Question about ear equalization on deeper wreck dives

I did a dive last week off the coast of San Diego on a wreck at about 130 feet. My ears have always been fine down to 100 feet, but at 110 they just wouldn't clear no matter what I tried. I spent a solid 10 minutes fighting it and had to abort the dive. Has anyone else hit a wall at certain depths, or is there a technique that works better past 100 feet?

2 comments

2 Comments

scott.jana23d ago

Oh man, that sounds brutal! I've totally hit that same wall around 110-120 feet, it's like my ears just decide to quit. The trick that finally worked for me was starting my equalizations way earlier, like right when I hit 30 feet, and doing them every few feet instead of waiting. You gotta be super gentle and consistent, not forcing it when you feel pressure. Another thing that helped was tilting my head back and swallowing hard, it sometimes opens things up when nothing else will. Frustrating that you had to abort, but better safe than sorry with ear issues.

taylor_miller1022d ago

Right when I hit 30 feet and doing them every few feet" sounds like a recipe for a workout, not a dive. I bet my jaw gets more exercise equalizing than my legs do kicking. Might as well add a neck stretch and a little shimmy while I'm at it, right?