Skin Diver Manual

INDEX

Welcome to the underwater world!

Medical Check-up

Skin Diver Course Completion

Skin Diving Equipment

Gear Preparation and Maintenance

Using Your Equipment

Skin Diving Skill

Rules and Manners

Safety Management

Important Points for Ocean Practice
Ear Equalization

Mask Blow

Mask Clear

Dangerous Breathing Methods – Hyperventilation

Light and Color

Poisonous Sea Life 1

Poisonous Sea Life 2

Aggressive Sea Life

Transform into a Fish on your Holidays

Important Points for Ocean Practice


■Ear Equalization

When diving, we experience increased pressure. If there is a differential between external pressure and our body spaces, we feel an uncomfortable, if not painful, pulling sensation, a condition we call “squeeze”. To protect against worsening squeeze, if we start to feel a squeezing feeling, we take measures to normalize pressure (called equalization), such as swimming at a shallower depth.

When the ear, normally adjusted to surface pressures, is exposed to increased pressure during diving, the middle ear’s eardrum can feel painfully disturbed. In this case, we use the Valsalva maneuver to equalize pressure.

The Valsalva maneuver is performed by forcibly exhaling at the same time you are pinching your nose while keeping your lips tightly closed. The action forces air into the middle air via the Eustachian tube. However, you should take care not to overdo the maneuver to avoid auditory damage form over-pressurization. Swallowing and a yawning motion are some of the gentler methods that can work as well.

Please practice the maneuver while wearing your mask prior to entering the water. In order to prevent squeeze, you should equalize frequently and in advance of any pain developing. If you find it difficult to equalize, slowly ascending to a shallower depth should resolve the issue.

If you experience pain as a result of being unable to equalize, please stop the dive.


Improving Ear Equalization

Valsalva Maneuver



Eardrum

Middle Ear

An Ear Affected by Squeeze


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