Scuba diving equalizing pressure help *URGENT*

Question

I am going on a Scuba trip soon and I have a question or two about equalizing my pressure in my ears. When i go down in a pool it doesn't work. Is this because I don't have air or oxygen? Also how long do I do it for? Do I just do it for a few seconds and feel the slight pressure or do I blow really hard and make them pop?

Thanks in advance, please answer it is sort of urgent.

Answer 1

I had a guy in my group have problems as well.  Our instructor told him to push his lower jaw out.  This really helped him.  

Answer 2

Equalising may not be necessary in a pool if you did not dive deep enough. Water pressure pushes your ear drum diaphragm inwards. By holding your breath, pinching your nostrills and 'blowing' you equalise the pressure the water puts on your ears. In other words you are applying pressure to the other side - the inside if you like.

When your ears feel pressured, just do this until you feel you've made them pop (if that description helps).

Answer 3

I have similar problems but for me it works better in a pool. When I have problems in the ocean, you ascend a few feet and try again. If that does not work, keep going up until you can pop them and try to descend.  When you pop them, don't keep trying. Take a break and try again after a few seconds. The reasons could be sinus related.

Answer 4

equalize early and often. i usually do it while i am putting my gear together. as you descend, you'll feel the pressure change, then equalize. if you cannot, then DO NOT FORCE IT ! slowly ascend then try again , it should work as the water pressure decreases

Answer 5

"Ear squeeze" is felt when the external pressure on the eustachian tube in the ear is greater than the internal pressure. It can happen in one or both ears.

From PADI open water manual, "During descent, water pressure increases and compresses the air in your body air spaces." To avoid discomfort and possible injury, "you keep the volume in an air space normal by adding air ."

Because of physical makeup, you may have a higher tolerance to pressure changes. You don't want to "force" your ears to pop but you should get in the habit of giving your ears a change to equalize before ear squeeze becomes an issue.

If you're having trouble equalizing, try chewing gum as you set your gear up. If you're finding that holding your nose and blowing isn't equalizing, try wiggling your jaw from side to side, stretching your neck by raising your chin up or swallowing while your holding your nose.