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Old 07-31-2017, 11:22 PM   #1
floridascuba
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easier way to equalize

sometimes I can get down somewhat easy, but most times I struggle to get to the bottom. I have issues clearing one ear or the other during descent. I can get them cleared, but sometimes it takes a bit of work. Any advice to easier equalization? I heard free divers will take mucinex to assist in helping to equalize. I try many methods. seems the dry swallow technique works best for me most times. But at times those canals want to be stubborn. I tried searching, but didn't see much. Or I didn't use the right phrases.
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Old 08-10-2017, 03:46 PM   #2
scottyah
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Re: easier way to equalize

What methods have you tried? For me the old hold-nose-and-blow works best, the trick is to do it early and often. If I'm going down rapidly(underwater rugby) I'll even do it continuously.
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Old 08-10-2017, 04:36 PM   #3
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Re: easier way to equalize

What Scott said. I used to have problems when I first started diving. I would wait until my ears started to feel pressure and then equalize. It is so much easier if you start as soon as you hit the water and equalize before you feel the need. You'll find doing it that way you may never feel any pressure at all on your descent. The more often you do it the easier.
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Old 08-10-2017, 05:08 PM   #4
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Re: easier way to equalize

I start as soon as I hit the water. I alternate dry swallowing and hold nose and blow. Also works better going down feet first. It was never a real issue since I was normally diving 50-60 for the longest time. But now I am diving 90' more common now, so would like to find an easier way down. Reason I don't free dive is because of the equalization. Which sucks.
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Old 08-10-2017, 05:20 PM   #5
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Re: easier way to equalize

Sounds like technique is not a problem. If you are cool using medications then affrin nasal spray is a relatively benign vasoconstrictor and will help with swelling in the sinuses, and to a small extent in the eustation tubes, affrin will only last 4-5 hours so take the morning of your dive. Nasocort is a nasal steroid spray and will also help but will last longer than 4 hours (12-24).
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Old 08-10-2017, 05:22 PM   #6
floridascuba
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Re: easier way to equalize

I'll try affrin. What about Mucinex? I probably have some around the house since the kids are always bringing home the funk during school time.
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Old 08-10-2017, 06:15 PM   #7
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Re: easier way to equalize

Is just one ear or both ears? I've a problem w/ only one ear being that the valve thingy in the back of my throat is wore out in one ear. This causes me to equalize and stop when my one ear is good but the other ear isn't...which causes issues. So my fix to concentrate on the harder ear as the trigger to stop.
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Old 08-10-2017, 06:34 PM   #8
floridascuba
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Re: easier way to equalize

It's always one ear. But not always the same ear. One day it will be left. The next it can be the right.
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Old 08-10-2017, 06:45 PM   #9
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Re: easier way to equalize

Well, that's tough. Afrin should do the trick.
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Old 08-11-2017, 06:13 AM   #10
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Re: easier way to equalize

A few days before you go diving start practicing your equalizations. Just push a little pressure so you hear it "pop" then suck in while holding your nose until you feel the pressure like you're diving, then equalize them again. Repeat this a few times a few times a day and it will help stretch you e-tubes and make equalization a lot easier on the day of your dive. I used to have issues with equalization, but if I do that then I can usually hands free equalize all the way down without even thinking about it.


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Old 08-11-2017, 09:15 AM   #11
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Re: easier way to equalize

Quote:
Originally Posted by floridascuba View Post
I'll try affrin. What about Mucinex? I probably have some around the house since the kids are always bringing home the funk during school time.
Mucinex works to make secretions more runny and effectively allow them to be cleared easier. It just depends on whether your problem is from obstruction from mucous or from tightness of your eustuchian tubes. Mucinex likely will not hurt, but if your problem is not mucous related then it won't help.

Sometimes you just have to try it and see what works best for you.
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Old 08-11-2017, 09:44 AM   #12
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Re: easier way to equalize

FII teaches you to equalize on the surface right before your dive. Try that and equalize fast and often on the way down.
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Old 08-12-2017, 07:43 AM   #13
floridascuba
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Re: easier way to equalize

thanks for the recommendations. Hopefully weather will nice where I can dive next week
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Old 09-22-2017, 05:12 PM   #14
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Re: easier way to equalize

~ 321Spearing !!! I agree, I start when I'm floating at the surface, I get both ears equalized before I dive. I equalize continually as I descend. Cheers.
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Old 09-26-2017, 02:52 PM   #15
NC_Spearo
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Re: easier way to equalize

You may try a netti pot before you go out....The night before and early the morning of. It really clears everything out -

Then equalize at the surface and often as you go down. Seems like the more I dive the easier it gets...
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