Adam, you never knew what you have done to me recently, after I watched ur frenzel equalization video and tried it, and this video as well, I managed to frenzel equalise and couldn't believe of what I'm capable of. 3 years back I finished my open water scuba course, but it cost me an ear perforation just to go down 10 meters, and I almost gave up this sport, but ur frenzel equalization video opened a new chapter for me. all videos on TH-cam explain frenzel as if we are already professional, but yours was so simple to the extent that it worked and u can't believe how satisfied I am. Imagine I couldn't freedive head down for more than 2 meters, but after using frenzel I touched the seabed at 7 meter and I couldn't believe it Adam. Omg u changed my life. Million thanks bro. U r awesome.
As a scuba-diver who is used to descent head-up I never knew I am "one of these people". I just found out last week when I did the AIDA2 course at Dahab Freedivers with Diana Garcia Benito. This video (and Your other "Frenzel"-video) helped me overcome that problem and complete the course successfully. Many thanks from Germany!
Thank u adam .... U just conquered all the other freediving video on the web .... Really helpful and important information that are new even for someone has been diving for years like me ... I'm really looking forward for the sinuses video because i've some trouble with them .... And still u have promised us a video for recovery breathing... Don't forget ;) .... I'll never can thank u enough for what u do for us
thank you for bringing up the equalize issue again. Really wait for it to enlighten us (my hubby went to a doctor couple weeks ago having ear problem, big chance because of equalization). And indeed, diving is something to be learnt an entire life. cant wait for the next vid abt sinus
Hi Adam! been watching your videos for so long when i wanted to learn freedive. Now i m finally on an island to learn and just couldnt EQ. went 7 m on first day but the next day could equalise more than 4 ms(only my right ear). now watching your video on the rest/dry day. I will try to incorporate wht u r saying
Adam Freediver greetings from lebanon i always find your videoes to be helpful and simple and adress multiple levels of divers. thank you and keep up the good work!
I've always had trouble with free diving because of equalizing that I pretty much gave up on the sport. But I think I finally grasped the concept after watching your videos! I can't wait to try it again! Love your work! Keep it up!
This video is just for me!!! Feet first no problem, head first feels like everything is blocked. Thank you Adam for the video! I will definetely do the exercises and see if anything will improve.
Great video I have been trying to find a video with proper information on this I have sinus issues and this has answered all of my problems 🙏 subscribed.
I am really grateful for this video (and all the others actually). Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to share your knowlege/ experience with clarity and empathy ! I am following your instructions from now !
Great video as always! I've been having a problem with one ear after a few dives and you just helped me figure out why! Also I can't wait till tomorrow's video because after a while of diving my sinuses start to go a little crazy lol.
that's awesome bro! I have a confession....the next video might take a few days, my fiance has just surprised me with a weekend away so i'll pop it up early next week
it's getting bigger... :) This is actually one of my favorite videos from you because equalization-issues would prevent nearly everyone on the planet from diving in general. I get the info that it's highly important to relax but to join this "family" equalization is a big thing ... As a kid I always used to swim up because my ears hurt... with your help I'm able to equalize with more then one technique. So Thanks a lot for that Adam!
That soft palate thing is why I could never fkn clear my mask scuba diving! THANK YOU. Equalizing was fine but for actually exhaling through my nose underwater it'd take up to 20-30 little puffs because that's all I could get out at a time before it felt like my throat was closing up, and now I know why! Every scuba instructor and divemaster needs to know this. All of mine thought it was just me panicking but it kept happening even when I was calm, and none of them believed me. Now I know it's just my tongue being stupid and getting me into trouble which, knowing me, makes perfect sense 😋
So whenever I (scuba) dive I get issues equalizing my one ear while the other always does so immediately. I believe it is due to the one side having a stiff tube, as when I valsalva or frenzel I hear the one ear go but have to use a good amount of pressure to make the other go. I’ve always avoided doing this, as I thought you were supposed to valsalva very lightly. That being said, should I just combat this issue by doing the exercise in the video for 10 minutes a day gradually increasing the equalization pressure? It isn’t bad to use a good amount of pressure while doing the valsalva or the frenzel technique? I’m tired of spending 15 minutes trying to equalize when I could better use that time diving. Thanks!
I like watching ur videos and appreciate all the info u share with us, u have a unique and goofy (in a good way) style, which I adore . Even thou I would've loved 2 try out diving , I think I can't :'( I 4got I got vertigo nd was reminded sunday nd still being reminded, it sucks having the same symptoms every day 4 about a week or so. On another hand: That thumbnail is GORGEOUS looks like gymnastic underwater. Keep up the great work!!
Been trying to equalize for days now.. I can't do it. I hope i can do it tomorrow using your tips. Thanks! I also dive head down i will dive feet first now
Wasn't able to complete my freediving course due to not being able to equalise this past weekend :(. Tried feet first but no luck. One side always pops straight away while the other side just hisses and crackles. Will watch the frenzel video and practice and probably need to see and ENT doc. Hope I sort the problems out...
Hi Adam. The excercise you´re mentioning around 3:27- to practice for 10 minutes each day. Is there any risk of iritation of eustachian tube? My friend is having a hard time to equalize, can´t pass 5 m. Trying to help him. He tried to go slow, swollowing, pimping his frenzel, repositioning of head etc. didn´t help. I´m thinking to advice him to do the excercise for his eustachian tube you mentioned. Thanks for any suggestions.
