SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/scuba-equalize-early-and-often

When should divers equalize their ears on the way down?

Early and often, before it hurts.

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  1. Only once they reach the bottom
  2. Early and often ✔
  3. Only when their ears hurt

Why: Waiting until it hurts means the pressure difference may already be locking your ear tubes shut. Equalizing early and often keeps the middle ear matched to the water pressure.

Huh, didn't know that: DAN suggests equalizing gently even at the surface to get through the first few feet of descent.

The dad joke
Equalize early, it's in the name. Ear-ly.
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References

Answer: Early and often. Waiting until it hurts means the pressure difference may already be locking your ear tubes shut. Equalizing early and often keeps the middle ear matched to the water pressure.

  1. DAN: Recognizing and Preventing Barotrauma dan.org/safety-prevention/diver-safety/divers-blog/recognizing-and-preventing-barotrauma
    Encourage your divers to use proper equalization techniques early and often.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

Sports & FitnessWhich descent position makes equalizing your ears easier?Sports & FitnessWithout equalizing, about how deep can you go before your ears begin to hurt?Sports & FitnessYour ears start to hurt on the way down. What should you do?

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