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I don't have any problems equalizing using the Valsalva manuever, but I'd like to become proficient at equalizing using the hands-free methods (e.g., swallowing, yawning or moving the jaw, etc.), particularly since I'd like to try freediving. I've tried equalizing on SCUBA by swallowing -- like what I do on airplane descents -- but it didn't seem very effective. Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can best learn and practice these techniques, both in and out of the water?
I move my jaw around slightly. It helps to begin while on your way to the dive site. It loosens the muscles in your jaw. Also, begin clearing before you feel pressure. It makes it a lot easier to clear that way.
The Valsalva maneuver is a pressurization technique which becomes necessary when there are significant pressure differentials to equalize.
To use non-pressurization methods effectively you must equallize sooner. After a descent of about 4 or 5 feet from your equalized depth, these techniques no longer work well.
The secret- equalize early and often, make that very early and very often. If you can't equalize fast enough, descend slower so that your ears can keep up.
As said above, start to equalize early and often. With more dives and more practice it will get easier and easier. You will find out pretty soon you don't even have think about it anymore, you'll do it automatically
Was reading another thread about this subject. This website was posted: Doc's Diving Medicine Home Page
It has a video that you can watch that i found helpful.
Greetings dougchartier! A very good question that tells us you are striving to be the best diver you can! As others have mentioned the best practice is diving and as much as you can do.
I have found that a combination of all the techniques work the best for me. I also begin to EQ long before the dive. My ears have gotten used to the exercises and I actually do them everyday. It has helped me to understand that it really takes little to no effort when you EQ early and often.
Practice makes perfect, guess you will just have to dive some more! That is a tough way to go... That is the excuse I used on my wife and hunting buddies!
Hove fun gaining experience and practicing. Safe diving to you!
CamG Keep diving....keep training....keep learning!
that I use the valsalva/pressurization/pinchnblow exclusively... , I can clear my ears on land using those various other methods (jaw thrusts/modified yawn etc.) but those techniques seem to be far more subtle in the water and truthfully I've been too lazy to spend the appropriate amount of time to implement them, the valsalva works now/works everytime and its been easy/(lazy?) for me to rely only on that.
I like the idea of spending an entire dive doing just this very thing ,but I could never subject a buddy to a dive where the only movement is going up/down very slowly.
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