Equalise Ears While Diving Safely

Peter Letts   Jun 13, 2025

Top Techniques to Safely Equalise Ears While Scuba Diving

Wondering how to equalise ears while diving to avoid pain and injuries? This guide covers essential techniques to help you stay safe underwater.

Key Takeaways

• Ear equalisation is essential for divers to prevent pain and ear injuries caused by pressure changes while diving.

• Mastering techniques like the Valsalva, Frenzel, and Toynbee maneuvers helps ensure your ears stay comfortable and healthy underwater.

• Frequent equalisation during descent and proper ear care post-dive, including cleaning and managing swimmers’ ear, are crucial for ear health.

Why Your Ears Hurt While Diving — And How to Fix It Fast

Ever wondered why your ears hurt during a dive? This discomfort, often referred to as ear squeeze, is caused by pressure differences between your middle ear and the external environment while diving. As you descend, water pressure increases, and if your ear pressure doesn’t equalise, it leads to painful sensations.

To equalise the pressure, divers commonly use methods like the Valsalva maneuver, where you hold your nose and gently blow to push air through the Eustachian tubes. Proper equalisation techniques are crucial to prevent barotrauma, an injury caused by pressure changes that can damage the eardrum.

If you experience ear pain during a dive, the best immediate action is to ascend to a shallower depth. This helps relieve the pressure difference and can alleviate the pain. Remember, mastering ear equalisation techniques is not just about comfort but also about protecting your ears from potential injuries.

Understanding and practising these methods helps prevent ear pain, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable diving experience. The importance of ear equalisation for scuba divers cannot be overstated.

Importance of Ear Equalisation for Scuba Divers

Scuba divers must master ear equalisation to avoid discomfort and serious ear injuries caused by underwater pressure changes. Proper equalisation techniques keep your ears healthy and pain-free.

Although divers often encounter equalisation problems, learning various techniques and practising good ear care can prevent these issues. Understanding the science behind ear pressure and the role of Eustachian tubes is essential.

Understanding Middle Ear Pressure

As you dive deeper, the water pressure increases, which affects your middle ear and inner ear. This outside pressure needs to be equalised to prevent discomfort and potential injuries. The middle ear is separated from the outer ear by the eardrum, and if the pressure on both sides isn’t balanced, it can cause pain and hearing issues.

The Eustachian tubes, normally closed eustachian tubes, may become blocked during descent due to pressure build-up, complicating equalization. Yawning, swallowing, or chewing gum can help eustachian tubes open and balance the pressure. Oral decongestants can also assist in alleviating this blockage.

Barotrauma, a common diving injury, occurs when divers fail to equalise their ear pressure properly, resulting in overpressure. This highlights the importance of mastering equalisation techniques to keep your ears healthy and prevent discomfort during dives.

The Role of Eustachian Tubes

Eustachian tubes play a crucial role in ear equalisation. These tubes connect the middle ear to the throat and help balance ear pressure during diving. Under normal conditions, the eustachian tube is usually closed but opens to allow pressure adjustment when needed.

Understanding how Eustachian tubes function and knowing how to keep them open during a dive is essential. Techniques such as swallowing or yawning can help in this process, ensuring that your ears stay healthy and you avoid the discomfort of pressure changes.

Key Techniques to Equalise Ears

Equalising your ears while diving is a skill that involves several techniques. The most common methods include:

• The Valsalva maneuver

• The Frenzel maneuver

• The Toynbee maneuver. Each technique has its own approach to managing ear pressure, and divers may find it beneficial to master multiple methods to avoid difficulties during their descent.

Let’s explore these techniques in detail.

Valsalva Maneuver

The Valsalva maneuver is one of the simplest and most widely used techniques for ear equalisation. To perform this maneuver, gently pinch your nose and blow gently through your nose. This action creates a gentle pressure that pushes air through the Eustachian tubes, helping to equalise the pressure in the middle ear.

