Does water temprature effect equalisation?

[Tong]

Hi all,

The last 2 times i have been out the water has been 7c and 8c. Both times i have had issues equalising.
The dives were almost 4 weeks apart and the only constant factor at both dives is water temp.

i havent had any problems previosly apart from when i have had a cold and its starting to get annoying!

Any ideas on solving this issue would be appreciated

 

[Aber]

Tong,

Do you have some experience with diving in cold water?

The key to freediving in general and equalization in particular is relaxation. It's much more difficult to relax and equalize in cold water. And cold weather (and water) tend to make you produce more mucus that will make your eq. harder. But as you get more used to the cold water it will probably be easier for you to relax properly. Make sure you spend as little time in the cold water as possible. As soon as you cannot stop shivering in preparing for a dive, you are almost certainly done with the session. Make sure you don't force the eq. It will only make it worse. Take it very easy and maybe pull yourself down (if you are line diving) instead of swimming, until you get the hang of it.

Good luck!

 

[Tong]

I dive in the UK all year around, free and scuba. I have never had any problems before but i hadnt dived for a few months so it could be a relaxation thing.

I will keep plugging away and hope for the best

 

[Amphibious]

I find the colder the water, the harder it is for me to equalize.

 

[DivingDane]

YUP1 cold water will tend to make EQ more difficult until your eardrums and Utubes become used to it, the cold i believe makes these muscles etc less flexible and much more difficult to control.

bit like standing out in the snow for a while and finding that you cant move your chin or if you do it stays in its position for a while before realxing.

DD

DD

 

[rxcnc2]

I know that some benefit from using "doc proplugs"... keep the water close to your eardrums stagnant, so that it can warm up a little with your body heat.

 

[silkyshark]

I know that some benefit from using "doc proplugs"... keep the water close to your eardrums stagnant, so that it can warm up a little with your body heat.

Indeed, I agree Docs Pro Plugs do the trick. I did all my freedive training in the UK and found these little gems made the world of difference. Make sure you get properly measured and you will find these really useful.

 

[Amphibious]

+1 for the Proplugs, they keep me diving in cold water much longer. usually I'm getting out because I can no longer equalize, with them it's when i can't feel my feet anymore