Hands free underwater problems...

[MBanks]

I have recently been trying to learn hands free equalisation whilst sitting at the poolside at work. I have managed to gain some kind of equalistation, I'm not sure on the name of it, but when I do it it feels like I am moving some muscles at the back of my throat, which then makes my ears make a crackling type of sound whilst equalising them slightly, instead of the louder/stronger sound that I get when pinching my nose.

The problem is that when I get underwater, only to -3.5m in the pool I can seem to use this type of equalisation I have been practising. Has anyone got any ideas why I can't do it, and any suggestions for me so that it might become possible?

I hope someone can help!
Martin.

[fcallagy]

Hi Martin,
Have a similar problem i can hands free in the pool and in dynamic as the pool gets deeper but when i am diving i cant seem to and have to revert to holding my nose. i think its related to head position and the speed of descent and is something i have to practice but getting that practice is difficult. I got the hands free equalisation eventuallly by half yawning with mouth closed is the best way i can describe it. Not sure on why not but some people talk about tubular exercises and even thogh it may not seem like it there may be some small bloackage that needs a harder equalisation than hands free allows until the tubes get stronger but martin these are just ideas that i have seen and heard someone else may be a lot better qualified to speak about the technique.

[RJW]

Did you guys get any further with this? I'm also new to hands free; works great on dry land, not a thing once I get wet! Just practice I guess?

[sanso]

I can get to the crackling noise well on dry land, but won't hear it when under water. Although I do think I am equalizing since I reach about -3m without feeling any pressure in my ears, which I used to feel well before I did the 'crackling' thing.
I am - though - actually clueless as to if/why/how I am actually equalizing or just got used to higher pressure at -3m ...

[keyone]

If you are having problems equalizing try ascending a couple of feet and try equalizing. If you smoke don't smoke before you dive, if you have had a cold or have a cold that also makes it much harder to equalize. You can swallow,pinch your nose,yawn. If the pressure will not go away don't disreguard and keep descending you will blow your ear drums. Sometimes it's the way you descend some people can clear there ears better if they go head first some people feet first.
I hope this will help.

[Matte]

Hallo Martin,

try reading efattah tutorial (the bible) downloadable from: Liquivision F1 and Fluid Goggles Home where you'll find:

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Hands-Free (Voluntary Opening of Eustachian Tubes)

Description: During the descent, “open” your Eustachian tubes by flexing the muscles surrounding them. The Eustachian tubes don’t actually open, but rather muscles prevent them from contracting with the increasing water pressure. This encourages the movement of air from the lungs to the Eustachian tubes, thus maintain equal air pressure.

Advantages: Ideal for streamlining and energy conservation. Safer than other techniques when performed correctly.

Disadvantages: Requires training of muscles around Eustachian tubes. This technique is difficult or impossible for some divers to master due to the small size of their Eustachian tubes. Slower descent speed may be necessary for effective equalization. Not usually effective at depths that are well below a diver’s residual lung volume.
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Or amazingly even better go to:
The Frenzel Technique :: FDTF :: Freediving Team of Finland
where included in the frenzel technique, they spend the whole section 7 in describing how to train the eustachian tube.. I had actually no time to test the method, but I probably will in few days. Hope it helps.

[sanso]

Cheers, keyone,

when hands-free doesn't work, I just revert to good old Frenzel, it's just when I deliberately practise hands-free that I run into this problem.
Otherwise I never dive without proper equalisation - I have a beeper (located in my left ear) to remind me of that