How to prevent ear squeeze underwater by equalizing pressure with a pinched-nose blow and swallowing.

How can you prevent an ear squeeze while diving?

• A. Swim deeper
• B. Hold your breath
• C. Equalize pressure by blowing pinched nose or swallowing
• D. Ascend slowly

Answer: (C)

To prevent an ear squeeze while diving, equalizing pressure is essential. When a diver descends, the pressure around them increases, which can create a situation where the pressure in the middle ear is less than the pressure externally, leading to discomfort or injury known as ear squeeze. The technique of equalizing involves methods such as pinching the nose and blowing gently or swallowing. These actions help to open the Eustachian tubes, allowing air to flow into the middle ear and balance the pressure with the external water pressure. This process should be performed frequently during descent, especially when reaching depths where pressure changes are more pronounced. Other strategies that may come to mind, such as ascending slowly, address different concerns, such as decompression sickness, but they do not specifically target the challenge of managing ear pressure effectively during descent. Understanding how to equalize properly is crucial for ensuring a safe and comfortable diving experience, protecting the ear from the risks of pressure fluctuations.

Ever felt a sudden pressure in your ears as you start to descend? That familiar tinny ache or muffled sound is more than just annoying—it's your ears telling you something important about the pressure changes around you. The key to staying comfortable (and safe) is simple: equalize the pressure in your middle ear as you descend. Let me break down how that works and why it matters.

What actually causes ear squeeze?

When you go underwater, the water around you gets deeper and the pressure increases. Your outer ear feels the water pressure immediately, but your middle ear—an air-filled space behind the eardrum—needs air to balance that pressure. If the pressure outside rises faster than the pressure inside, your eardrum can’t vibrate normally. That mismatch creates the squeeze, which can be painful and, if ignored, can lead to injury.

The Eustachian tubes are the little bridges here. They connect your middle ear to the back of your throat and help equalize pressure by letting air flow in or out. Opening those tubes is what makes the difference between a comfortable descent and a painful, potentially risky one. Now, how do you get those tubes to open reliably while you’re underwater?

The right move: equalize by blowing through a pinched nose or swallowing

Here’s the thing: the correct approach to preventing ear squeeze is to equalize the pressure. The most common and effective methods are:

• Pinch your nose and gently blow. This slight, controlled pressure helps to push air through the Eustachian tubes into the middle ear. It’s not a big blast—gentle and steady is best.

• Swallow or yawn. These natural actions activate the muscles that help open the tubes, giving your ears a chance to balance pressure with the outside environment.

You do these actions not just when you feel fullness or pain, but at regular intervals during descent. Think of it as a maintenance check for your ears: as you descend and the outside pressure climbs, you want to keep that middle-ear pressure in harmony with it.

A bit of context that helps with motivation

If you’ve ever tried to descend without equalizing, you probablyRemember that uncomfortable moment when you realize your ears aren’t listening to you anymore? It’s not just a nuisance. Persistent pressure can cause tissue irritation and, in worst cases, barotrauma. Equalizing is your built-in safety valve. It’s one of those skills that seems small, but it makes the difference between a smooth, enjoyable underwater experience and stopping your progress because of pain.

A few practical tips to keep the process smooth

• Do it early and often. Don’t wait for pain to start. Check in with your ears every few meters (or feet, if you prefer the imperial scale) of descent.

• Don’t force it. If you feel resistance, stop and rest. Pushing can injure the ear or push the problem into a tougher situation.

• Try a few different ways. Some divers find the swallow method or gentle yawning alone isn’t enough at certain depths or with nasal congestion. In that case, the pinched-nose blow often does the trick.

• Be mindful of nasal congestion. If you’re congested due to allergies or a cold, equalizing becomes harder. Acknowledge your body’s signals—if you’re blocked, wait, clear your passages when safely possible, or postpone a deeper descent until you’re able to equalize more easily. In some cases, medical advice before diving is wise.

