![]() Equalise early and often (every 0.3-0.5 m, especially in the beginning of the dive) until you reach the deepest point.Descend slowly and equalise in a feet-first position and if needed extend your neck (looking up) as this tends to open the Eustachian tubes.This means the Eustachian tubes are open. Equalise before you enter the water or descend and make sure you hear the “pop” or “click” in both ears.A special diving mask (Pro Ear) or special ear drops (also available from the online DAN-SA store) can be used as prevention tools to reduce the risk of otitis externa. This is caused by bacteria in the external ear canal causing inflammation. When diving frequently, divers can also experience an outer ear infection (otitis externa). Blockages can be caused by excess wax, non-vented ear plugs or an extremely tight fitting hood. This can create excess pressure or a vacuum in the air space as the diver changes depths. Outer ear barotraumas occur when the ear canal becomes blocked, trapping air between the blockage and the ear drum. ![]() ![]() If the stress on the middle ear becomes too great (from not equalising or trying too hard using the Valsalva technique) it can cause damage to the inner war (hearing and balance structure), which can then lead to permanent damage. When pressure in air spaces cannot equalise, the diver may experience pain and discomfort.ĭuring ascent, if the expanding air space cannot be vented (reverse block), the volume of gas in the cavity increases, resulting in more pain and discomfort. Swollen, damaged tissues could restrict the passage of air through the opening that allows equalisation. During descent, when pressure increases, divers must equalise air spaces in the sinuses (through the sinus ostium connecting the nose and the sinuses) and middle ears (through the Eustachian tubes) to the surrounding water pressure. Ear and sinus barotrauma can be caused by changes in ambient pressure.
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