be diving to deep but still i dont understand one part. Am i supposed to block my nose completely or should i let some air pass through thanks in advance!
Hey what can i do. Nothing helps. What i should do?
im not a diver but when i go to a swimming pool and try to go down i would hold my breath then try to equalise my vision would go black if i tried to hard get dizzy, then i would have to go back up and my ears would not equalise. i think my ears are blocked with ear wax but is that enough of a factor to not equalise?
I have problems equalizing going down and coming up . My ears hurt for days after went to an ENT and that was no help everting is normal please help I’m desperate
is it normal if i have to do toynbee twice? the first time, my ears get clogged, then theyre free again but they crack everytime
Noob question, but how do you pinch your nose with the scuba mask on?
Where is the ‘i’?
Btw good video make more plz.
BorTazTic you may not see it on mobile platforms
Are there any technics for the ascend, because I can really easily equalize the pressure on the descend, but I can’t go up very fast, because the pressure doesn’t come out of my ears very quickly (I practice apnea)
there is a way you can control the muscles of the canal in your ear by moving your throat you will hear small popping sound while doing that the same as while swallowing
Does it feel as if there is water in your ear
Im 12 and i get problems with that when i dive really deep, is that true that it helps if you close your ears?
sir,
why when my head is facing down it can't equalize???
hi.really great video..is it the same for free diving/spearfishing ?? thanks!
Yes
@@BUSHCRAPPING thanks a lot for your replay friend!
It only dose it to my right ear
Gonna try few methods, i can dive with ni problem but after 2, 3 dives my left ear wont equalize... So i need to wait and somehow it will equalize... I havent try tilting my head and blow, and didnt try swallow... While decending a dont need to have my fingers on my nose to blow it because i can do it in my self haha
When I equalized right below the surface I instantly felt pain when the pressure dissapeared
I can always equalize my ears, but when I get deeper I still feel slight pain. It takes forever to get to 80ft!!! Any tips? Or the reason why this happens.
this comment was 2 years ago...but look at 3:46
hello sir, how If my head is on top when diving I can equalize the water but if my head is on the bottom I can't equalize the water???
I don't even know how to swim so this should be useful
bro only one ear pops what do i do iom 14 and im about to start diving soon
my problem is when the head is facing down can't equalize (freediving)