Awesome video, full of innuendo, so was hilarious, Your videos are interesting, informative, exciting, helpful, funny and friendly, looking forward to seeing more, now if you can excuse me I must go and sort out my stiff pipe, 😮
A huge thing for me was using NeilMed the days before and after my dives. I also use ear drops after each dive to disinfect. I had a really bad sinus pain when I was on a dive that persisted for a good week. NeilMed fixed my problem in a couple of days. I always thought squeaking was normal. This is really annoying when you're a spearo. Sinus problem can get really bad and require surgery if left untreated. I have heard some horror stories. Make sure to equalize frequently. Don't wait until you feel pressure or pain!
thanks buddy! I forgot to put it in the description hahaha but I added this now: -8 day freediving course with myself and Alexey Molchanov: When: 4th - 11th of November 2017 Where: Bali, Indonesia. In a little town called Amed How much: $890 Australian Dollars Contact me if you have questions, for more information or to book! adam.thomas.stern@gmail.com
I have the worst ears. With my freediving I focus more on breath hold than depth because my ears just never equalize. I had tubes when I was a kid. I get ear infections really easily.
Left ear can equalize easily with frenzel or valsalva. Right ear easily opens through hands free eq. Ang tips to equalize both ears using one technique only?
You mentioned information on a free diving course in the description but I couldn't find it in there. I'm extremely interested in taking this course. Please help!
haha i forgot to put the info in the description haha here is it though: -8 day freediving course with myself and Alexey Molchanov: When: 4th - 11th of November 2017 Where: Bali, Indonesia. In a little town called Amed How much: $890 Australian Dollars Contact me if you have questions, for more information or to book! adam.thomas.stern@gmail.com and I think your ENTs are right
Thank you for the very useful video :) I never had problems equalising but the video is quite informative. It'd be great if you can talk a little about BTV equalisation in a future video :) THANKS!
Hi Adam, could you tell how to equalise the mask? If I am pinching the nose I do not equalise the mask doing so is it correct? Thank you for you videos, I just started and having difficulties to equalise head down, trying frenzel as well but for now it feels too weak to open my middle ear (my left ear equalises with long hiss underwater, guess I need lots of equalising practice)...
Thank you so much for your fantastic video, I learned so many things. Big fan of your channel. However, I still have problem of Head down equalization. I have tried hum "N" sound as you suggested, but most of the time it was not working. When I dive feet down or at angle, I can equalize easily. But when I tried head down, 95% of the time, I can't. I tried everything, wiggle my jaw, move my jaw forward, swallow, tuck my chin to my chest, Move my head side by side, Hum "N" nothing seems to work. I practiced so many times. in the pool and in the sea, almost give up. Maybe I can't do it head first? Could you please give me some advice?
Hi Adam I know this maybe an old video but love watching all your stuff and thought I'd pitch in. To pronounce the word "Eustachian" correctly you actually say it like this "you-station" tube hope that helps pal and great content thank you for sharing!
Hey Adam, I love your videos. Could you upload a tutorial showing how to breath before and after a dive? and I would also like to know what kind of equipament is likely to be used in freediving, apart from the googles and the fins
The equipment video is definitely coming :) but i have made a video already about how to breathe before a dive. Have a look through the videos at my channel :)
hmmm...is it possible that you're continuing to equalise and push air into your ears as you ascend because a reverse block is almost always a mucus blockage
most of the times when a reverse block is occurred , I try to requalise (try to get the air out of my ears by doing the reverse of valsava) and I am just fine. is there any I can possibly avoid doing that?
if i want to increase my breath holding ability, should i practice holding it while im just chillin in bed relaxing or should i be practicing while im walking around and doing stuff?
I'm just learning to swim and have learned to float on stomach but now when i have to learn to float on my back, the water gets in lungs and nose - should I do the nose hold which you show here or should I do something different? Thank you for the video.
for simple floating it's best to stick with what your swimming instructors are teaching you :) after you learn to swim then you can learn to freedive :)
Adam, I'm having a lot of trouble equalizing my right ear. The left one is just fine, both with Frenzel and Valsalva. The right one, at best, just crackles. I really have no mucus issues or congested sinuses. I don't know the cause of the problem. I would appreciate your help a lot!
Gabriel Solano hey sounds like it could be tight? But it's hard to say through the Internet. Try just equalising more often to get more air movement through the tubes
Hello Submerged Community, I still have the problem that at an angle slightly more than about 45° the equalization simply stalls and I have to raise my head just a bit and then it works just fine. It really doesn´t look like a the problem is related to my technique. Any hints what could help to fix this. It would mean a big leap for me to waste less energy and stay down much longer cause it always takes a bit time and oxygen to turn up, equalize and go back down again, although I got used to do that after quite some years diving. Thank you so much for your help!
Adam, what's the goal of the 5 compensations exercise, more precisely? Is it suppose to help your eustachian tubes to get more linear? More elastic? Or is it just to get used to having the soft palate in neutral position and the eustachian tubes open?
hey Ahmed are you able to come to Bali in November? here are the details of the course i'm running there: -8 day freediving course with myself and Alexey Molchanov: When: 4th - 11th of November 2017 Where: Bali, Indonesia. In a little town called Amed How much: $890 Australian Dollars Contact me if you have questions, for more information or to book! adam.thomas.stern@gmail.com
Hi Adam. Thanks for your video. I really really want to solve equalization problem but haven't figured out yet, couldn't even follow the balloon practice you mentioned in this video. Whenever I try to move the air from the balloon to nose through mouth, I just can't help but swallowing the air.... and if I try not to swallow the air it just stuck in my mouth... :( Can you give me some advices??
