My understanding:
The problem eqEx is suppose to solve.
* Not enough air available high in the head to equalize the ears.
The theory being if the air is removed from the lung earlier in the processes it will be *not* be absorbed into the blood/tissue or trapped in the lungs. This means more gas is available in the mouth and upper respiratory system later in the dive.
So he goes down to 20-30m. Exhales into the bottle. Goes down to past 70-100m takes a sip of air (air that started out in his lungs) into his mouth and then forces it into his ears (which is easy because all the air is in the mouth).
Some people have calculated that this should not be necessary, but Herbert finds it more comfortable.
Other benefits:
- less likely to suffer from DCS because you have less time with N2 in the body. (also seems marginal, but it should in theory help)
- being low on O2 earlier in the dive kicks the dive reflex in stronger, but having the air later keeps him alive. (no idea how effective this benefit is)
I know some people suggest flooding the sinuses to equalize, but that does run a high-risk of infection. No idea how that compares with this. It seems flooding the sinuses should be more effective at clearing with the Eqex, but more risky.
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