Frenzel Equalization: Complete Troubleshooting Guide
Equalization is the single biggest obstacle for new freedivers. You've taken your course, learned the theory, practiced on land—but when you're head-down in the water, nothing works. Your ears scream, you abort the dive, and frustration builds.
You're not alone. Every freediver has struggled with equalization at some point. The good news? Almost every equalization problem has a solution. This guide will help you diagnose exactly what's going wrong and give you specific fixes.
Try our interactive Equalization Troubleshooter to diagnose your specific equalization issues step-by-step.
Quick Diagnostic: The One-Ear vs Two-Ear Rule
Before diving into specific problems, here's the most important diagnostic principle:
Only ONE ear won't equalize → Usually a physiological issue with that specific ear
BOTH ears won't equalize → Usually a technique problem
This simple rule will save you hours of frustration. If you're having trouble with both ears, focus on technique. If it's consistently just one ear, you may need to see an ENT.
Understanding the Anatomy
To troubleshoot equalization, you need to understand the "doors" that control airflow:
The Four Doors of Equalization
1. The Glottis (Vocal Cords)
Located at your throat, near your Adam's apple
Controls airflow between your lungs and oral cavity
For Frenzel: Must be CLOSED (trapping air in your mouth)
2. The Soft Palate
The soft tissue at the back roof of your mouth
Two positions: Open (relaxed/neutral) or Closed (raised)
For Frenzel: Must be OPEN (allowing air to reach nasal cavity)
Stress and tension cause the soft palate to CLOSE, blocking equalization
3. The Nostrils
The only "static" door—you control it by pinching
For Frenzel: Must be CLOSED (pinched shut to prevent air escaping)
4. The Tongue
Creates "locks" (T, K, H positions) to compress air
Acts as a piston to push air into Eustachian tubes
For Frenzel: Creates pressure through upward movement
Valsalva vs Frenzel: Why It Matters
Many freedivers think they're doing Frenzel but are actually doing Valsalva. This distinction is critical because Valsalva has severe depth limitations.
The Quick Test
Put your hand on your stomach and equalize 5 times rapidly.
If your stomach clenches → You're doing Valsalva
If your stomach stays relaxed → You're doing Frenzel
Key Differences
Valsalva: Uses lungs (pushed by diaphragm), depth limit ~10-20m, high energy cost
Frenzel: Uses oral cavity only, depth limit ~30-40m, low energy cost, works head-down
If you're using Valsalva and wondering why you can't get past 10-15 meters, now you know. Your lungs are too compressed at depth to generate enough pressure. You MUST learn true Frenzel.
Problem 1: "I can equalize on land but not in water"
Likely causes:
Tension and anxiety raising your soft palate
Rushing to descend before proper breathe-up
Mask squeeze distracting from equalization
Cold water shock causing muscle tension
Solutions:
Extend your surface relaxation time before diving
Pre-equalize at the surface before your duck dive
Check your mask fit (should be low-volume, not too tight)
Do a gradual entry to acclimate to water temperature
Focus on exhaling and relaxing jaw, neck, and shoulders before diving
Key insight: The soft palate rises (closes) when you're stressed. If you can equalize calmly on land but not in water, tension is almost certainly the issue.
Problem 2: "I can equalize upright but not head-down"
This is one of the most common frustrations for new freedivers.
Likely causes:
Glottis opening when you invert (air escapes back to lungs)
Air flow changes due to gravity
Soft palate closing reflexively when inverted
Insufficient air charged in oral cavity before inverting
Solutions:
Start feet-first: Practice descending feet-first or at a 45° angle, gradually working toward vertical
Train inverted on land: Lie on your bed with your head hanging off the edge. Practice equalizing in this position
Use an EQ tool/Otovent while inverted: This builds muscle memory for the correct movements when upside down
Charge the "M" before inverting: Fill your cheeks with air before you duck dive
Problem 3: "I can only equalize to 10-15m, then it stops working"
If equalization works in shallow water but fails between 10-20 meters, you likely have one of two issues.
Likely cause #1: You're still using Valsalva
Do the stomach-clench test. If you're pushing from your diaphragm, your compressed lungs simply can't generate enough pressure at depth.
Likely cause #2: Not refilling oral cavity during descent
Even with proper Frenzel, the air in your mouth gets used up. You need to "drop tongue" to shift more air from lungs to mouth as you descend.
Likely cause #3: Descending too fast
If you're dropping faster than you can equalize, you'll hit a wall where equalization becomes impossible.
The math: In the first 10 meters, pressure doubles. This is where you need to equalize most aggressively. Many divers equalize enough in the first 5m but not enough between 5-15m.
Problem 4: "I feel pressure/pain before I can equalize"
If you're already feeling pain, you've waited too long.
The principle: Equalize BEFORE you feel pressure, not in response to it. By the time you feel discomfort, the pressure differential is already significant, making equalization harder.
Solutions:
Pre-equalize at surface: Before you even start descending, equalize 2-3 times
Keep hand on nose throughout descent: This allows instant access for equalizing
Equalize by depth, not sensation: Aim to equalize every 1 meter in shallow zone (top 10m)
Slow your duck dive: The initial descent is where most problems occur
Mantra: "If you feel it, you're already late."
Problem 5: "I hear crackling or squeaking sounds"
Unusual sounds during equalization indicate something is blocking the normal airflow.
Likely causes:
Mucus in Eustachian tubes
Inflammation from cold, allergies, or infection
Dehydration (thickens mucus)
Eustachian tube dysfunction
Solutions:
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and during dive days
Avoid dairy 24-48 hours before diving: Dairy increases mucus production
Use a neti pot or steam inhalation: Clears nasal passages before diving
DON'T use decongestants: These can wear off at depth, causing dangerous "reverse block"
Problem 6: "Only one ear equalizes"
When just one ear consistently fails, the cause is usually physiological rather than technique.
Likely causes:
Anatomical asymmetry (one Eustachian tube narrower)
Mucus blocking one side
Deviated septum
Previous ear injury or surgery
Solutions:
Tilt head toward problem ear during equalization
Move jaw forward and toward the opposite side of the problem ear
Wiggle jaw while attempting to equalize
More frequent, gentler equalizations (small pressure, many times vs. one big push
When to see a doctor: If one ear consistently fails despite these adjustments, an ENT can check for structural issues. This is not something to "push through"—you risk injury.
Problem 7: "I can't close my glottis"
Some people struggle to consciously control the glottis because it's not a muscle we typically think about.
Diagnostic test:
Inhale with your mouth open and tongue sticking out, then try to hold your breath without closing your mouth. If you can hold it, your glottis is closing.
Awareness exercises:
Make a "K" or "G" sound: Feel the back of your tongue rise and your throat close
Pretend to lift something very heavy: Notice how your throat closes (this is the glottis)
Exhale completely, then pull your diaphragm up: Feel the "hole" at your throat
Practice saying "Uh-oh": The pause between syllables is a glottis closure
Daily practice: Once you can feel your glottis, practice opening and closing it 50+ times per day until it becomes automatic.
Problem 8: "My soft palate closes when I try to equalize"
The soft palate is often the hidden culprit in equalization failure, especially when stress is involved.
Diagnostic test:
Pinch your nose, inflate your mouth with air, then release your nose. If air escapes through your nose, your soft palate is open. If no air escapes, it's closed.
The stress connection:
When you're anxious, tense, or uncomfortable, your soft palate naturally rises (closes). This is a reflex. If you can equalize when relaxed on land but not when stressed in water, this is likely your issue.
Solutions:
Prioritize relaxation: You literally cannot equalize when tense
Practice humming: Humming naturally keeps the soft palate open
Yawning motion: The end of a yawn opens the soft palate
Address the root stress: Are you nervous about depth? Worried about blackout? Deal with the underlying fear
Problem 9: "Equalization works day 1 but gets harder each day"
If you're diving multiple days in a row and equalization progressively worsens, you likely have Barotitis Media.
What is Barotitis Media?
Inflammation of the middle ear caused by repeated pressure trauma. Each time you equalize imperfectly, you create micro-trauma. Over multiple days, inflammation builds.
Signs:
Muffled hearing after diving
Feeling of water stuck in ear that won't drain
Progressive difficulty equalizing each day
Mild discomfort that persists after surfacing
Solutions:
Snort/clear your nose after EVERY dive: Clear accumulated mucus frequently
Take rest days: Don't dive every single day if you're having issues
Never force equalization: If it's not working, abort the dive
Allow full recovery: If you suspect Barotitis, take 2-3 days off
Problem 10: "I can't create enough pressure"
Some divers can perform all the movements but can't generate sufficient pressure to pop their ears.
Likely causes:
Glottis not fully closed (air leaking back to lungs)
Insufficient air in oral cavity
Tongue movement too weak
Soft palate closed (blocking nasal cavity)
Solutions:
Strengthen your tongue: Practice pressing it firmly against the roof of your mouth
Charge your cheeks: Fill your cheeks with air before equalizing
Use an EQ tool: Provides visual feedback on how much pressure you're generating
Ensure proper locks: The T-lock creates the tightest seal
Dry Training Protocol
Consistent dry practice is the fastest path to effortless equalization. This should be your daily routine:
Daily Practice (10-15 minutes)
Warm-up: Neck & Jaw Stretches (2 minutes) - Slow head tilts, jaw circles, neck rotations
Glottis Awareness (2 minutes) - Open and close glottis 20 times
Soft Palate Control (2 minutes) - Alternate breathing through nose only, then mouth only
Tongue Lock Practice (3 minutes) - T-lock, K-lock, H-lock: 30 reps each
Full Frenzel Practice (5 minutes) - Aim for 200 equalizations per day
The 200-Rep Rule
Equalization is a skill, not a talent. Freedivers who practice 200 dry equalizations per day progress dramatically faster than those who only practice in water. Make it a morning routine like brushing your teeth.
Training Tools
Otovent (~$20-30): Visual feedback on air movement via balloon. Best for beginners
EQ Tool (~$150-200): Digital pressure measurement. Best for intermediate divers
Mirror (Free): Visual feedback on jaw/cheek movement
For most freedivers struggling with equalization, an Otovent (available at pharmacies or Amazon) is the best first investment.
When to See an ENT Doctor
Not every equalization problem can be solved with technique. Seek medical evaluation if you have:
Chronic inability to equalize one ear despite correct technique
Persistent crackling or popping sounds unrelated to illness
Pain that continues for hours after surfacing
Any blood from ear or nose after diving
Hearing changes lasting more than 24 hours
History of ear surgery or tubes
The "Never Do" List
Never force equalization: If it won't work, stop and ascend. Forcing it causes trauma.
Never use decongestants before diving: Risk of reverse block when the medication wears off at depth.
Never continue diving after ear pain or injury: Rest and recover completely.
Never skip pre-equalization at surface: Always equalize before you start descending.
Never descend faster than you can equalize: Control your descent rate.
Diet and Lifestyle Factors
48 Hours Before Diving
Reduce or eliminate:
Dairy products (increase mucus production)
Alcohol (causes dehydration and inflammation)
Excessive caffeine (dehydrating)
Increase:
Water intake (stay well hydrated)
Anti-inflammatory foods (leafy greens, fish, turmeric)
Summary: The Troubleshooting Checklist
When equalization fails, work through this list:
Both ears or just one? (Physiological vs. technique)
Am I doing Frenzel or Valsalva? (Stomach clench test)
Is my glottis closed?
Is my soft palate open?
Am I tense? (Relax jaw, neck, shoulders)
Am I pre-equalizing before descent?
Am I equalizing early and often (every meter in first 10m)?
Is my descent speed controlled?
Am I hydrated?
Any illness, allergies, or congestion?
If you've checked all of these and still struggle, use our Equalization Troubleshooter or seek professional instruction.
Final Thoughts
Equalization is frustrating because it's invisible. You can't see the soft palate or glottis. You can't watch your Eustachian tubes open. You're learning to control muscles you never knew existed, in positions that aren't natural.
But here's the truth: equalization is a skill, not a gift. Every freediver who descends effortlessly to 30, 40, 50 meters struggled at some point. They did the dry practice. They learned from their failures. They didn't give up.
Neither should you.
The underwater world is waiting. Put in the work, be patient with yourself, and you'll get there.