I'm not sure exactly what the problem is? Are you able to equalise or are you just struggling with this exercise? it would be better if you replied to my facebook because it's hard to keep up with comments here :)
@@AdamFreediver Hi Adam. Thanks a lot but sorry I don't do facebook. (It is totally ok for me not to feedback for me) The main problem is #1. I can't equalise when my head is down towards to water(even valsalva method does not work). I can equalise totally fine when my head is toward surface. This is the main reason I was looking for some help. Anyway I thought there could be another way of solving my problem and frenzel method was the one. Eventually I found your clips and decided to learn frenzel by following up your instruction step by step. #2. I can't follow up your balloon excercise correctly. I am sure that I learned how to shut epiglottis. However, whenever I try to move the air from my mouth to my nose while epiglottis is shut, it just stuck at my mouth and does not move. I could feel the air goes through my nose when only epiglottis is open. I have been trying for over a week and still have no idea ha~ha... could you give my any more hint or advice regarding what I am doing wrong?
Hey Adam, not sure if you'll see this but if you, or anyone can help it'd be great! I've been practicing frenzel equalising for a couple weeks and yesterday I tried freediving for the first time only to find that frenzel didn't work. So I had to switch the valsalva and even then I had a problem in my left ear that took 10x longer to equalize. I could only reach about 3 meters. My frenzel I've been told is quite weak. Should I just keep practicing it every day until it gets stronger or is there something I might be missing?
Adam, you mentioned equalizing the mask. Is there something specific I am not doing? Or am I doing it intuitively without noticing? I never knew equalizing the mask was a thing. Sometimes as I am diving, the gas in the mask will force its way into my sinuses. I notice this especially when I loosen the soft palate and relax. Usually happens around 15 to 30 feet. I dont have a vehicle to get me to deeper water, so I cant really experiment farther. Any tips/recommendations?
Adam Freediver, thank you. I kinda do that now but it isn't planned if that makes sense.. I appreciate the response, I'm going diving today at 30ft so I can practice
I keep watching your videos over and over again. They are just awesome. Keep it up! I just have one question: i seem to have my left ear difficult to equalize. My right one is fine. Sometimes when i tilt my head to the right side i am able to equalize my left one, but never both at the same time. What can I do? Practice the 5 time equalization? Is it a problem if i have a deviated septum? Thanks, mate!
Adam Freediver Yes, Adam. Most of the times I sleep with my left ear on the pillow. Do you know how to drain the mucus that might be inside the middle ear? Or what do you recommend me to do in this case? I super appreciate your response and your good vibes. Cheers!
So question i have air coming out of my ears when i blow too hard does anyone know why or if its even normal. I call it my party trick with pools but its literal bubbles escaping my ears
Hello can anyone tell my why i cant equalize pressure when im turned upside down? It feels like the blood pumping into my head is stoping it. Please help?!
Hi Adam, I've practiced Frenzel but still fell that I am losing energy by using my tongue as piston. What's the problem? Why I feel it is not so effective.
if you feel like you're losing energy by using the tongue like a piston i'd say it's mostly in your head. It is such a tiny movement that it doesn't consume much energy. I'd say you need to shift your focus onto doing it more gently and focus on your relaxation :)
Does swallow and yawn type equalisation work? This is a good method? I hear a really good pop under water and above water but when I try the nose squeeze I hear a little whine/wistle instead of a pop. Please reply
Hi Adam, Recently I finished my W1 course. During decent after 9-10m deep I had difficulty to equalize almost I felt no air to push anymore internally. During your video you mentioned equalize mask too. How canI do this when pinching my nose?
Hi Adam, I’ve been having a lot of problems with my equalising. All the normal methods inc the valsava don’t seem to work. Maybe only 5% of the time I can equalise with valsava, but weirdly if I swallow with my nose pinched it will equalise 99% of the time. Are there any issues with using my alternative method, or any reason why you can think that I can’t equalise with valsava or the other methods? I’ve tried the usual, movine my jaw, head etc. Thanks!
Hey Alex, so it sounds like what you have going on is a soft palate problem. When you're attempting to Valsalva or Frenzel you're most likely holding your soft palate in a position that closes it against the back on your throat and doesn't allow air into your nasal cavity. This can be a tricky problem because you'll always want to revert back to doing what feels natural for your body but what feels natural is stopping you from equalising! haha so try doing some nice and relaxed exhales out of your nose and then without changing the position of your tongue, jaw or throat just pinch your nose. Try this a lot until you can do it without closing the soft palate. It's also best to do it in a mirror so you can see if you move anything
Hey Adam! I am a new subscriber to ur channel and i find it really informative and clear even for complete beginner (like me xD) I have 2 problems with equalization : 1- my two ears never equalize at the same time it's always the left then the right which needs more effort and around 40% of my dives i fail to equalize my right ear which forces me to abort the dive. 2-when equalizing my ears do not make a "pop" sound they make a squeeky (bsssss) voice .. i heard you mention it in this video and i do not get if it is wrong or what ? thanks again for your videos
thanks so much Mostafa. Well what you're describing is fairly normal for a beginner diver. It seems like you have tight Eustachian tubes. You can increase their flexibility naturally just by doing the 5 x equalisation exercise that I describe in this video :)
Paul Wilvern Casonete just make sure you stay hydrated and perhaps stretch your legs a little before you dive. If you get cramps while you're diving you'll need to stretch your legs out in the water
Hey man! I’ve been doing your exercises like crazy! But unfortunately I couldn’t get to equalize head down in my AIDA 2 STARS course, so the school put my certification on hold. Since I didn’t reach the 16 meters requisite. :( I managed to go down 12meters but with my head up and equalized my ears perfectly. I’m so sad and frustrated. I don’t know if you could do another video with more insight about this problem. 🙏🏼 you rock!
