Quick Question

[Brett327]

Memory serving, the valsalva forces more fluid into your eardrum area, which will balance with the increased air pressure due to a descent. In theory, if you increase the inner pressure while reducing the outer pressure (on an ascent), you could rupture something. And I think that is bad.

In theory, yes, but in practice, it gets the flow going through your eustachian tube. You're not going to rupture anything by w/ valsalva (edit: unless you're an idiot). There, happy?

Brett

 

[scoober78]

The swim phys mantra is "Yawn, chew and swallow" for ascents...however Brett is correct. Even Navy dive school teaches valsalva on ascent and descent and pressure changes in water are much more substantial.

If you perform the valsalva incorrectly however, you can break stuff...so learn to do it right (best place is in the water) and do it before its neccessary. After a while, your ears will get used to constant pressure changes and this will (usually) become less of an issue.

After several years of lots of diving, my ears almost take care of themselves.

 

[HAL Pilot]

I have always been taught to valsalva on the way down and yawn on the way up. This has always worked for me in both flying and diving.

We need to send up the Feddoc signal for this one.....

 

[ChunksJR]

I had pain in my ears, which is pretty usual right?

Well, were you trying to kill the instructor? That's when my studs have pain in their ears...

~D

 

[Fly Navy]

HAL, that's some good work right there.

 

[feddoc]

I have always been taught to valsalva on the way down and yawn on the way up. This has always worked for me in both flying and diving.

We need to send up the Feddoc signal for this one.....

Yup, valsalva only on the way down during a flight.

 

[Brett327]

Yup, valsalva only on the way down during a flight.

Bahh! What do you know. I do what's worked for me over the last 17 years - it's all good.

Brett

 

[ArkhamAsylum]

I do what's worked for me over the last 17 years - it's all good.

Perhaps, but the one time it doesn't work, you'll make the same face as that dude in your avatar.