However, it’s essential to blow gently. Applying too much force can cause barotrauma, leading to potential damage to the eardrum. Practice this maneuver regularly to ensure you can perform it smoothly and effectively during your dives.

Frenzel Maneuver

The Frenzel maneuver is another effective technique for ear equalization. This method involves pinching the nose and making a ‘K’ sound to force air into the Eustachian tubes. Unlike the Valsalva maneuver, the Frenzel technique uses the tongue and throat muscles to pressurise air from the oral cavity into the middle ear.

Practising the Frenzel maneuver allows divers to achieve equalisation without using the diaphragm, making it effective for rapid descents as the diver descends. Mastery requires control over tongue upward and throat movements, developed through practice.

Toynbee Maneuver

The Toynbee maneuver is performed by swallowing while pinching the nostrils. This action helps to open the Eustachian tubes and equalize ear pressure. This technique can be particularly useful for divers who need to equalize while descending, as a swallow is a natural action that can be easily performed underwater.

Advanced Equalisation Techniques

Advanced techniques like the Lowry and Edmonds techniques can provide additional help for divers who face difficulties with basic equalisation methods. These methods combine principles from other maneuvers to enhance equalisation effectiveness.

Lowry Technique

The Lowry Technique combines blowing and swallowing while pinching the nose. It requires the diver to close their nostrils while pinching them and perform a blow while swallowing, which helps to open the eustachian tubes. Combining these actions makes the Lowry Technique more effective than the Valsalva maneuver alone.

Divers who master this technique may find it easier to equalise their ears, especially during rapid descents. Practice is key to performing the Lowry Technique smoothly and effectively during dives.

Edmonds Technique

The Edmonds Technique involves pushing the jaw forward while performing a Valsalva maneuver. This action engages the throat muscles, which helps to open the Eustachian tubes without pinching the nose. By combining jaw movements with the Valsalva maneuver, divers can achieve effective equalisation during their descent.

This method is beneficial for divers who find it challenging to equalise using traditional techniques. Mastering the Edmonds Technique requires practice and control over jaw and throat movements.

When and How Often to Equalise

Knowing when and how often to equalise is crucial for preventing ear discomfort and injuries. Divers should start the equalisation process before descending and continue to equalise frequently during the dive.

Let’s explore the details of this practice.

Equalize Early

To avoid ear issues during descent, follow these equalisation tips:

• Initiate the equalisation process before descent.

• Equalise at shallow depths to maintain ear health and prevent discomfort.

• Equalise just below the surface to ensure balanced ear pressure and monitor your descent rate.

Equalise frequently every few feet during descent to prevent pressure build-up, which can cause ear pain and potential injuries.

Equalise Often

Maintaining ear pressure balance during a dive requires frequent equalisation. Divers should equalise with every breath during descent to avoid discomfort. Equalise whenever you feel slight pressure or at extended depths.

As you descend deeper, you may find the need to equalise less frequently due to changes in ambient pressure. However, it’s important to listen to your body and equalise as needed to maintain comfort and prevent injuries.

Troubleshooting Equalisation Problems

Despite best efforts, many divers may still encounter equalization problems, as most divers do. Understanding the causes and knowing how to address these issues is vital for new divers to have a safe diving experience, especially when divers clear their ears effectively.

Let’s delve into common causes and solutions for equalisation problems.

Causes of Equalisation Issues

Congestion and allergies often complicate equalisation efforts. Congestion can block the Eustachian tubes, making pressure equalisation difficult. Allergies cause nasal inflammation and swelling, further obstructing the process.

What to Do If Your Ears Won't Equalise

Should you have trouble equalising your ears, trying different techniques may help. If the Valsalva maneuver is tricky, consider ascending slightly or trying the Frenzel or Toynbee maneuvers.

If your ears hurt, ascend a few feet and try to equalise again. Persistent pain may require stopping the dive and seeking medical advice. Safety and comfort should always be your top priority.

