How to Clear Ears While Snorkeling

Learning to properly clear your ears is essential if you plan to snorkel down more than just a few feet. Equalizing the pressure you feel in your ears will protect your ears from damage and allow you to continue to enjoy snorkeling in the future.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Clear your ears properly by holding your nostrils shut and blowing, very gently, without releasing any air from your mouth or nose. You should feel a little pop in your ears, and the pressure should subside.
2. Prepare to snorkel by clearing your ears before you even enter the water. This ensures that your nasal passages are clear and will make equalizing them in the water a little easier.
3. Plan to stop your descent and clear your ears every few feet. Equalizing your ears is best done before the pressure is felt.
4. Ascend back to the surface if you aren't able to clear your ears while snorkeling. If you are able to clear your ears at the surface, you may try to descend again, but if you can't, it's best to enjoy your snorkeling from the surface of the water instead.

Tips & Warnings

• Never continue to descend if you feel pain in your ears. Doing so can cause permanent damage to your hearing.
• If you have a cold or other sinus problems, you may not be able to clear your ears properly. You may decide to forgo snorkeling except from the surface of the water if you are particularly congested.