Equalization Question

[zwang]

Hello!
So I have only gone freediving once, and it was with a few buddies who have done it a couple times before. They were obviously more experienced than I, but answered all my questions. They taught me how to equalize me ears going down by blowing out a pinched nose. However, I had a few questions they could not answer, and came here!

First off, only one of my ears (left) equalized. My right ear didn't make any noises during descent even when I did the blow-nose thing. They told me to just blow harder, but that didn't seem to work, so I just sucked it up. I wasn't going that far, and it didn't seem like a problem. So my question is, how come only one ear equalized, and is it a serious problem?

Second, upon ascent, the ear that never equalized hurt a whole lot about the last foot or two near the surface. I don't know how or why since it never equalized going down. Would anybody know why this happens?

Also, as a first time freediver, and not going very far, this new-found sport is incredible, and I am extremely interested in it!

Thank you all in advance.

 

[Simos]

It's very common for one ear to equalise harder - not a serious problem but it might take you a bit of time to sort it out. Better relaxation, equalisation technique and body posture help, as well as training the right muscles that open the e-tubes.

You should NOT blow harder - you'll only end up doing damage to your ear that could even be irreparable. Improve your technique and take it easy, never force depth when you fail to equalise, just ascent.

What happened to you when ascending sounds like a reverse block - maybe you forced some air in that then got trapped while ascending.

There is plenty of great info on equalising here - if you can take a freediving course it would be even better.

 

[Scoobaru]

Totally agree with simos. I had exactly the same problem on a recent spearfishing trip. When I got home, washed all my gear and showered I felt really dizzy and nauseous plus my right ear (the one that didn't equalise) was throbbing badly. I had the same symptoms but worse the following day so went to see a doctor. I had blown mucus and blood up against the inside of my eardrum. Apparently my ear was very likely to rupture and I wasn't allowed to dive for two weeks and had to dose up on antibiotics and painkillers. Like simos said if you experience any problems, no matter how big/small, or anything feels different surface immediately.

Hope you continue to enjoy your diving. If you have any more questions try the search option at the top of the page

 

[ImmersionFD]

I'm going to oversimplfy some things but this should help.

As a freediver you need to be using the Frenzel method of equalization as opposed to the Valsavla method of equalization. Its very easy to tell which one you are doing.

Place one hand on you stomach and the other hand pinch your nose. Equazlie 5 times, if you feel your stomach tensing AT ALL every time you equalize you are most likely doing Valsalva. This method works fine for scuba but as a freediver using this method limits you typcially to around 30 feet, especially if you are diving down perfectly straight and not at an angle. You really need to learn to do frenzel.

Valsalva works by using the muscles in stomach and chest to push the air up into your Eustachian tubes. In order for this to work your throat has to stay open. Frenzel works by locking the throat and using the tongue and throat to push the air into the Eustacia tubes but the throat is shut as opposed to open.



If you can equalize with out feeling your stomach move at all your most likely doing Frenzel. Once people learn how to frenzel properly I rarely see people that can't get both ears to clear. I've seen many people that say they have one ear that is sticky or has problems equalizing but once they learn either how to do frenzel, or do it properly it works most of the time. Of course sometime if you congested one ear will just be problematic.

Learning how to switch from Valsalva to frenzel can be quite tricky. I teach all my freediving studnets how to do frenzel before the class starts over skype. You can find out more info about it here.
Skype equalizing session | Immersion Freediving

The main thing is most people need to be equalizing way more frequently than they do. If after a day of diving you feel like there is water in your ear and your hearing is muffled, that is most likely not water in your ear but blood in your tympanic membrane due to Barotitus Media. This mainly caused by not equalizing frequently enough. You shouldn't feel any pain at all when diving down to the bottom, equalize more than you think you should and you should be good!

Hope this helps and good luck!

 

[Scoobaru]

I'm going to oversimplfy some things but this should help.

As a freediver you need to be using the Frenzel method of equalization as opposed to the Valsavla method of equalization. Its very easy to tell which one you are doing.

Place one hand on you stomach and the other hand pinch your nose. Equazlie 5 times, if you feel your stomach tensing AT ALL every time you equalize you are most likely doing Valsalva. This method works fine for scuba but as a freediver using this method limits you typcially to around 30 feet, epically if you are diving down perfectly straight and not at an angle. You really need to learn to do frenzel.

Valsalva works by using the muscles in stomach and chest to push the air up into your Eustachian tubes. In order for this to work your throat has to stay open. Frenzel works by locking the throat and using the tongue and throat to push the air into the Eustacia tubes but the throat is shut as opposed to open.



If you can equalize with out feeling your stomach move at all your most likely doing Frenzel. Once people learn how to frenzel properly I rarely see people that can't get both ears to clear. I've seen many people that say they have one ear that is sticky or has problems equalizing but once they learn either how to do frenzel, or do it properly it works most of the time. Of course sometime if you congested one ear will just be problematic.

Learning how to switch from Valsalva to frenzel can be quite tricky. I teach all my freediving studnets how to do frenzel before the class starts over skype. You can find out more info about it here.
Skype equalizing session | Immersion Freediving

The main thing is most people need to be equalizing way more frequently than they do. If after a day of diving you feel like there is water in your ear and your hearing is muffled, that is most likely not water in your ear but blood in your tympanic membrane due to Barotitus Media. This mainly caused by not equalizing frequently enough. You shouldn't feel any pain at all when diving down to the bottom, equalize more than you think you should and you should be good!

Hope this helps and good luck!

What a great response, I've certainly learnt a bit more from this. So thanks for sharing your knowledge. I think on that day I was congested and that's why I couldn't equalise, as normally I can go down to 50ft without any problems or post dive effects.

Thanks again for sharing, I will try to check out your video

 

[Simos]

What a great response, I've certainly learnt a bit more from this. So thanks for sharing your knowledge. I think on that day I was congested and that's why I couldn't equalise, as normally I can go down to 50ft without any problems or post dive effects.

Thanks again for sharing, I will try to check out your video

You might be using Valsava - if yes definitely never blow hard but ideally as Ted pointed out, switch to Frenzel. Valsava is simply a bad equalisation technique for freediving.

One tip: try pre-equalising lightly while one surface before the duck dive. Not only it helps equalisation but also I've found that it's often an indication of whether you'll be successful equalising during your dive.

If my surface equalisation does not work with ease for any reason I just abort the dive, relax, regroup and try again. If I get to the point after a lot of diving that I keep failing, I just call it a day.

 

[Scoobaru]

Ah I see. Thanks for your advice. I will give that a go when my ear is healed and I dive again