How to Equalize Your Ears (Without the Pain)

As you descend, water pressure pushes on your eardrums. Equalizing opens the small tubes (Eustachian tubes) that connect your throat to your middle ear, letting air in to balance the pressure.

Techniques

• Valsalva — pinch your nose and gently blow against it. Gentle is the key word.
• Toynbee — pinch your nose and swallow.
• Frenzel — pinch your nose and push your tongue up and back like saying “k.”
• Jaw wiggle and swallow — some divers can equalize hands-free.

Habits that help

• Start equalizing on the surface and every few feet on the way down — before you feel pressure.
• Descend feet-first, slowly, using the anchor or descent line.
• If it hurts, stop, ascend a few feet, and try again. Never force it.
• Don't dive with a cold or congestion.