Hi, would like to solicit ideas to practice equalization for deep diving. Currently I can get to 70m by mouthfill. Last time I still had some air left in my mouth which should add a few meters more, but that should be it. 80-90-100 just sounds out of reach. People say packing is the way to go. I do agree but I think my equalization also needs a lot of work as well.
I have identified my issues:
1. I'm not so good at equalization with little amount of air. I use some sorts of BTV with frenzel all the way, but when there's little air left, it stops working. If I force it I tend to swallow, because I have to move the rest of little air to the middle part of my mouth to pass the soft palate which for some reason creates swallowing sensation. That's being said, I have yet mastered the tongue piston method. I never really use it, I always forget to try it at depth before it's too late.
2. Sometimes I swallow.
3. I'm not quite sure what is better between super big mouthfill that requires fingers to seal the mouth or a comfortable size with many refills along the way. Last time I tried, I had more air with second method at 50m.
4. To add more doubt. There's one dive that didn't do shallow mouthfill but keep pumping air to the mouth to keep it at a good size, using tongue and a couple of reverse packs, I could get close to 70 just fine. So for me, mouthfill can only add a few more meters. I hear some say that mouthfill can take us down at least 90 without packing. So I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
5. I haven't owned a watch. I can imagine it will be very useful to set alarms to remind what to do at each depth.
My practice dives to 40-45 are, exhale dive with mouthfill or reverse pack, forceful exhale underwater at 10m then mouthfill or reverse pack, mouthfill near surface with full lung and closed glottis to practice not swallow. I'm also playing around with forceful exhale at 20m then empty mouth to learn equalizing with little air, hmm.. I should try 30 or deeper next time. I used to do full passive exhale (FRC ?), I can do it to 30m if I fill my mouth at the right time, but I don't do that anymore because I feel it's pretty hard on my body.
What else should I try/work on/know/be aware of ?
I have identified my issues:
1. I'm not so good at equalization with little amount of air. I use some sorts of BTV with frenzel all the way, but when there's little air left, it stops working. If I force it I tend to swallow, because I have to move the rest of little air to the middle part of my mouth to pass the soft palate which for some reason creates swallowing sensation. That's being said, I have yet mastered the tongue piston method. I never really use it, I always forget to try it at depth before it's too late.
2. Sometimes I swallow.
3. I'm not quite sure what is better between super big mouthfill that requires fingers to seal the mouth or a comfortable size with many refills along the way. Last time I tried, I had more air with second method at 50m.
4. To add more doubt. There's one dive that didn't do shallow mouthfill but keep pumping air to the mouth to keep it at a good size, using tongue and a couple of reverse packs, I could get close to 70 just fine. So for me, mouthfill can only add a few more meters. I hear some say that mouthfill can take us down at least 90 without packing. So I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong.
5. I haven't owned a watch. I can imagine it will be very useful to set alarms to remind what to do at each depth.
My practice dives to 40-45 are, exhale dive with mouthfill or reverse pack, forceful exhale underwater at 10m then mouthfill or reverse pack, mouthfill near surface with full lung and closed glottis to practice not swallow. I'm also playing around with forceful exhale at 20m then empty mouth to learn equalizing with little air, hmm.. I should try 30 or deeper next time. I used to do full passive exhale (FRC ?), I can do it to 30m if I fill my mouth at the right time, but I don't do that anymore because I feel it's pretty hard on my body.
What else should I try/work on/know/be aware of ?
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