How do you equalize your ears when scuba diving?

How do you equalize your ears when scuba diving?

The key to safe equalizing is to get air to flow from the throat to the ears through the opening of the normally closed eustachian tubes. Most divers are taught to equalize by pinching their nose and blowing gently. This gentle pressure opens the eustachian tube and flows air gently to the middle ear.

How often should I equalize when diving?

Ears and Sinuses You may have even felt a mild squeezing sensation when duck-diving in a swimming pool before you became a diver. A diver needs to equalize approximately every two to three feet (1 m). Doing so is particularly important in the first 15 to 30 feet (5 to 10 m) of the dive.

Do divers have to equalize?

Why It Happens: Divers need to equalize the “dead air” spaces in their middle ears, which are connected to the outer ears by eustachian tubes that run to the back of the throat.

How do I equalize my ears?

Try forcing a yawn several times until the ears pop open. Swallowing helps to activate the muscles that open the eustachian tube. Sipping water or sucking on hard candy can help to increase the need to swallow. If yawning and swallowing do not work, take a deep breath and pinch the nose shut.

Is equalizing your ears bad?

It works perfectly fine as long as you keep the tubes open ahead of the pressure changes. However, if you do not equalize your ears early or often enough, the pressure differential can force the soft tissues together, closing the ends of the tubes. Forcing air against these soft tissues just locks them shut.

What does equalizing your ears mean?

Equalize Like a Pro In scuba diving the term “equalizing” means to equalize pressure between the inside of your ears and the underwater environment. Human ears have the natural ability to compensate external pressure from the surrounding world and this mostly happens without you even noticing that it happens.

Why can’t I equalize my ears when diving?

Because the middle ear is a dead air space, it is the section most often affected by the pressure changes experienced during scuba diving. As we descend, the surrounding pressure increases, while the pressure in your middle ear remains the same.

Is it OK to pop your ears?

Popping your ears is generally safe. It usually requires little more than moving your mouth muscles. Regardless of the technique you try, be gentle. If your symptoms worsen, stop trying to pop your ears and consult your doctor.

How does equalizing your ears work?

Through equalization we re-balance the pressure in our middle ear by increasing or decreasing the gas pressure in order to match the pressure at depth. We do this though the Eustachian tube which connects the middle ear with our nose.

How do you equalize ear pressure when diving?

Many divers can also equalize by swallowing, wiggling or stretching their jaws (not easy with a regulator though) or a combination of these. You can also swallow while pinching your nose. Whether you need help “clearing” or “popping” your ears, the best ways to equalize ear pressure when diving involves a few simple steps

How do you equalize in scuba diving?

Most divers are taught to equalize by pinching their nose and blowing gently. Called the Valsalva Maneuver, it essentially forces the tubes open with air pressure. Want more of this? Sign up for Scuba Diving’s weekly email and never miss another story.

Can you dive with unequalized ears?

Never continue descending with unequalized ears, and be sure to signal your buddy (or instructor if you’re taking a class). The only way another diver can know you can’t equalize is if you tell them.

How can you prevent ear damage when scuba diving?

You can do this by chewing gum, which prompts you to swallow more often. You can also drink some water or your favorite beverage. Going in head first increases the pressure applied to your ears by at least 50%. This elevates your chances of incurring ear damage while diving.