Hey Adam, ive been watching about most of your vids on your channel and im really impressed with your attitude and mindset towards life and diving. One question that might have been asked already but cant seem to find it. What camera do you use to film the underwater shots? Cheers and greetings from Belgium !
Okay, this might be controversial but... Pipin Ferreras likes to allow his sinuses to get flooded. He says this practically eliminates the need to equalize by removing the air. What’s your take?
Hey Adam I can equalize my ears and my static breath is good but when i get down around 30 feet my lungs get very uncomfortable and i lose all breath that i had until i come up few feet wear that breath is returned. What is going on here?
Hey matt :) most likely this is because you're becoming tense around your torso as you get to these depths. Try to focus on a physical relaxation in your chest area on your next dives :)
Adam Freediver i haven't practiced at all. I dove down at work to get a customers phone (i work on a lake). Is this just something i need to practice alot?
Hi Adam, I've tried the exercises (It works fine), but I found out that the 5th one (the strongest), I somehow produce the sound. I doubt it could be the leakage through the glottis since it is easiest path for the air to escape. Then, I tried my frenzel in the sea down to 20m. For Feet-down, it works all the time. For Head-down, I f found out that 70% of the time, one of the ear get blocked in the first 5-7m even if I frenzel hard to enough to produce sound of the leakage. - I don't know if the sound leakage I heard is really from the glottis. could It be from the Sinus ? ( Maybe, I could be from somewhere else. I had a sinus issues when I was a kid. Even now, I can only do full-breath only from 1 side of the nose, the other I feel uncomfortable. - Have you ever found anyone got the sound produced during the frenzel EQ before ? I would like to know if this is normal if we are doing a strong push during frenzel or this is not normal. Thanks,.
I am freediving beginner, can swim 50 meters in the pool, make 2 minutes static in a pool but couldn't reach 10 meters depth in the course :( up to 6 meters was fine I could equalize pressure but after 6 meters I couldn't do it...felt pain in my ears, sinus and when I forced it even in my tooth O_o I love diving, totally love depth but I am scarry to hear that I can't reach more than 6 meters because of my biology or something :( It would be a nightmare...
It was named for someone whose last name was roughly pronounced You-stay-key (Eustachi). I mix it up between "Eustakian" and "eustacian" tube all the time as either are acceptable
Adam, you never knew what you have done to me recently, after I watched ur frenzel equalization video and tried it, and this video as well, I managed to frenzel equalise and couldn't believe of what I'm capable of. 3 years back I finished my open water scuba course, but it cost me an ear perforation just to go down 10 meters, and I almost gave up this sport, but ur frenzel equalization video opened a new chapter for me. all videos on TH-cam explain frenzel as if we are already professional, but yours was so simple to the extent that it worked and u can't believe how satisfied I am. Imagine I couldn't freedive head down for more than 2 meters, but after using frenzel I touched the seabed at 7 meter and I couldn't believe it Adam. Omg u changed my life. Million thanks bro. U r awesome.
oh my friend! I'm so happy to hear that! this makes me so so happy- the freediving family has just gotten bigger :)
Will never stop coming back to this video when I get a challenging student !!
Cheers Adam
Thanks Guy :) So happy it's helpful!
the NNNNNN sound method really helps!!! thanks for letting me find out my soft palate!!
As a scuba-diver who is used to descent head-up I never knew I am "one of these people". I just found out last week when I did the AIDA2 course at Dahab Freedivers with Diana Garcia Benito. This video (and Your other "Frenzel"-video) helped me overcome that problem and complete the course successfully. Many thanks from Germany!
Thank u adam .... U just conquered all the other freediving video on the web .... Really helpful and important information that are new even for someone has been diving for years like me ... I'm really looking forward for the sinuses video because i've some trouble with them .... And still u have promised us a video for recovery breathing... Don't forget ;) .... I'll never can thank u enough for what u do for us
thanks so much Sam! haha the recovery breathing video is coming! thank you again :)
You are a life saver. I just figured out after having problems to equalise for 5 years that I have been doing it wrong all along...
wht did u do
thanks adams, god bless you ,we are so lucy having your support
thank you so much!
A wonderful video and entertaining as usual (your sense of humor is a blessing)!
thank you for bringing up the equalize issue again. Really wait for it to enlighten us (my hubby went to a doctor couple weeks ago having ear problem, big chance because of equalization). And indeed, diving is something to be learnt an entire life. cant wait for the next vid abt sinus
maria intan josi thanks so much Maria!
Been having trouble equalizing upside down and humming the N sound changed everything!! Great video and great info !!
Hi Adam! been watching your videos for so long when i wanted to learn freedive. Now i m finally on an island to learn and just couldnt EQ. went 7 m on first day but the next day could equalise more than 4 ms(only my right ear). now watching your video on the rest/dry day. I will try to incorporate wht u r saying
Will a green shyny wetsuit help me equalise?
Maher oeidat duhhhh
Maher oeidat 👌🏻
hahaha yes!
Adam Freediver greetings from lebanon i always find your videoes to be helpful and simple and adress multiple levels of divers.
thank you and keep up the good work!
I've always had trouble with free diving because of equalizing that I pretty much gave up on the sport.
But I think I finally grasped the concept after watching your videos!
I can't wait to try it again!
Love your work! Keep it up!
that's so good to hear!!! thank you :)
This video is just for me!!! Feet first no problem, head first feels like everything is blocked. Thank you Adam for the video! I will definetely do the exercises and see if anything will improve.
fantastic! keep at it and you will be diving in no time!
Any update sir Tianrui?
