Equalize
every metre/few feet while
descending, before you
feel discomfort. If you
wait until you feel discomfort,
you may not be able to
equalize because water
pressure may be great
enough to hold the air
passages shut. Instead,
if you feel discomfort
in an air space, ascend
until the discomfort eases,
equalize and continue
a slow descent equalizing
more frequently. You'll
find it easier to equalize
with experience.
If
you can't equalize, discontinue
the dive. Continuing to
descend with an unequalized
air space may result in
a ruptured ear drum or
similar injuries. Never
attempt a forceful or
extended equalization
- that can also cause
serious ear injuries,
including a ruptured ear
drum, which can cause
vertigo. Should this occur,
abort the dive. If ascending
a metre/few feet and trying
again doesn't permit you
to equalize, don't force
it. Be patient and gentle,
or end the dive and try
another day.
You
can also create an unequalizable
space in your ear canal,
either by wearing a too-tight
wet suit hood that inadvertently
seals against your ears,
or by wearing ear plugs.
In either case, you end
up with an air space between
your ear drum and the
plug/hood that you can't
equalize. To prevent this,
pull your hood away from
your ears momentarily
to allow the pressure
to equalize, and nez er
wear ear plugs while diving.
The only exceptions are
special ear protectors
made specifically for
scuba diving that allow
for pressureequalization.
Congestion
(due to colds or allergies)
can plug air pas-sages,
making equalization difficult
or impossible. Medications,
such as sprays and decongestants,
may clear the openings,
but you shouldn't do this
and dive because the medication
may have undesirable side
effects (such as drowsiness)
and may wear off while
you're diving, creating
equalization problems
when you try to ascend
Atlantis International
Bali Dive Center
Jl. By Pass Ngurah Rai #350 Sanur, Bali
Phone : +62-361-284312
Fax : +62-361-282824
Mobile : +62-81-2380 5767
e-mail : info@balidiveaction.com
