hands free?

[blaiz]

I have never had a problem equalizing but I have to use my hands. I have always wanted to be able to equalize hands free so I started researching the two different techniques.

I started reading about the Frenzel tecnhique and going through all the different excercises. After quite some time I could feel nothing different from what I currently do.

I had always assumed that Frenzel automatically equals hands free... is this true? Or could it be possible that I have always used the frenzel techique (with my hands) but never realized it?

I guess I had always assumed I had used valsalva (sp?) because I do use air from my lungs, but never realized that I only pulled air from my lungs for equalizing my mask. Basically each time I clear I release the air in my mouth to my mask therefore requiring me to pull more air from my lungs.

If I am using frenzel how do I learn to do it hands free?

 

[yunuschiro]

i have never had to equalise by nose pinch. Always hands free but as long as my decent is slow. i try to avoid hyperextending my head. i try to keep it in line with my body. i do swallow and mask equalisation from my nose and somehow my ears equalise. my spearfishing dives are usually at 15-25 meters. Past 20 meters i feel like i can drop down to 30's easy but never really do.

 

[kevtron]

Frenzel isn't a hands free equalization. It can be, but that uses the pressure of the air in the mask, or using a nose plug. Either way though, the idea behind Frenzel is still forcing air into the Eustachian Tubes. Hands free works on the idea of just opening them up voluntarily.

I'd check this post for a lot of interesting information about hands free, from a bunch of people who are able to do it.

Also, look up BTV (discussed in the thread linked above). It's supposed to be very very difficult to master, but if you can, it's a true hands free equalization.

 

[blaiz]

Frenzel isn't a hands free equalization. It can be, but that uses the pressure of the air in the mask, or using a nose plug. Either way though, the idea behind Frenzel is still forcing air into the Eustachian Tubes. Hands free works on the idea of just opening them up voluntarily.

I'd check this post for a lot of interesting information about hands free, from a bunch of people who are able to do it.

Also, look up BTV (discussed in the thread linked above). It's supposed to be very very difficult to master, but if you can, it's a true hands free equalization.

thank you!