As instructors, it breaks our hearts to see it happen. We get out to the dive site, the water is crystal clear, the group splashes in, and one diver is stuck at 10 feet, frantically pinching their nose and pointing to their ear. Eventually, they have to abort the dive.

Ear problems are the absolute bane of the traveling diver. When you fly from the dry desert air of Tucson to a humid, tropical environment, your sinuses often react by swelling up. Add a little boat wind, some air conditioning in the hotel room, and suddenly your Eustachian tubes are glued shut.

But ear pain isn’t just “part of diving.” It is your body telling you that you are doing something wrong. Here is how we train our divers at 72 Aquatics to protect their ears before, during, and after the dive.

Before You Splash: The Setup

Equalization starts long before your head slips below the surface. If you wait until you feel pressure underwater to start thinking about your ears, you are already too late.

• Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: This is crucial for Arizona divers. Dehydration causes the mucus in your sinuses to become thick and sticky, which clogs your Eustachian tubes. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your trip, and skip the heavy alcohol the night before a dive.
• Pre-Equalize on the Surface: Before you even step off the boat, gently pinch your nose and swallow, or gently blow. You should hear a little “pop” or “click” in both ears. This opens the tubes and preps them for the pressure change. If they won’t pop on the boat, they certainly won’t pop at 15 feet.
• The Decongestant Debate: Many divers use over-the-counter decongestants like Sudafed to dive. While this can help clear minor congestion, you must be incredibly careful. If a decongestant wears off while you are underwater, you can experience a “reverse block” on the way up, which is excruciating and dangerous. Always consult with a doctor, and never dive if you are truly sick.

During the Descent: Technique is Everything

Most ear squeezes happen in the first 30 feet of the water column, because that is where the pressure changes are the most extreme. Here is how to navigate the danger zone safely.

Equalize Early and Often. You should be equalizing every 2 to 3 feet on the way down. Do not wait until you feel pain. Pain means the pressure has already locked your Eustachian tube shut, and blowing harder will only damage your eardrum.

Descend Feet First. When you dive head-first, the blood rushes to your head, swelling the tissues around your Eustachian tubes and making them harder to open. Stay vertical, use a descent line if one is available, and go down slowly.

Look Up. Extending your neck and looking toward the surface physically stretches open your Eustachian tubes. If one ear is being stubborn, stretch the tight side of your neck pointing that ear toward the surface, and try again.

The Golden Rule: Stop and Ascend. If it hurts, STOP. Do not force it. Signal your buddy, ascend a few feet until the pain goes away, and try equalizing again gently. If it simply won’t clear, you must end the dive. A missed dive is disappointing; a ruptured eardrum will end your diving for months.

After the Dive: Fighting the Funk

Pressure isn’t the only enemy; bacteria is the other. “Swimmer’s ear” (Otitis Externa) is a painful outer ear infection caused by water getting trapped in the ear canal, allowing bacteria to grow. It is incredibly common on week-long dive trips or liveaboards.

To prevent this, rinse your ears with fresh water after every dive day. Many of our seasoned travelers swear by homemade ear drops (a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar). A couple of drops in each ear at the end of the day dries out the trapped water and creates an acidic environment that bacteria hate.

Keep Your Ears Happy

Diving should be peaceful, not painful. If you consistently struggle with equalization, you don’t necessarily have “bad ears”—you might just need to refine your technique. There are many ways to equalize beyond the standard “pinch and blow” (Valsalva maneuver), such as the Frenzel or the swallow technique.

Need some help? Come into 72 Aquatics. We can fit you for a pair of vented Doc’s Proplugs (which help immensely with equalization and keeping cold water out), or set up a quick pool session to help you practice slow, controlled descents. Protect your ears, and they’ll reward you with a lifetime of underwater silence!