• Prepare for variability. Not every descent is the same. Depth changes, your altitude, even your own ear anatomy can change how easy or hard equalizing is. Stay attentive and adapt.

What about the other options listed in that little quiz?

• A: Swim deeper. That’s a tempting thought, but it’s not the key to the problem. If you don’t equalize properly, going deeper can actually worsen the uncomfortable feeling or risk injury. Depth changes are precisely what you’re trying to manage with equalization, so you want to handle the middle-ear pressure first.

• B: Hold your breath. This is a classic pitfall. Holding your breath creates a dangerous buildup of pressure inside the chest and airways, and it can make the ear squeeze worse. Always breathe normally through your regulator and use equalization as needed.

• D: Ascend slowly. Slower ascent matters for decompression safety and general comfort on the way back up, but it isn’t a direct fix for ear squeeze during descent. You still want to equalize on the way down; a slow ascent helps with other pressure-related issues on the ascent, not the immediate challenge of the descent.

A few extra notes to keep you safe and comfortable

• If you can’t equalize, back off. Don’t push through pain. Stop descending, ascend a little to relieve the pressure, then try again. If you still can’t equalize after a couple of attempts, pause the dive and re-evaluate with your instructor or guide. Persistent trouble isn’t something to muscle through.

• Use a gentle touch. The goal is to open the Eustachian tubes, not to blast them open. Gentle pressure is enough. Think “soft elevator” rather than “blowtorch.”

• Consider your gear and environment. A well-fitted mask, clean regulator, and a calm, controlled breathing pattern all contribute to a smoother experience. If your mask leaks or your regulator’s airflow feels erratic, that can complicate equalization. Keep equipment well-maintained.

• Talk to a professional about chronic issues. If you’ve consistently got trouble equalizing, a medical professional or a dive medicine specialist can check for structural or functional reasons behind your ear pressure. It’s not unusual for a little guidance to improve comfort and safety.

Let’s tie it all together with a simple, repeatable routine

• Before you start descending, take a moment to breathe and relax. A tense jaw or tight shoulders can make equalizing feel harder.

• Start your descent slowly and check in with your ears every few meters.

• When you feel fullness or a slight pinch, perform one of the equalizing techniques: pinch-nose blow, or swallow.

• If you hear a pop or feel relief, you’re likely balanced again. If the pressure remains, stop the descent, back off, and re-attempt later.

• If pain sticks around or you can’t equalize after several tries, abort the deeper part of the descent and remain at a shallower depth until you’re ready to try again, or seek guidance.

Why this matters for your underwater journey

Mastering ear equalization isn’t just a safety checkbox. It builds confidence. When you know that you can manage the pressure comfortably, you’re freer to focus on what’s around you—the colors of the reef, the glint of a passing fish, the way light dances through the water. You’ll notice more of the underwater world, and you’ll move with a steadier rhythm, which also makes you a better buddy and a safer diver.

If you’re curious about the science behind the technique, the Eustachian tubes are fascinating little connectors. They’re normally closed to keep air where it belongs, but they can be opened deliberately by those small actions you already know. It’s amazing how such a simple habit can unlock a much more enjoyable exploration of the ocean.

A quick, human takeaway

Equalizing is your ally during descent. It’s not a dramatic trick; it’s a practical, repeatable habit that keeps your ears happy and your adventures smooth. The answer to preventing ear squeeze isn’t complicated—it's about timely, gentle, deliberate equalization. Pinch, blow, swallow, and don’t rush the process.

So next time you head under, remember this little routine. Your ears will thank you, and so will your overall experience. If you ever want a refresher, keep this handy: equalize early, equalize often, and equalize gently. The rest of the dive—the sights, the sensations, the quiet moments with the marine world—will fall into place around that simple, powerful practice.

And yes, that quick, tiny pressure check at depth isn’t just a trick of the trade. It’s a skill you can leverage every time you descend, turning what could be a tense moment into a smooth, satisfying part of the journey. Ready to give it a try on your next underwater adventure? You’ll probably notice the difference right away.