Equalising is Important for Divers
by Alfari, AMD-B’s 2025 Divemaster Intern
When you’re exploring the underwater world, one of the most essential skills to master is equalising. As you descend or ascend in water, the pressure on your body increases or decreases, affecting air spaces such as your ears, sinuses, and mask. To ensure comfort and safety, divers need to equalise these air spaces to prevent discomfort, injury, or barotrauma (damage caused by changes in pressure). Here are different methods of equalising that you can use to make your diving experience more enjoyable and safe.
Equalisation Techniques in Diving
The Valsalva Maneuver
The Valsalva maneuver is the most commonly used technique to equalise during a dive. It involves pinching your nose shut and gently blowing air through your nose, which increases the pressure inside the Eustachian tubes, allowing air to enter the middle ear.
How to Perform:
– Pinch your nostrils closed;
– close your mouth;
– gently exhale through your nose (not forcefully) until you feel a slight pop or pressure equalisation in your ears.
When to Use: The Valsalva maneuver is typically used during the descent and ascent, especially if you feel any discomfort or fullness in your ears.
The Frenzel Maneuver
The Frenzel maneuver is a more advanced equalisation technique that can be effective for those who find the Valsalva maneuver difficult or ineffective, particularly at deeper depths. It involves using the muscles at the back of the throat to push air into the middle ear.
How to Perform:
– Pinch your nostrils closed;
– close your mouth;
– contract the muscles at the back of your throat (as if you are trying to make a “k” sound) to push air into the Eustachian tubes.
When to Use: The Frenzel maneuver is especially useful for deep diving, as it can be more effective at higher pressures where the Valsalva may not work as well.
Jaw Wiggling and Yawning
For some divers, especially at shallow depths or when equalising isn’t working with traditional methods, jaw wiggling or yawning can help to equalise the ears naturally.
How to Perform:
– Move your jaw up and down or side to side as if you’re chewing;
– you can also try yawning, which helps open the Eustachian tubes.
When to Use: This method can be particularly useful for those who are in shallow waters or when you feel slight pressure changes but don’t want to force any of the other techniques.
Best Practices for Equalising
1. Equalise Early and Often: Start equalising before you feel any discomfort and continue to do so regularly throughout your descent and ascent.
2. Descend Slowly: Descending too fast can make it harder to equalise in time. Always control your decent rate.
3. Do Not Force It: Never force air into your ears if you’re not able to equalise. Forceful attempts can cause injury. If you can’t equalise, ascend a few feet and try again.
In conclusion, equalising is a vital skill for all divers to ensure safe and enjoyable underwater experiences. Different equalisation techniques work better for different people, so experiment with each method and find what works best for you. Always remember to equalise early and often to prevent discomfort, and if you feel any pain or difficulty, it’s important to stop and seek guidance from your dive instructor. Happy diving!