SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Practice Exam 2025 - Free Scuba Diver Practice Questions and Study Guide

If you experience equalization issues during your descent, the most effective action is to stop your descent and ascend slightly to relieve pressure. This approach allows you to give your body time to equalize the pressure in your ears and sinuses. When you feel discomfort, it is a clear signal that your body is not coping well with the pressure changes. Ascending even just a few feet can alleviate that pressure, allowing for easier and more comfortable equalization techniques, such as the Valsalva maneuver or Toynbee maneuver.

Continuing to descend without stopping can exacerbate equalization problems, leading to discomfort and potentially even injury to your ears or sinuses. Rapid breathing to increase pressure in the ears may not provide the necessary relief and could also lead to hyperventilation. Finally, panicking and signaling for help is not a productive response to equalization issues and could lead to a dangerous situation underwater. Maintaining a calm and controlled approach is essential for safe scuba diving practices.