Problems equalizing

[heelsfaninpa]

I have about 50 dives under my belt and I am still having problems equalizing on my descent. It usually takes me 2-3 times longer to get to the bottom that others I dive with. Once I am at the bottom and after a couple of minutes, I'm okay.

Does anyone else have a similar problem? Am I doing it wrong?

I've had guys that I dive with suggest using Sudafed, but diving on drugs doesnt sound too smart.

Thanks.

 

[OceanObsessed]

I have known some people that have difficulty equalizing in the head down position. Try equalizing in the head up position and see if that helps. Be sure you are well hyrdated before your dive too. When I have sinus congestion I use Afrin about an hour before the dive. This is what most competitive freedivers use before a competition if they are having sinus issues. This stuff really works well for me.

 

[Doc]

That's a new on on me. Maybe try a ?

 

[dboddy]

What happens when you try to equalize? Is there pain when you apply pressure? I used to make the mistake of waiting too long to try to equalize. I now equalize before I feel external pressure on my ears. It's more of a routine than a response. It's much easier if you are not trying to fight the external pressure as you decend. It takes a little practice though to know when to equalize.

If your problem is more of a sinus blockage issue, be careful what you take to relieve your condition. As you accend, your sinuses need to allow expanding air to escape and if your medication wears off while at depth, you could be in for a painful accent.

 

[TSandM]

THIS video has more information about equalizing than I could possibly put into a post. (Warning - it's long.)

 

[vladimir]

I have known some people that have difficulty equalizing in the head down position. Try equalizing in the head up position and see if that helps. Be sure you are well hyrdated before your dive too. When I have sinus congestion I use Afrin about an hour before the dive. This is what most competitive freedivers use before a competition if they are having sinus issues. This stuff really works well for me.

Me. I often have difficulty clearing when I swim straight down. I usually opt for a horizontal to slightly heads up postion. When I need it, I use Flonase rather than Afrin.

 

[DandyDon]

THIS video has more information about equalizing than I could possibly put into a post. (Warning - it's long.)

I think it's almost an hour, but should be suggested to every new diver.

 

[RJP]

Here's a post I put on another recent thread on the topic...

As a DM working with students I've started telling people that they should "equalize continuously, starting on the surface."

Trouble is no matter how much you say "equalize early and often" people don't equalize early enough or often enough. I've heard well-meaning instructors emphasize "this means every few feet..." but how many feet is "every few"? There's a big difference between 2' and 5' for many people. By the time someone realizes they are having difficulty they may be too deep to overcome the ambient pressure - even at 5-10' - and then it turns into a whole "failure/stress/failure" cycle.

So, equalizing on the surface is "as early" as you can start and equalizing continuously is "as often" as you can do it. This removes any vagaries and will ensure that they will have equalized "early enough and often enough" allowing them to experience the positive reinforcement of successful equalization. As they become comfortable in the water and equalizing in general they will be able to dial back "how early" and "how often" to whatever is most appropriate to them.

 

[heelsfaninpa]

I usually descend in the heads up position. I try to start equalizing before I feel pain. But at about 9-10 ft the pain really starts and and I have to kick up a few feet to make it subside, then I go down a little slower.

I think I will try watching the video. Its early on Super Bowl Sunday so I have plenty of time prior to kick off.

Also, don't you need a prescription for Afrin and Flonase?

Thanks!

 

[heelsfaninpa]

Thanks RJP. That's good info!