Great video I have been trying to find a video with proper information on this I have sinus issues and this has answered all of my problems 🙏 subscribed.
ah that's awesome! stoked that I could help out :)
Hi Adam, tremendous help over the head down problems I'm having... Thanks
I'm so happy to hear that! thank you :)
I am really grateful for this video (and all the others actually). Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to share your knowlege/ experience with clarity and empathy ! I am following your instructions from now !
thank you so much Sarah! I'm just so happy that you're finding them helpful :)
Great video as always! I've been having a problem with one ear after a few dives and you just helped me figure out why! Also I can't wait till tomorrow's video because after a while of diving my sinuses start to go a little crazy lol.
that's awesome bro! I have a confession....the next video might take a few days, my fiance has just surprised me with a weekend away so i'll pop it up early next week
Hey man that's totally fine! I don't think anyone here will hold you against that 😂. I mean who doesn't like surprises?
Very nice video, by far the most detailed on TH-cam (from a fellow Adam)
Omni Reef thanks so much 😊 good name by the way
Very informative thank you
very welcome :)
Thanks Adam for this video! Waiting for your next video about Sinus. :)
Thank you! It'll be going up tomorrow :)
this vid is exactly what i needed thanks
very very welcome!
very helpful thank you Adam
Glad to help bro!
Another amazing video!! Can’t wait to try this out 🙌🙌
Thanks bro :) always stoked to help
it's getting bigger... :) This is actually one of my favorite videos from you because equalization-issues would prevent nearly everyone on the planet from diving in general. I get the info that it's highly important to relax but to join this "family" equalization is a big thing ... As a kid I always used to swim up because my ears hurt... with your help I'm able to equalize with more then one technique. So Thanks a lot for that Adam!
thank you Roger! You're so right :) It's absolutely essential to diving :)
That soft palate thing is why I could never fkn clear my mask scuba diving! THANK YOU. Equalizing was fine but for actually exhaling through my nose underwater it'd take up to 20-30 little puffs because that's all I could get out at a time before it felt like my throat was closing up, and now I know why!
Every scuba instructor and divemaster needs to know this. All of mine thought it was just me panicking but it kept happening even when I was calm, and none of them believed me. Now I know it's just my tongue being stupid and getting me into trouble which, knowing me, makes perfect sense 😋
So whenever I (scuba) dive I get issues equalizing my one ear while the other always does so immediately. I believe it is due to the one side having a stiff tube, as when I valsalva or frenzel I hear the one ear go but have to use a good amount of pressure to make the other go. I’ve always avoided doing this, as I thought you were supposed to valsalva very lightly. That being said, should I just combat this issue by doing the exercise in the video for 10 minutes a day gradually increasing the equalization pressure? It isn’t bad to use a good amount of pressure while doing the valsalva or the frenzel technique? I’m tired of spending 15 minutes trying to equalize when I could better use that time diving. Thanks!
Thank you for the video Adam!
Very welcome Billy!
Great vid as always Ad, looking forward to tomorrow's video. Keep up the good work ^^
thanks Dan. The next video may take a few days haha turns out i'm getting whisked away for the weekend by my fiance
I like watching ur videos and appreciate all the info u share with us, u have a unique and goofy (in a good way) style, which I adore . Even thou I would've loved 2 try out diving , I think I can't :'( I 4got I got vertigo nd was reminded sunday nd still being reminded, it sucks having the same symptoms every day 4 about a week or so. On another hand: That thumbnail is GORGEOUS looks like gymnastic underwater. Keep up the great work!!
thank you so so much! I'm sorry about your vertigo- that might be dangerous in the water but I hope you get past it all and can dive! :)
Perfect camera angle! ;) and as always great video!!
hahahah thank you!!! you're a big help :)
Very interesting, as usual. Thanks!
Been trying to equalize for days now.. I can't do it. I hope i can do it tomorrow using your tips. Thanks! I also dive head down i will dive feet first now
Wasn't able to complete my freediving course due to not being able to equalise this past weekend :(.
Tried feet first but no luck. One side always pops straight away while the other side just hisses and crackles.
Will watch the frenzel video and practice and probably need to see and ENT doc.
Hope I sort the problems out...
Hi Adam. The excercise you´re mentioning around 3:27- to practice for 10 minutes each day. Is there any risk of iritation of eustachian tube? My friend is having a hard time to equalize, can´t pass 5 m. Trying to help him. He tried to go slow, swollowing, pimping his frenzel, repositioning of head etc. didn´t help. I´m thinking to advice him to do the excercise for his eustachian tube you mentioned. Thanks for any suggestions.
10:43 Balloon simulation exercise
11:47 Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn sound
Thanks Adam 🙏
very welcome :)
Awesome video, full of innuendo, so was hilarious,
Your videos are interesting, informative, exciting, helpful, funny and friendly, looking forward to seeing more, now if you can excuse me I must go and sort out my stiff pipe, 😮
hahahaha thanks to so much bro :) very much appreciated!
Love your videos. Thanks Adam ;)
thanks so much! glad you enjoy them!
A huge thing for me was using NeilMed the days before and after my dives. I also use ear drops after each dive to disinfect. I had a really bad sinus pain when I was on a dive that persisted for a good week. NeilMed fixed my problem in a couple of days. I always thought squeaking was normal. This is really annoying when you're a spearo. Sinus problem can get really bad and require surgery if left untreated. I have heard some horror stories. Make sure to equalize frequently. Don't wait until you feel pressure or pain!
Solid advice! thank you :)
Hi adam! Awesome video again!
Where can I find more info about that camp in Bali in November?
thanks buddy! I forgot to put it in the description hahaha but I added this now:
-8 day freediving course with myself and Alexey Molchanov:
When: 4th - 11th of November 2017
Where: Bali, Indonesia. In a little town called Amed
How much: $890 Australian Dollars
Contact me if you have questions, for more information or to book! adam.thomas.stern@gmail.com
Great video! Finally managed with the "N" sound! :)
yes! that's because you're awesome
thank you for your great video Adam :)
Mijan Juzt very very welcome!
I have the worst ears. With my freediving I focus more on breath hold than depth because my ears just never equalize. I had tubes when I was a kid. I get ear infections really easily.
ah that sucks....have you looked at doing exercises to increase the elasticity of your tubes?
Very nice, Adam. Thanks. But you just couldn't resist the Green Flash, could you!
hahahah I never can
dude you are a genius haha I wish I watched this earlier.. also love the little side jokes you say!
haha thank you :) i'm just stoked it was helpful
I'm able to frenzel while humming the letter n, but there's tension in my diaphragm, am I just activating the valsalva?
thanks for this video ! do you practice btv ? can you make a tutorial ? thanks !
very welcome :) I do use BTV and that video will definitely be coming
Are the equalizations that you do to flex your tubes franzel or Valsava?
either are fine :)
Left ear can equalize easily with frenzel or valsalva. Right ear easily opens through hands free eq. Ang tips to equalize both ears using one technique only?
You mentioned information on a free diving course in the description but I couldn't find it in there. I'm extremely interested in taking this course. Please help!
haha i forgot to put the info in the description haha here is it though:
-8 day freediving course with myself and Alexey Molchanov:
When: 4th - 11th of November 2017
Where: Bali, Indonesia. In a little town called Amed
How much: $890 Australian Dollars
Contact me if you have questions, for more information or to book! adam.thomas.stern@gmail.com
and I think your ENTs are right
When are you going to Philippines to train someone like me?
Thank you for the very useful video :) I never had problems equalising but the video is quite informative.
It'd be great if you can talk a little about BTV equalisation in a future video :) THANKS!
thanks Mohamed :) that video is coming :)
Awesome! :)
Hi Adam, could you tell how to equalise the mask? If I am pinching the nose I do not equalise the mask doing so is it correct? Thank you for you videos, I just started and having difficulties to equalise head down, trying frenzel as well but for now it feels too weak to open my middle ear (my left ear equalises with long hiss underwater, guess I need lots of equalising practice)...
Hey Alex to equalise the mask you just frenzel equalise without pinching the nose and the air will go into the mask :)
God bless u.. Thanks guru..
you're so welcome!
Thank you so much for your fantastic video, I learned so many things. Big fan of your channel. However, I still have problem of Head down equalization. I have tried hum "N" sound as you suggested, but most of the time it was not working. When I dive feet down or at angle, I can equalize easily. But when I tried head down, 95% of the time, I can't. I tried everything, wiggle my jaw, move my jaw forward, swallow, tuck my chin to my chest, Move my head side by side, Hum "N" nothing seems to work.
I practiced so many times. in the pool and in the sea, almost give up. Maybe I can't do it head first? Could you please give me some advice?
love these videos
Hi Adam I know this maybe an old video but love watching all your stuff and thought I'd pitch in. To pronounce the word "Eustachian" correctly you actually say it like this "you-station" tube hope that helps pal and great content thank you for sharing!
thanks buddy!
Have you done a video on when to equalize? Because personally i equalize too late sometimes so i have to come up and rest for about 5 mins
I havent done a video specifically on when to equalise but basically you need to equalise before you feel any pressure building up in your ears
Oh ok thanks
Hey Adam, I love your videos.
Could you upload a tutorial showing how to breath before and after a dive? and I would also like to know what kind of equipament is likely to be used in freediving, apart from the googles and the fins
The equipment video is definitely coming :) but i have made a video already about how to breathe before a dive. Have a look through the videos at my channel :)
I can equalise without hands(btv), but when I ascent a reverse block is occurred. what should I do?
hmmm...is it possible that you're continuing to equalise and push air into your ears as you ascend because a reverse block is almost always a mucus blockage
thanks a lot!
most of the times when a reverse block is occurred , I try to requalise (try to get the air out of my ears by doing the reverse of valsava) and I am just fine. is there any I can possibly avoid doing that?
if i want to increase my breath holding ability, should i practice holding it while im just chillin in bed relaxing or should i be practicing while im walking around and doing stuff?
my friend have a look at my how to hold your breath longer video and it will answer this question perfectly :)
I'm just learning to swim and have learned to float on stomach but now when i have to learn to float on my back, the water gets in lungs and nose - should I do the nose hold which you show here or should I do something different? Thank you for the video.
for simple floating it's best to stick with what your swimming instructors are teaching you :) after you learn to swim then you can learn to freedive :)
ok - thank you for the reply.
Love and respect.
thank you :)
Adam, I'm having a lot of trouble equalizing my right ear. The left one is just fine, both with Frenzel and Valsalva. The right one, at best, just crackles. I really have no mucus issues or congested sinuses. I don't know the cause of the problem. I would appreciate your help a lot!
Gabriel Solano hey sounds like it could be tight? But it's hard to say through the Internet. Try just equalising more often to get more air movement through the tubes
Super helpful!!! :)
Hello Submerged Community,
I still have the problem that at an angle slightly more than about 45° the equalization simply stalls and I have to raise my head just a bit and then it works just fine. It really doesn´t look like a the problem is related to my technique.
Any hints what could help to fix this. It would mean a big leap for me to waste less energy and stay down much longer cause it always takes a bit time and oxygen to turn up, equalize and go back down again, although I got used to do that after quite some years diving.
Thank you so much for your help!
Adam, what's the goal of the 5 compensations exercise, more precisely? Is it suppose to help your eustachian tubes to get more linear? More elastic? Or is it just to get used to having the soft palate in neutral position and the eustachian tubes open?
to have the soft palate in a neutral position and to increase elasticity :)
Hi Adam
I would like to do level 2 course. I haven't done any official training. I can dive to 25m.
How can we do this?
hey Ahmed are you able to come to Bali in November? here are the details of the course i'm running there:
-8 day freediving course with myself and Alexey Molchanov:
When: 4th - 11th of November 2017
Where: Bali, Indonesia. In a little town called Amed
How much: $890 Australian Dollars
Contact me if you have questions, for more information or to book! adam.thomas.stern@gmail.com
is it normal to hear clicking/bubbling sounds from the tubes when doing the routine of 5 consecutive equalising?
Xuchilbara that would suggest that you have some mucus in your tubes or they may be infected or swollen
Adam Freediver This also happem to me. is it bad? how should I avoid this happen?
Hi Adam. Thanks for your video. I really really want to solve equalization problem but haven't figured out yet, couldn't even follow the balloon practice you mentioned in this video. Whenever I try to move the air from the balloon to nose through mouth, I just can't help but swallowing the air.... and if I try not to swallow the air it just stuck in my mouth... :( Can you give me some advices??
I'm not sure exactly what the problem is? Are you able to equalise or are you just struggling with this exercise? it would be better if you replied to my facebook because it's hard to keep up with comments here :)
@@AdamFreediver Hi Adam. Thanks a lot but sorry I don't do facebook. (It is totally ok for me not to feedback for me) The main problem is #1. I can't equalise when my head is down towards to water(even valsalva method does not work). I can equalise totally fine when my head is toward surface. This is the main reason I was looking for some help. Anyway I thought there could be another way of solving my problem and frenzel method was the one. Eventually I found your clips and decided to learn frenzel by following up your instruction step by step. #2. I can't follow up your balloon excercise correctly. I am sure that I learned how to shut epiglottis. However, whenever I try to move the air from my mouth to my nose while epiglottis is shut, it just stuck at my mouth and does not move. I could feel the air goes through my nose when only epiglottis is open. I have been trying for over a week and still have no idea ha~ha... could you give my any more hint or advice regarding what I am doing wrong?
Awesome thanks!
welcome!
Hey Adam, not sure if you'll see this but if you, or anyone can help it'd be great! I've been practicing frenzel equalising for a couple weeks and yesterday I tried freediving for the first time only to find that frenzel didn't work. So I had to switch the valsalva and even then I had a problem in my left ear that took 10x longer to equalize. I could only reach about 3 meters.
My frenzel I've been told is quite weak. Should I just keep practicing it every day until it gets stronger or is there something I might be missing?
"You are all disgusting." killed me :-DDD such a beautiful serious delivery
Adam, you mentioned equalizing the mask. Is there something specific I am not doing? Or am I doing it intuitively without noticing? I never knew equalizing the mask was a thing.
Sometimes as I am diving, the gas in the mask will force its way into my sinuses. I notice this especially when I loosen the soft palate and relax. Usually happens around 15 to 30 feet. I dont have a vehicle to get me to deeper water, so I cant really experiment farther. Any tips/recommendations?
basically all you have to do is exhale into the mask as you descend. usually every 3-5 metres it needs to be done :)
Adam Freediver, thank you. I kinda do that now but it isn't planned if that makes sense.. I appreciate the response, I'm going diving today at 30ft so I can practice
Turns out i just needed to relax and equalize more often i maniged to dive 6m for the first time few days ago
Well done Marko!!! Relaxing and equalising more often should make a huge difference! Happy diving!
you are amazing !
I keep watching your videos over and over again. They are just awesome. Keep it up! I just have one question: i seem to have my left ear difficult to equalize. My right one is fine. Sometimes when i tilt my head to the right side i am able to equalize my left one, but never both at the same time. What can I do? Practice the 5 time equalization? Is it a problem if i have a deviated septum? Thanks, mate!
Do you sleep so that your left ear is always on the pillow? are you sleeping in a position that lets mucus drain into the ear?
Adam Freediver Yes, Adam. Most of the times I sleep with my left ear on the pillow. Do you know how to drain the mucus that might be inside the middle ear? Or what do you recommend me to do in this case? I super appreciate your response and your good vibes. Cheers!
So question i have air coming out of my ears when i blow too hard does anyone know why or if its even normal. I call it my party trick with pools but its literal bubbles escaping my ears
Hello can anyone tell my why i cant equalize pressure when im turned upside down? It feels like the blood pumping into my head is stoping it. Please help?!
Hi Adam,
I've practiced Frenzel but still fell that I am losing energy by using my tongue as piston.
What's the problem? Why I feel it is not so effective.
if you feel like you're losing energy by using the tongue like a piston i'd say it's mostly in your head. It is such a tiny movement that it doesn't consume much energy. I'd say you need to shift your focus onto doing it more gently and focus on your relaxation :)
Does swallow and yawn type equalisation work? This is a good method? I hear a really good pop under water and above water but when I try the nose squeeze I hear a little whine/wistle instead of a pop. Please reply
Hi Adam, Recently I finished my W1 course. During decent after 9-10m deep I had difficulty to equalize almost I felt no air to push anymore internally. During your video you mentioned equalize mask too. How canI do this when pinching my nose?
Hi Adam, I’ve been having a lot of problems with my equalising. All the normal methods inc the valsava don’t seem to work. Maybe only 5% of the time I can equalise with valsava, but weirdly if I swallow with my nose pinched it will equalise 99% of the time. Are there any issues with using my alternative method, or any reason why you can think that I can’t equalise with valsava or the other methods? I’ve tried the usual, movine my jaw, head etc. Thanks!
