Ok, now we're getting somewhere. I was thinking it would be very helpful to start a thread that lists all the equalization techniques in one post. But to do this I need your help. Please post any info on the techniques you know/use, how to use them, the depths that these techniques can be used, and the difficulty level of learning/performing these techniques.
More coming later, I need a break!
Please note that I do not take responsibility for the consequences of your actions based on this post. Please be responsible when doing these techniques and always dive with a buddy.
Thanks to the below people for their input and help:
samdive
efattah
I will update this thread as more techniques can be used.
Valsalva Technique
Depth: 0 - ?? m
Difficulty: Easiest
Method:
1) Close mouth and pinch nostrils closed.
2) Blow air into mouth.
Frenzel Technique (non-diaphragmatic)
Depths: 0 - Failure Depth (25m+)
Difficulty: Medium
Method: http://www.liquivision.ca/frenzel.doc
Reader's Digest Method:
1) Close mouth and pinch nostrils closed.
2) Fill mouth with air.
3) Close Epiglotis (aka throat).
4) Move soft palate to neutral position.
5) Perform a tongue block.
6) Push tongue upwards while keeping tongue block. (This should pressurize the ears)
TIP: Steps 4 - 6 can be combined by trying to make the 'k' or 'guh' sound.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachments "frenzel.doc", "frenzel fattah.doc" & "Equalisation Techniques.doc"
Diaphragmatic Frenzel Technique
Depths: 0 - {50 to 90m}
Difficulty: Medium
Method:
1) Close mouth and pinch nostrils closed.
2) Fill mouth with air by pushing stomach in and using diaphragm to fill mouth forcefully with air.
3) Close Epiglotis (aka throat) immediately to prevent air from flowing back into lungs.
4) Move soft palate to neutral position.
5) Perform a tongue block.
6) Push tongue upwards while keeping tongue block. (This should pressurize the ears)
TIP: Steps 4 - 6 can be combined by trying to make the 'k' or 'guh' sound.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachments "frenzel.doc"
Frenzel-Fattah Mouthfill Technique
Depths: 0 - {50 to 90m}
Difficulty: Medium
Method: (Taken paraphrased from "frenzel.doc" since Eric Fattah explains it so well)1) Find the depth at which the diaphragmatic Frenzel technique fails for you. Assume failure depths is X meters.
2) Your mouth-fill depth will usually be between 0-30m depending on your target depth. Set your dive watch depth alarm to this depth. A mouth-fill can be performed at any depth, but the following guidelines may help you learn the optimal:
4) When you hear the depth alarm, bed forward slightly, pull your stomach in and push all possible air into your mouth. Your cheeks should fill up completely. It should be difficult to keep your mouth closed because the air will almost want to escape through your lips.
Demonstration Vid: www.liquivision.ca/frenzelfattah1.mov
Demonstration Vid Close-Up: www.liquivision.ca/frenzelfattah2.mov
5) Immediately close the epiglottis, and keep it closed for the entire remainder of the descent. You may find it useful to 'inhale' against the closed epiglottis. It helps to keep it closed.
6) Keeping the soft palate in the neutral position, you can continue to equalize with the Frenzel technique. Remember to keep your epiglottis closed at all times.
7) You should be able to equalize many times with the air in your mouth and cheeks.
8) You can also equalize your mask with the air in your mouth by doing a Frenzel without plugging your nose.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachments "frenzel.doc".
Toynbee Maneuver
Depths: 0 - ?? m
Difficulty: Easy (However, should not be used during rapid descent)
Method:
1) Close mouth & pinch nose.
2) Swallow
3) The muscles in the back of the throat pull open the Eustachian tube and allow air to equalize if a gradient is present.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachment "Equalisation Techniques.doc"
Beance Tubaire Volontaire (BTV)
Depths: 0 - ?? m
Difficulty: Hard
Method:
Muscles of the soft palate are contracted while upper throat muscles are employed to pull the Eustachian tube open. This technique is similar to the events that happen in the back of your throat at the end of a yawn. It is also similar to wiggling your ears.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachment "Equalisation Techniques.doc"
Saline/Sea Water “Wet” Equalizing (aka Wet Frenzel)
Depths: 80m+
Difficulty: Hard (I stongly advice not to attempt without expert supervision)
Method:
0) Used when goggles, no goggles, or no mask is used when diving.
1) Let sea water flood your sinus' by removing your nose clip.
2) Equalize using Frenzel.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachment "frenzel.doc"
Other Techniques:
Wet methods:
- Watersuck method
- Passive sinus flood
- Angled sinus flood
- Active sinus flood
Dry methods:
- Diaphragmatic frenzel
- Frenzel/BTV hybrid
- Cheek squeeze
- Jalandhara method
References/Attachments:
More coming later, I need a break!
