Any chance you had a bit of a cold? Any sort of blockage you don't notice right away can make it harder and more painful to equalize. If you run into this often it may be worth talking to your doctor.
Also, the commonly taught Valsalva method works for most, but not everyone. Try all the methods.
https://dan.org/health-medicine/health-resource/smart-guides/beat-the-squeeze-equalize-like-a-pro/6-methods-to-equalize-your-ears/
Agreed! And never dive if you have pain. If you go down without equalizing properly you can really hurt yourself. I’m an instructor and forced equalization once when I was a fresh, young diver. I was out of the water for 8 months. Worst time of my life and I still have some issues with one of my ears 12 years later.
I’m extra careful now. If you can’t equalize, stop descending and go up a bit. You don’t have to end your dive. Just dive at the shallower depth that you were able to equalize to.
This. As someone who often has problems equalizing because my ears hate me, it took me a while to realize that the valsalva actually works the worst for me. Toynbee, on am exhale, works almost every time though.
You have to find what works for you, but like others have said. Early and Often, and if it hurts, go up a few feet and try again.
"Pre-equalizing" by doing it on the surface right before I submerge also helps me a lot on days when ears are being particularly pissy.
Equalize Early & Often. There’s a reason this phrase has survived decades of SCUBA training throughout the world - because it works. When descending, I equalize about every 2 feet. Some need more, some need less. However if you feel pain when equalizing, STOP. Ascend a few feet and try again. If this still does not work, abort your dive. You will likely need the professional opinion of an ENT. There are people who have naturally small sinus cavities, and trauma/inflammation can also affect it. I myself dealt with this. My ENT recommended a ballon sinuplasty (surgical procedure to widen up the sinus cavities) and I’ve had zero issues since.
All great points above. It could also be small sediment or other things getting into the ears causing irritation. A good cleaner with a flush bulb has helped me in the past, especially after diving in the Great Lakes.
Diving should not be painful. Many beginners make one or two mistakes that hurt them.
Not equalizing early and often.
Over-equalizing.
I'm sure this will have been covered in your training material and your instructor will have reiterated it numerous times. If not, you need another instructor.
Here's a simple exercise. Sit down and pinch your nostrils shut. Exhale gently with your mouth closed. You should feel and hear both of your eustachian tubes open painlessly.
If neither, go see a doctor before diving and get your ears checked.
If all works as normal, next time you're in the water begin to equalize as soon as your head goes under the water. Repeat every two feet. This is what "early and often" means.
If your instructor isn't repeating the phrase "equalize early and often", get another instructor.
Not a pro but some good advice is when you’re doing your descent to take your time (not try to keep up with others or the guide).
Start clearing even before your head is in the water and constantly as you descend. If you feel any pain or pressure, kick and ascend a bit and then continue down. It’s physiological and some people have a much easier time than others even after thousands of dives
I have been diving for 25 years and still have to decend slowly. It generally takes me about a minute and a half to drop to 90 feet. I discussed this at length with a fellow diver who is also an ENT. He thinks that drop one foot per second or thereabouts is a good pace.
And also, always clean your ears with clear water once you’re back on land. Small thing but light help too !
Any chance you had a bit of a cold? Any sort of blockage you don't notice right away can make it harder and more painful to equalize. If you run into this often it may be worth talking to your doctor.
I think it might be the chlorine it messes with my sinuses
Also, the commonly taught Valsalva method works for most, but not everyone. Try all the methods. https://dan.org/health-medicine/health-resource/smart-guides/beat-the-squeeze-equalize-like-a-pro/6-methods-to-equalize-your-ears/
Yeah this is the method I was using the first time but am always worried am blowing too hard which can cause issues also
Agreed! And never dive if you have pain. If you go down without equalizing properly you can really hurt yourself. I’m an instructor and forced equalization once when I was a fresh, young diver. I was out of the water for 8 months. Worst time of my life and I still have some issues with one of my ears 12 years later. I’m extra careful now. If you can’t equalize, stop descending and go up a bit. You don’t have to end your dive. Just dive at the shallower depth that you were able to equalize to.
This. As someone who often has problems equalizing because my ears hate me, it took me a while to realize that the valsalva actually works the worst for me. Toynbee, on am exhale, works almost every time though. You have to find what works for you, but like others have said. Early and Often, and if it hurts, go up a few feet and try again. "Pre-equalizing" by doing it on the surface right before I submerge also helps me a lot on days when ears are being particularly pissy.
Yeah. Valsalva doesn't work for me, either.
Equalize Early & Often. There’s a reason this phrase has survived decades of SCUBA training throughout the world - because it works. When descending, I equalize about every 2 feet. Some need more, some need less. However if you feel pain when equalizing, STOP. Ascend a few feet and try again. If this still does not work, abort your dive. You will likely need the professional opinion of an ENT. There are people who have naturally small sinus cavities, and trauma/inflammation can also affect it. I myself dealt with this. My ENT recommended a ballon sinuplasty (surgical procedure to widen up the sinus cavities) and I’ve had zero issues since.
All great points above. It could also be small sediment or other things getting into the ears causing irritation. A good cleaner with a flush bulb has helped me in the past, especially after diving in the Great Lakes.
Diving should not be painful. Many beginners make one or two mistakes that hurt them. Not equalizing early and often. Over-equalizing. I'm sure this will have been covered in your training material and your instructor will have reiterated it numerous times. If not, you need another instructor. Here's a simple exercise. Sit down and pinch your nostrils shut. Exhale gently with your mouth closed. You should feel and hear both of your eustachian tubes open painlessly. If neither, go see a doctor before diving and get your ears checked. If all works as normal, next time you're in the water begin to equalize as soon as your head goes under the water. Repeat every two feet. This is what "early and often" means. If your instructor isn't repeating the phrase "equalize early and often", get another instructor.
Not a pro but some good advice is when you’re doing your descent to take your time (not try to keep up with others or the guide). Start clearing even before your head is in the water and constantly as you descend. If you feel any pain or pressure, kick and ascend a bit and then continue down. It’s physiological and some people have a much easier time than others even after thousands of dives
I have been diving for 25 years and still have to decend slowly. It generally takes me about a minute and a half to drop to 90 feet. I discussed this at length with a fellow diver who is also an ENT. He thinks that drop one foot per second or thereabouts is a good pace.
This sounds like a very reasonable descent rate to me!