1. Listen For the “Pop”
Before you even board the boat, make sure that when you swallow you hear a “pop” or “click” in both ears. This tells you both Eustachian tubes are open.
2. Mulai Lebih Awal
Several hours before your dive, begin gently equalizing your ears every few minutes. “This has great value and is said to help reduce the chances of a block early on descent,” says Dr. Ernest S. Campbell, webmaster of “Diving Medicine Online.” “Chewing gum between dives seems to help,” adds Dr. Campbell.
3. Samakan Tekanan Telinga Sejak Di Permukaan
“Pre-pressurizing” at the surface helps get you past the critical first few feet of descent, where you’re often busy with dumping your BCD and clearing your mask. It may also inflate your Eustachian tubes so they are slightly bigger. The guide here is to pre-pressurize only if it seems to help you and to pressurize gently.
4. Turun Dengan Kaki Terlebih Dahulu
Air tends to rise up your Eustachian tubes, and fluid-like mucus tends to drain downward. Studies have shown a Valsalva maneuver requires 50% more force when you’re in a head-down position than head-up.
5. Lihat ke Atas
Memperpanjang leher Anda cenderung akan membuka tabung Eustachius Anda.
6. Gunakan Tali Untuk Turun
Menarik diri Anda sendiri ke bawah jangkar atau tali tambatan membantu mengontrol tingkat penurunan Anda lebih akurat. Tanpa tali tersebut, tingkat penurunan Anda mungkin akan lebih cepat dari yang Anda sadari. Tali ini juga akan membantu Anda menghentikan penurunan dengan cepat jika Anda merasakan tekanan, sebelum barotrauma sempat terjadi.
7. Tetap Maju
Lakukan penyamaan tekanan lebih sering, hal ini akan mempertahankan sedikit tekanan positif di area telinga tengah Anda.
8. Berhenti Jika Terasa Sakit
Don’t try to push through pain. Your Eustachian tubes are probably locked shut by pressure differential, and the only result will be barotrauma. If your ears begin to hurt, ascend a few feet and try equalizing again.
9. Hindari Tembakau dan Alkohol
Asap tembakau dan alkohol dapat mengiritasi selaput lendir Anda, meningkatkan lebih banyak lendir yang dapat menghalangi saluran Eustachius Anda.
10. Jaga Masker Anda Tetap Bersih
Air di hidung Anda dapat mengiritasi selaput lendir Anda, yang kemudian menghasilkan lebih banyak bahan yang menyumbat.