Please note that I do not take responsibility for the consequences of your actions based on this post. Please be responsible when doing these techniques and always dive with a buddy.
Thanks to the below people for their input and help:
samdive
efattah
I will update this thread as more techniques can be used.
Valsalva Technique
Depth: 0 - ?? m
Difficulty: Easiest
Method:
1) Close mouth and pinch nostrils closed.
2) Blow air into mouth.
Frenzel Technique (non-diaphragmatic)
Depths: 0 - Failure Depth (25m+)
Difficulty: Medium
Method: http://www.liquivision.ca/frenzel.doc
Reader's Digest Method:
1) Close mouth and pinch nostrils closed.
2) Fill mouth with air.
3) Close Epiglotis (aka throat).
4) Move soft palate to neutral position.
5) Perform a tongue block.
6) Push tongue upwards while keeping tongue block. (This should pressurize the ears)
TIP: Steps 4 - 6 can be combined by trying to make the 'k' or 'guh' sound.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachments "frenzel.doc", "frenzel fattah.doc" & "Equalisation Techniques.doc"
Diaphragmatic Frenzel Technique
Depths: 0 - {50 to 90m}
Difficulty: Medium
Method:
1) Close mouth and pinch nostrils closed.
2) Fill mouth with air by pushing stomach in and using diaphragm to fill mouth forcefully with air.
3) Close Epiglotis (aka throat) immediately to prevent air from flowing back into lungs.
4) Move soft palate to neutral position.
5) Perform a tongue block.
6) Push tongue upwards while keeping tongue block. (This should pressurize the ears)
TIP: Steps 4 - 6 can be combined by trying to make the 'k' or 'guh' sound.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachments "frenzel.doc"
Frenzel-Fattah Mouthfill Technique
Depths: 0 - {50 to 90m}
Difficulty: Medium
Method: (Taken paraphrased from "frenzel.doc" since Eric Fattah explains it so well)1) Find the depth at which the diaphragmatic Frenzel technique fails for you. Assume failure depths is X meters.
2) Your mouth-fill depth will usually be between 0-30m depending on your target depth. Set your dive watch depth alarm to this depth. A mouth-fill can be performed at any depth, but the following guidelines may help you learn the optimal:
- Inhale Dive: 20-30m for dives up to 100m
- FRV/FRC Dive: 10-15m for dives up to 60m
- Full exhale Dive: 0-5m for dives up to 30m (use extreme caution)
4) When you hear the depth alarm, bed forward slightly, pull your stomach in and push all possible air into your mouth. Your cheeks should fill up completely. It should be difficult to keep your mouth closed because the air will almost want to escape through your lips.
Demonstration Vid: www.liquivision.ca/frenzelfattah1.mov
Demonstration Vid Close-Up: www.liquivision.ca/frenzelfattah2.mov
5) Immediately close the epiglottis, and keep it closed for the entire remainder of the descent. You may find it useful to 'inhale' against the closed epiglottis. It helps to keep it closed.
6) Keeping the soft palate in the neutral position, you can continue to equalize with the Frenzel technique. Remember to keep your epiglottis closed at all times.
7) You should be able to equalize many times with the air in your mouth and cheeks.
8) You can also equalize your mask with the air in your mouth by doing a Frenzel without plugging your nose.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachments "frenzel.doc".
Toynbee Maneuver
Depths: 0 - ?? m
Difficulty: Easy (However, should not be used during rapid descent)
Method:
1) Close mouth & pinch nose.
2) Swallow
3) The muscles in the back of the throat pull open the Eustachian tube and allow air to equalize if a gradient is present.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachment "Equalisation Techniques.doc"
Beance Tubaire Volontaire (BTV)
Depths: 0 - ?? m
Difficulty: Hard
Method:
Muscles of the soft palate are contracted while upper throat muscles are employed to pull the Eustachian tube open. This technique is similar to the events that happen in the back of your throat at the end of a yawn. It is also similar to wiggling your ears.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachment "Equalisation Techniques.doc"
Saline/Sea Water “Wet” Equalizing (aka Wet Frenzel)
Depths: 80m+
Difficulty: Hard (I stongly advice not to attempt without expert supervision)
Method:
0) Used when goggles, no goggles, or no mask is used when diving.
1) Let sea water flood your sinus' by removing your nose clip.
2) Equalize using Frenzel.
Reference/In-depth Material: Please refer to attachment "frenzel.doc"
Other Techniques:
Wet methods:
- Watersuck method
- Passive sinus flood
- Angled sinus flood
- Active sinus flood
Dry methods:
- Diaphragmatic frenzel
- Frenzel/BTV hybrid
- Cheek squeeze
- Jalandhara method
References/Attachments:
Attachments
Last edited: