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5 Safe & Effective Ways to Equalize Your Ears When Diving

Diving Without Ear Pain: A Guide to 5 Effective Equalization Methods

That feeling of pressure or fullness in your ears during an airplane’s descent or when you dive to the bottom of a pool is a familiar sensation. It’s caused by pressure change, and in scuba diving, it’s one of the primary concerns for beginners. But the good news is this: with the right technique, you can dive in complete comfort and safety without any ear pain.

That technique is called “ear equalization.” Let’s explore with Amadive why it’s so important and 5 effective methods to help you master this skill.

 

Why Do We Have to Equalize?

Imagine your middle ear (the space behind your eardrum) is a small, capped, empty plastic bottle. If you take that bottle deep underwater, the surrounding water pressure will squeeze it. Similarly, as you descend while diving, the water pressure pushes your eardrum inward.

Equalization is simply the act of adding air from your throat, via a tiny channel called the Eustachian tube, back into your middle ear space. This balances the pressure on the inside of your eardrum to match the pressure on the outside.

 

The 3 Golden Rules of Equalization

Before learning the methods, always remember these three unbreakable rules:

  1. Equalize Early and Often: Start equalizing the moment your head goes underwater and continue every couple of feet (half-meter) as you descend. Don’t wait to feel pressure or pain!
  2. Never Force It: If you can’t equalize, ascend a foot or two and try again. Pain is your body’s stop signal. Forcing it can cause injury.
  3. Descend Feet-First: This posture makes it easier for air to travel up the Eustachian tubes.

 

5 Common Equalization Methods

Different methods work for different people. Experiment to find what’s most effective for you!

 

1. The Valsalva Maneuver

This is the first method taught to most divers.

  • How to do it: Pinch your nostrils closed and gently blow through your nose (as if trying to clear it). You should hear or feel a “pop” or “click” in your ears when successful.
  • Note: Be gentle. Blowing too hard can cause damage.

 

2. The Toynbee Maneuver

This technique is very effective during ascent or if you feel discomfort after a dive.

  • How to do it: Pinch your nostrils closed and swallow. The swallowing action pulls your Eustachian tubes open.

 

3. The Frenzel Maneuver

This is a favorite of freedivers and experienced divers as it’s more gentle and effective.

  • How to do it: Pinch your nostrils. Close the back of your throat (as if you’re about to lift something heavy). Then, make a “K” or “guh” sound by raising the back of your tongue to the soft palate. This pushes air up into your nasal cavity and ears.

 

4. The Lowry Technique

This is a combination of the Valsalva and Toynbee techniques.

  • How to do it: While pinching your nose and blowing gently, swallow at the same time.

 

5. The Jaw Wiggle

The most natural and gentle method.

  • How to do it: While keeping your regulator loose in your mouth, try wiggling your jaw from side to side or performing a yawning motion. This can often be enough to open the Eustachian tubes.

 

Having Trouble Equalizing?

  • Never dive with a cold or congestion. Mucus can block the Eustachian tubes, making equalization nearly impossible.
  • Try different techniques. Sometimes one method won’t work, but another will.
  • Talk to your instructor. Amadive’s PADI Instructors are experienced in patiently helping students find the method that works best for them.

Ear discomfort is entirely preventable. With patience and practice, this essential skill will soon become as natural as breathing.

Let our experts guide you safely through every step in our PADI Open Water course in Con Dao!

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