Diving and Ear Injuries
Equalize your ears early and often, and follow a descent line to control your descent rate if necessary.
Preventing Ear Equalization Problems
There are some measures you should take to prevent equalization problems.
Equalize before you feel discomfort. If you wait too long, the Eustachian tubes will close to the extent that it will be impossible to equalize. If this occurs, immediately ascend a few feet or until the pressure is relieved, and attempt equalization again. Many divers equalize before their descent to relieve any pressure that exists at the surface.
A feet-first descent makes equalization easier, so try to avoid head-first descents. If you must descend head-first, such as during a skin dive, equalize continuously as you descend.
A slow descent also makes equalization easier, so until you learn to control your descent rate, you should hold onto a descent line. This helps you to stop your descent at any time and equalize before continuing to descend.
Equalize before you feel discomfort. If you wait too long, the Eustachian tubes will close to the extent that it will be impossible to equalize. If this occurs, immediately ascend a few feet or until the pressure is relieved, and attempt equalization again. Many divers equalize before their descent to relieve any pressure that exists at the surface.
A feet-first descent makes equalization easier, so try to avoid head-first descents. If you must descend head-first, such as during a skin dive, equalize continuously as you descend.
A slow descent also makes equalization easier, so until you learn to control your descent rate, you should hold onto a descent line. This helps you to stop your descent at any time and equalize before continuing to descend.
