equalizing techniques

[coactbj]

I have trouble equalizing my ears without pinching my nose.
On scuba I usually just open my jaw and breath in and out and it usually works quite well.
I'm unable to to this when freediving.
Any techniques out there that work best for you?

 

[Angelo Farina]

You are talking about hands free equalization, aka BTV or VTO.
Good free diving instructors teach tricks for learning this method. It all has to do with voluntary control of some small muscles inside your skull.
It takes a lot of practice for getting full control of them.
I got it when I was a child, practising for hours when at elementary school.
Lessons were boring, so I did spend my time exercising on muscular control. I learned to move my ears, to curve my tongue at U, to open my Eustachian tubes, to control eye convergence, and many other similar tricks.
So, you should practice whenever you have spare time.