Under Pressure: Equalization Techniques For Freedivers

Male freediver performs the Valsalva Maneuver in his doctors office to ensure his ears clear properly after an injury

If you have a basic understanding of human physiology, you know that there are air spaces within the body. These are exposed to changes in pressure – you feel pressure changing as you move from low to high altitude and vice versa, and you’ll also feel pressure changing when you are scuba diving or freediving. The spaces that are most at risk of damage are those in your facial cavity and ears; unless you compensate for the intense pressure changes that happen during diving, you can suffer from pressure related injuries known as barotrauma. Equalization is a little different for everyone.

Rules for Equalizing Safely

All equalization methods should be undertaken in a careful, deliberate manner. Here are some things to remember during each dive:

Equalize before you start to feel pain in your sinuses or ears.
Do not continue to descend if you are not able to equalize; your eardrum will rupture and you will lose your hearing. In addition, this will cause sinus squeeze, which can cause permanent damage to your skull.
If you try to equalize and cannot do so completely, abort your dive and begin to ascend.

The Valsalva Maneuver – Freediving Equalization Techniques

Antonio Valsalva recorded middle ear pressurization in the 1700s. This simple equalization method is named in his honor. To use it, pinch your nose, close your mouth, and blow air from your lungs into your head space to force air into your middle ear. This technique works to depths of up to 30 meters; at greater depths, you will not have enough air in your lungs to use it.

The Frenzel Maneuver – Freediving Equalization Techniques

Named after a Luftwaffe commander who developed this technique for World War II bomber pilots, the Frenzel Maneuver is effective at depths of up to 80 meters. It is accomplished by closing off the vocal cords, pinching your nostrils, and attempting to make a “guh” or “k” sound. This will elevate the back of your tongue and lift the Adam’s Apple, which in turn pushes air up into your middle ear. You can do the Frenzel maneuver repeatedly.

The Toynbee Maneuver – Freediving Equalization Techniques

In the Toynbee Manuever, the muscles at the back of the throat pull the Eustachian tubes open. To accomplish this, pinch your nostrils and swallow. You will hear a clicking or crackling noise. Like the Frenzel maneuver, the Toynbee maneuver works at depths beyond 30 meters and can be repeated.

The VTO Maneuver – Freediving Equalization Techniques

Also known as the BTV maneuver, the VTO maneuver involves “Voluntary Tubal Opening” (Beance Tubaire Volontaire in French). It is less reliable than other methods; in fact only about 30% of those who try it are able to do it. In this equalization method, the soft palate muscles are contracted while muscles in the upper throat are used to pull the Eustachian tubes open. Its mechanics are somewhat like yawning with one’s mouth closed.

The Wet Equalization Maneuver – Freediving Equalization Techniques

A maneuver in which water is allowed to flood the sinuses, the Wet Equalization Maneuver is chiefly used by professional freedivers. It is challenging as there is an increased risk of drowning, and it takes correct training and practice to accomplish it. Do not try this method without appropriate instruction.

Equalization techniques may be combined and personalized; the important thing is to develop the ability to equalize comfortably and to know what will work best for you during freediving. If you scuba dive, you’ll find that you can use these same methods with reliability, increasing your safety and comfort throughout each and every dive.

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