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

Equalizing your ears during descent is crucial to avoid discomfort or injury due to pressure changes. The best method is to pinch your nose and gently blow while keeping your mouth closed, a technique known as the Valsalva maneuver. This action helps to increase pressure in the nasopharynx, thereby forcing air into the eustachian tubes and equalizing the pressure in the middle ear with the ambient pressure outside.

Swallowing frequently can assist in equalizing, as it helps open the eustachian tubes; however, it may not be as effective in all situations or at deeper depths where pressure changes are more pronounced. Yawning can also help equalize, but it is generally less controlled and not as effective in adjusting pressure quickly compared to the Valsalva maneuver. Descending slowly without equalizing is not advisable, as it can lead to discomfort and potential barotrauma to the ears. The recommended strategy is to consistently equalize during descent, which is best achieved by the method of pinching the nose and blowing gently.