How to improve maximal equalization depth using frenzel?

[esom]

yes, i understand that you think of forcing up.

And that the frc theory concept seals the feel that than produces proof.

this can discourages people to find out more about "it"... und thus theirselves. i think this is a problem - i explained bits earlier.

 

[MarcinB]

I finally had a chance to dive deeper than 20m. On the first day I could equalize repeatedly down to 26m. Not bad at all considering my limitations and the fact that it was my first deep dive this year. On the second day it was even better. I was able to equalize down to 28m few times in a row. This time sudden lack of air did not occur. Equalization gradually became more and more difficult. I thought to myself "Hey you've finally made some progress!". However, the third day was a complete disaster. During most dives I was able to equalize only down to 16-18m This time equalization became impossible very rapidly. Surprisingly, I was still able to bring air up to my mouth but I couldn't equalize my ears no matter how hard I tried. I think it was a soft palate lock. Once or twice, when I tried to relax my soft palate, equalization became possible again, but it worked only for a very short time. If it really was a soft palate lock what can be done to solve this problem? Keeping my nose pinched all the time does not seem to help much.

I'm really confused, on one day I can equalize down to 28m easily, and on the next one only to 16m. The conditions were the same. I'm currently able to repeatedly dive FRC to 12-13m (lungs about ~50% empty). How is that possible that I was able to get only 3m deeper on full lungs on that day?

 

[PJB]

I finally had a chance to dive deeper than 20m. On the first day I could equalize repeatedly down to 26m. Not bad at all considering my limitations and the fact that it was my first deep dive this year. On the second day it was even better. I was able to equalize down to 28m few times in a row. This time sudden lack of air did not occur. Equalization gradually became more and more difficult. I thought to myself "Hey you've finally made some progress!". However, the third day was a complete disaster. During most dives I was able to equalize only down to 16-18m This time equalization became impossible very rapidly. Surprisingly, I was still able to bring air up to my mouth but I couldn't equalize my ears no matter how hard I tried. I think it was a soft palate lock. Once or twice, when I tried to relax my soft palate, equalization became possible again, but it worked only for a very short time. If it really was a soft palate lock what can be done to solve this problem? Keeping my nose pinched all the time does not seem to help much.

I'm really confused, on one day I can equalize down to 28m easily, and on the next one only to 16m. The conditions were the same. I'm currently able to repeatedly dive FRC to 12-13m (lungs about ~50% empty). How is that possible that I was able to get only 3m deeper on full lungs on that day?

Hi Marcin,

Don't worry too much. It is a process, not a single event. Having got it right a few times, most likely you are now focusing too much on one thing, resulting in other things going wrong along the way. More specifically, its likely that you are either falling behind in your equalisation (mask or general) resulting in negative pressure and forcing your soft palate closed - or after you've brought the air up you are failing to relax your diaphragm once more - again causing negative pressure and possibly a clenched jaw, soft palate lock or air escaping back through the glottis. My advice: 1. experiment more with free immersion until it becomes automatic (it is easier than CWT for this skill) and ii) focus on staying ahead of the equalisation curve with many small equalisations. Most importantly, make sure your jaw stays loose and you diaphragm RELEASES immediately after you've recharged your oral/nasal cavity. Don't push, depth will come naturally if the foundation is in place. Cheers

 

[esom]

the contraction of the diaphragm produces inhalation. it´s the muscles that flatten and push the belly in, which are often used along reverse packs. This "bellypush" is done with the -often unconcious- idea, to facilitate reverse packing.
to my experience, reverse packing works best with a relaxed trunk. This feels "impossible" to some, as they can not deliberatly involve or not involve the muscles that in part also produce a forced exhale - especially at low lungvolumes. forced exale and reverse packing are just as much the same as reverse packing and taking a mouthfill.

 

[MarcinB]

Hi Marcin,
Don't worry too much. It is a process, not a single event.

In my case it seems to be a really long process

I don't think I fall behind in equalization. I never feel any pressure in my ears or mask. I equalize every meter or so. Clenched jaw might be the cause. I recall tension in the neck and jaw when I failed to equalize. Maybe I was focused too much on relaxation of abdominal muscles and forgot about other areas.

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[ShallowGuy]

Hi Marcin,

I dive mostly in the similar range using Frenzel. I dive only in cold lakes if have any opportunity to dive at all.

I've noticed that my equalization fails me soon after my body becomes cold. It's about 1.5h in water for me - then I need to get out of water as my ears are at risk.

Year or two ago I spent time diving in warmer water but without proper wetsuit and without the hood. First day I've spent around 4 hours diving. Next day after about 1h of diving I suffered barotrauma - my eardrum has been perforated. One of the experienced divers told me my ears could be already swollen from the fist day of diving and simply not being ready for more diving. Now I dive only 1 day and give my ears a rest. I had to accept the fact that my ears are somehow fragile and enjoy what I can enjoy.

There is this movie with Tanya Streeter on YouTube about young freediver preparing for competition - he also started to have equalization problems after few days of diving and doctor who examines his ear says something about it being swollen (that is an inside of ear).

So my conclusion is that perhaps it is not the mistake in technique which limited you on 3rd day but simply your ears became tired of diving. This perhaps is a result of rather low frequency of diving.