Equalising Your Ears Underwater
Sore ears stop more first dives than anything on the reef. How we equalise on Havelock intros and Open Water, and when we call the dive.
Why it hurts on the way down
Water pressure pushes on your eardrums as you descend. Your middle ear is a small air space. If you do not add air from the inside, it pinches. That puff of air is equalisation.
What we teach on Beach No. 5
Most people pinch the nose, close the mouth, and blow gently — like fogging glasses, not forcing a blocked tap. Swallowing or moving the jaw works for some. If it hurts, you went too fast. Come up a little and try again.
Equalise every metre or two, before it pinches. On the way up it usually clears on its own. A cold or blocked sinuses means we skip the dive. We would rather move the slot than send you home with a sore ear for the week.
Air-con, ferries, and dry island air all dry you out. Drink water. Tell us before you kit up if you have had ear pain on a plane or a current cold. We can stay shallower, go slower, or stay on the beach.
Practise it with an instructor on Try Scuba, or message the shop if you are unsure.