Difficulty in equalising

[BigG]

When I first started, I always had problems within the first 10 meters - finally I seem to be OK now.

Try theses tips.

1. descend slowly and equalise often (gently)
2. If wearing a hood, pull it away from your ear and tilt your ear to the surface to release any trapped air. Wiggle finger in ear if necessary. repeat with other ear. Sounds rediculous but I found that this really helps.
3. At the surface, rinse your face in water, helps get the mucus moving in your nose, allowing air to migrate.
4. When on the surface, stick your face in the water and blow through your nose to get a good clear out of the pipes

A girl on holiday mentioned to me that she had proplems with her ears (she wore a hood) and I told her about tip 2. and it worked instantly for her, she was dead chuffed!.

Gaz

[drysuit repair dave]

Most people are taught the Valsalva method (hold nose and blow) as it is easy to explain, but it is not a very good method
The Frenzel technique (the "tongue pumping" method Mal refers to earlier in the thread) is much more efficient. The only problem is it is harder to teach and to master. There is a very good document here; www.liquivision.ca/frenzel.doc which explains in easy steps how to do it

cheers
dave
drysuitrepair.co.uk

[Naomi S]

That's so frustrating i cant do it to save my life! Not that i'm likely to be going to any depth where i'm likely to need this technique anytime soon. Can anyone else blow air from cheeks out of nose without opening their epiglotis?

[Leg Of Salmon]

No, but I can blow air out my mouth and breath in through my nose at the same time.

[Gene_Hobbs]

There are some references on different techniques here.

I HIGHLY suggest that every new diver take an hour to watch Ed Kay's presentation on "The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure". That might also give you a few other options.

[drysuit repair dave]

Originally Posted by Naomi S

That's so frustrating i cant do it to save my life! Not that i'm likely to be going to any depth where i'm likely to need this technique anytime soon. Can anyone else blow air from cheeks out of nose without opening their epiglotis?

I use the Frenzel technique most of the time, and I cant blow air from my cheeks out of my nose without opening my epiglotis.
Follow the step by step instructions in the document, and get each one right before moving on to the next. It might take a few weeks, but once you have mastered the Frenzel technique you will never have equalisation problems again

cheers
dave
drysuitrepair.co.uk

[sheepless]

Originally Posted by Leg Of Salmon

No, but I can blow air out my mouth and breath in through my nose at the same time.

You'd make a heck of a didgeridoo player

I use the Frenzal technique too (from what I can interpret from Mal's description) and it's failsafe for me. The Valsalva doesn't really work for me. It's probably worth trying a few different techniques and seeing what's most effective for you.