When we freedive, the air spaces in our body get smaller as the pressure increases. The air spaces in the mask, sinuses, lungs and ears must all be equalized as you descend and the pressure rises. Equalizing early and often is important. Staying hydrated is important as the mucous is thinner making it easier for air to pass through. 

Be sure to relax before you start to freedive. Being relaxed makes it easier to freedive. Be sure to never freedive while you’re sick or congested. Descend in a slow and calm manner, if you cannot equalize at any point, ascend and try again. Do not push if you feel discomfort or pain. Body position is important. Keep your head straight and upright. Avoid looking up or down as this stretches the Eustachian tube making it difficult to equalize.   

Let’s take a look at three ways to equalize. Choosing which technique is best for you takes practice and more practice. 

The Valsalva Maneuver

The Valsalva maneuver is a technique that most people who have been on a plane are familiar with. By pinching your nose and exhaling through closed lips, air from the lungs enters the middle ear. This technique is effective up to a depth of 30 meters but past this many do not have the air in their lungs to continue to equalize using this method.

The Frenzel Maneuver

The Frenzel Maneuver named after a World War II pilot is a method where your nostrils are pinched closed and you try to make a sound. This moves your tongue and air up allowing you to equalize with less oxygen. It’s been shown to be effective up to a depth of 80 meters.

BTV Technique

The third technique is slightly more difficult. It was developed by the French navy and is called the BTV or the Voluntary Tubal Opening technique. This hands-free technique requires some practice. The Eustachian tube is pulled open by contracting the soft palate and upper throat. It’s similar to what happens when you yawn.

Equalization

Your mask also requires equalization as you descend. Freediving masks are low-volume and some divers equalize their masks without thinking. Using the Valsalva or Frenzel method allows some air to leak from your nose into the mask and it’s usually done without thinking. Freedivers who descend to great depths tend not to use a mask as it gets more difficult to equalize the mask at greater depths.

Making sure you do not freedive when you are congested or sick is important. This makes it more difficult to equalize and could lead to an injury. Some prefer to use neti-pots on a regular basis to clear out their sinuses. People who are often congested or have allergies may choose to pick. 

When using these techniques above, you will be able to reach new depths. Practice these techniques at the surface before attempting them in the water.