Wow thanks for the quick response!
I'm pretty much at a lost trying to get my equalizing down. The last two big trips to Turks and Caicos have been a bust for me due to middle ear barotrauma. I am on my way home from Turks this week after only a couple of dives.
I was going to go to one of the LDSs in my area and take the FFM class to try it out. Hopefully this will be the answer.
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Sorry to hear your last two trips were a bust. Especially at such fun locations as Turks and Caicos!
A couple things about equalizing to consider (excuse me if you know this already, but since we are just getting to know each other I'd rather put it out there) :
- Try looking up while you equalize. This helps stretch your neck and eustachian tubes which makes equalizing much easier. Some divers I've ran in to attempt to equalize while looking down (at all the pretty fish) and tuck their neck towards their chest which increases the difficulty.
- Equalize early and often. The earlier you do it with less pressure built up, the easier it tends to be. I sometimes don't feel any pressure and equalize just to be safe. It can surprise you how little of a depth change can trigger a need for equalizing...take it slow descending, ascend a few feet if you need to, equalize, and then descend further.
- If you do try the Guardian FFM, be sure to take the time to fit the equalizing block to your face. As I said earlier, some people leave it in as a backup, which is never a bad thing. Everyone's face is a little different, so your block set-up may not work for myself. The V-block should be low enough, to where you can still breathe through your nose, but not too high to the point of blocking off your nostrils completely. You should be able to equalize with a moderate push "up and in" of the regulator to get the V-block to block off your nose, enabling the equalization.
- The mask and v-block should be comfortable on your face. Take the time to adjust the straps and block so that everything feels right. It may take a dive or two to find your perfect fit.
Please let me know if I may be of any further help! Let me know how your demo goes with the FFM! Cheers.