Ear Care Tips for Divers

Proper ear care prevents infections and long-term damage from barotrauma, ensuring successful equalisation and a comfortable dive.

Here are some essential ear care tips for divers.

Cleaning Your Ears After Diving

A recommended solution for cleaning ears after diving is a mix of half vinegar and half rubbing alcohol. Using an ear dropper, apply a few drops in each ear to prevent infections.

Avoid using cotton swabs as they can push debris further into the ear canal.

Managing Swimmer's Ear

Thoroughly drying your ears after diving is crucial in preventing swimmers’ ear. Using a vinegar and alcohol blend can help clean ears after diving to avoid swimmer’s ear.

Recognising the signs of swimmer’s ear, such as itching and discomfort, and promptly treating it can prevent long-term issues.

Can You Use Earplugs While Diving?

Using earplugs while scuba diving poses significant safety concerns. Standard earplugs create an air space in the ear canal that cannot be equalised, leading to potential ear injuries.

Let’s explore the risks of solid earplugs and the alternative of vented earplugs.

Risks of Solid Earplugs

Solid earplugs increase the risk of injury, including barotrauma. They can block the ear canal, hindering pressure equalisation and potentially causing a ruptured eardrum, pain, and hearing loss.

Vented Earplugs

Manufacturers promote vented earplugs for their ease of equalisation. These earplugs allow air to pass through, helping to balance the pressure in the middle ear while providing protection against water entry.

For those who prefer ear protection, vented earplugs offer a safer alternative.

Recognising and Treating Ear Injuries

Prompt recognition and treatment of ear injuries are crucial. If the middle ear is not properly equalized during descent, a pressure differential can cause barotrauma.

Let’s discuss the signs of a ruptured eardrum and understanding barotrauma.

Signs of a Ruptured Eardrum

A ruptured eardrum may cause nausea, dizziness, and disorientation, especially after a dive. Symptoms include sudden ear pain, a loud popping sound, hearing loss, and possible ear drainage.

Treatment may involve rest and avoiding activities that exacerbate symptoms.

Understanding Barotrauma

Barotrauma involves ear pain or a feeling of clogging due to pressure changes, causing pain. Severe symptoms include a ruptured eardrum, bleeding, dizziness, a buzzing sound, and hearing loss.

Treatments for barotrauma-related ear problems include oral steroids, hyperbaric treatments, physical therapy, and surgery.

Summary

Mastering ear equalisation is essential for a safe and enjoyable diving experience. Understanding why your ears hurt, the importance of equalisation, and the various techniques available can help you prevent discomfort and potential injuries. From basic methods like the Valsalva maneuver to advanced techniques such as the Lowry and Edmonds techniques, divers have multiple options to manage ear pressure effectively.

Knowing when and how often to equalise, troubleshooting common issues, and following proper ear care tips can ensure your ears remain healthy and pain-free. Remember, the key to a successful dive is preparation and practice. Stay safe, dive smart, and enjoy the underwater wonders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my ears hurt while diving?

Your ears hurt while diving because of pressure differences that build up, but you can ease that discomfort by using ear equalisation techniques. Just remember to equalise regularly as you descend!

What are the most common techniques for ear equalisation?

The Valsalva, Frenzel, and Toynbee maneuvers are your go-to techniques for ear equalisation. Give them a try to relieve pressure effectively!

How often should I equalise my ears during a dive?

You should equalise your ears with every breath while descending and whenever you feel any pressure. This helps prevent discomfort and potential injury.

Can I use earplugs while diving?

It's best to avoid standard earplugs while diving. They can trap air in your ear canal, making equalisation difficult. Instead, opt for vented earplugs for safer diving.

What should I do if I experience ear pain during a dive?

If you're experiencing ear pain while diving, ascend to a shallower depth to relieve the pressure and attempt to equalise. If the pain continues, it's best to stop the dive and seek medical advice.