Hey Alex, so it sounds like what you have going on is a soft palate problem. When you're attempting to Valsalva or Frenzel you're most likely holding your soft palate in a position that closes it against the back on your throat and doesn't allow air into your nasal cavity. This can be a tricky problem because you'll always want to revert back to doing what feels natural for your body but what feels natural is stopping you from equalising! haha so try doing some nice and relaxed exhales out of your nose and then without changing the position of your tongue, jaw or throat just pinch your nose. Try this a lot until you can do it without closing the soft palate. It's also best to do it in a mirror so you can see if you move anything
Im pretty sure its you-station for eustachian tube. IDK that one always baffled me too :)
hahahaha I think so too but i've just heard so many versions now haha
I looked it up and we were right! haha
RC pi boom! Fist bump
So i can frenzel equalize, but i feel air coming out of the corner of my eye, is this normal? Can i fix it?
Hey Adam! I am a new subscriber to ur channel and i find it really informative and clear even for complete beginner (like me xD)
I have 2 problems with equalization :
1- my two ears never equalize at the same time it's always the left then the right which needs more effort and around 40% of my dives i fail to equalize my right ear which forces me to abort the dive.
2-when equalizing my ears do not make a "pop" sound they make a squeeky (bsssss) voice .. i heard you mention it in this video and i do not get if it is wrong or what ?
thanks again for your videos
thanks so much Mostafa. Well what you're describing is fairly normal for a beginner diver. It seems like you have tight Eustachian tubes. You can increase their flexibility naturally just by doing the 5 x equalisation exercise that I describe in this video :)
Hi free-diving family, i wanna ask if how you deal with cramps while deep diving? thanks.
Paul Wilvern Casonete in your calves?
Paul Wilvern Casonete just make sure you stay hydrated and perhaps stretch your legs a little before you dive. If you get cramps while you're diving you'll need to stretch your legs out in the water
Adam Freediver thanks adam! hope to see you in diving in Philippine water 😊
Erin Leach yes dear. it troubles me but i guess "never panic" helps a lot.
Hey Adam! I tried your method but i still cant seem to equalize with my head down. Any thoughts? PLEASE HELP!
ive never equalized down to 30 feet. is that wrong?
I was looking for battery equalisation charge settings, but i had to click based on the video image 😄
Hey man! I’ve been doing your exercises like crazy! But unfortunately I couldn’t get to equalize head down in my AIDA 2 STARS course, so the school put my certification on hold. Since I didn’t reach the 16 meters requisite. :( I managed to go down 12meters but with my head up and equalized my ears perfectly. I’m so sad and frustrated. I don’t know if you could do another video with more insight about this problem. 🙏🏼 you rock!
Hey Adam, ive been watching about most of your vids on your channel and im really impressed with your attitude and mindset towards life and diving. One question that might have been asked already but cant seem to find it. What camera do you use to film the underwater shots? Cheers and greetings from Belgium !
Nick Lefebvre thanks so much Nick! I really appreciate that. I use an Olympus em5 Mark 2 with a Panasonic 8mm fisheye lens
That looks really expensive haha ! Any ideas on what starter camera to get for some memorable under water footage?
Okay, this might be controversial but...
Pipin Ferreras likes to allow his sinuses to get flooded. He says this practically eliminates the need to equalize by removing the air.
What’s your take?
Thanks
welcome :)
U-sta-shun is how I've always heard it from ear, nose, throats specialists here in Mississippi
Hey Adam I can equalize my ears and my static breath is good but when i get down around 30 feet my lungs get very uncomfortable and i lose all breath that i had until i come up few feet wear that breath is returned. What is going on here?
Hey matt :) most likely this is because you're becoming tense around your torso as you get to these depths. Try to focus on a physical relaxation in your chest area on your next dives :)
Adam Freediver i haven't practiced at all. I dove down at work to get a customers phone (i work on a lake). Is this just something i need to practice alot?
where is the video about sinuses?
molasman haha sorry! My fiancé took me away for the weekend it'll be up in a few days
Hi Adam,
I've tried the exercises (It works fine), but I found out that the 5th one (the strongest), I somehow produce the sound. I doubt it could be the leakage through the glottis since it is easiest path for the air to escape.
Then, I tried my frenzel in the sea down to 20m.
For Feet-down, it works all the time.
For Head-down, I f found out that 70% of the time, one of the ear get blocked in the first 5-7m even if I frenzel hard to enough to produce sound of the leakage.
- I don't know if the sound leakage I heard is really from the glottis. could It be from the Sinus ? ( Maybe, I could be from somewhere else. I had a sinus issues when I was a kid. Even now, I can only do full-breath only from 1 side of the nose, the other I feel uncomfortable.
- Have you ever found anyone got the sound produced during the frenzel EQ before ? I would like to know if this is normal if we are doing a strong push during frenzel or this is not normal.
Thanks,.
I am freediving beginner, can swim 50 meters in the pool, make 2 minutes static in a pool but couldn't reach 10 meters depth in the course :( up to 6 meters was fine I could equalize pressure but after 6 meters I couldn't do it...felt pain in my ears, sinus and when I forced it even in my tooth O_o
I love diving, totally love depth but I am scarry to hear that I can't reach more than 6 meters because of my biology or something :( It would be a nightmare...
It was named for someone whose last name was roughly pronounced You-stay-key (Eustachi). I mix it up between "Eustakian" and "eustacian" tube all the time as either are acceptable
The Guam Guy ah fun fact! Thanks :)
Mind blown about lactose! Also good great exercise about inflating tubes and keeping them open. Much huger thanks to you!
The Guam Guy thanks so much!! :)