How to Equalize Underwater Ear Pressure in Scuba Diving

When outside water pressure is greater than the inside of your sinus and ear cavities, a discomfort or "squeeze" occurs. Here's how to release it.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Scuba Gear
• Scuba Tanks

1. 

   Descend until your head is just below the surface.

2. 

   Keep one hand on your buoyancy compensator (BC) inflate button.

3. 

   Pinch your nose closed with the thumb and forefinger of the other hand.

4. Close your mouth.

5. 

   Tighten your cheeks.

6. Blow softly until air pressure builds in your inner ear canals. You should hear gentle popping or crackling.

7. Descend slowly - about a foot per second.

8. Equalize intermittently, always before the pressure grows against your outer ear.

Tips & Warnings

• If equalizing proves difficult, try swallowing or moving your jaw back and forth.

• If you are still unable to equalize, ascend until the squeeze disappears, then try again.

• Never dive with a cold. Sinuses blocked with mucus can make equalization impossible. Worse yet, you may successfully equalize the pressure on descent then find the passages blocked upon ascent. This terribly uncomfortable inside pressure, or "reverse squeeze," can take hours to ease.

• Scuba diving is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.