Extended Equalization

[aprivetera]

Random question: After learning to dive I am definitely more aware of my ears and equalization when I am out of the water. After finishing today's dive around six hours ago, I can still feel myself equalizing a little bit. What do you think might cause this? No pain or anything. Just wondering.

A

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[j2s]

It's normal.......

 

[TSandM]

If equalization in the water were something we could do continuously, as the pressure increases, we would never do any harm to our ears at all. But, in fact, equalization is a discontinuous function -- we go down a few feet until the pressure increases and then we do it. As a result, even if you are careful, you do a little bit of barotrauma to your ears each time you dive. You end up with a little swelling of the tissues of the middle ear and Eustachian tube, and you can recognize the divers in the resort restaurant by the fact that all of them are periodically swallowing with their mouths open . . .