Equalisation in Freediving: Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Equalisation is one of the most important (and most frustrating) parts of freediving. Whether you’re just starting out or pushing into advanced depths, almost everyone runs into issues at some point.

The good news? Most problems have clear solutions once you understand what’s really going on.

Here are the most common equalisation challenges and how to overcome them.

Struggling Around 8m

One of the first big walls for beginners happens around 8m. If you’re finding it tough here, chances are you’re using the Valsalva manoeuvre — great for scuba, but limited for freediving.

Switching to Frenzel makes equalisation much more efficient and allows you to keep going deeper.

Equalising Head-First

Going head-first on a line or free immersion dive? Gravity makes things tricky. If you struggle here, your soft palate is likely blocking airflow into your nasal cavity.

Tips to fix it:

• Relax your face and jaw as you descend

• Drop your tongue between equalisations so it doesn’t push the soft palate shut

• Try a tiny “sip of air” inhale with your nose pinched, then equalise — this can help open the soft palate

Ears Feeling “Sticky” After Repeated Dives

If your ears feel blocked mid-session, or stay that way for days, it’s often mistaken as “normal ear fatigue.” In reality, it’s usually mild barotrauma (barotitis media) caused by over-equalising.

Over-equalising means applying too much pressure, or waiting too long between equalisations.

✅ The solution: Make your equalisation as gentle as possible, and do it more often. Done properly, your ears won’t get “tired” - even over consecutive days of diving.

One Ear Harder Than the Other

Nearly every freediver has a “slower” ear. It’s normal, but here are some ways to deal with it:

• Equalise more frequently

• Don’t descend until that ear clears

• Wriggle your jaw while equalising

• Angle your slower ear toward the surface

• Use semi-constant or even constant pressure if needed

• Above all: don’t force it — blowing too hard causes inflammation and makes it worse

Progression: Reverse Packing

As you improve, you’ll eventually notice that equalisation gets harder at depth. This isn’t poor technique - it’s simply physics. With compressed lungs, there’s less air available to bring into your oral cavity.

At this stage, you’ll want to learn Reverse Packing (deep Frenzel), where you gently pull air from your lungs into your mouth to keep equalising deeper. This is taught in our Advanced Freediver course and is the natural next step once you’ve mastered Frenzel.

Wrapping Up

Equalisation problems are normal, but they’re not permanent. With the right awareness and techniques, you can fix sticky ears, stubborn sides, soft palate blocks, and progress to advanced skills like reverse packing.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Grab our Equalisation eBook (step-by-step solutions to every EQ problem).

Or join a Beginner or Advanced Freediving Course to master it in person.

Dive deeper, safer, and with confidence. 🌊