How To Relieve Pressure When Diving?

This Smart Guide aims to help divers understand how their ears respond to pressure and the best ways to protect them while scuba diving. It covers six methods to equalize ear pressure, including the Valsalva maneuver, which involves pinching your nostrils and blowing through your nose. This technique is crucial to prevent discomfort and potential injuries while diving.

The most common method for equalizing ears when diving is the Valsalva Maneuver, which involves pinching your nose through the mask skirt and attempting a gentle blow. This gentle pressure opens the eustachian tube and flows air gently to the middle ears. A rough rule of thumb is to equalize the ears twice every three feet (or one meter) to maintain proper and successful equalizations.

To ensure a comfortable and safe underwater experience, divers should start equalizing their ears every few minutes, from a few hours before diving. Pinching your nose and blowing gently can create pressure in your head, allowing equalized pressure air to enter your sinus cavities. The Valsalva maneuver consists of pinching your nostrils and blowing through your nose, resulting in a slight positive pressure in your middle ears.

In summary, understanding how your ears respond to pressure is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable underwater adventure. Divers should use various techniques to equalize ear pressure, such as pinching their nose, blowing through their nose, and practicing the Valsalva maneuver.