If you have difficulty equalizing pressure in your ears/sinuses while descending, what should you do?

When experiencing difficulty equalizing pressure in the ears or sinuses during descent, ascending slightly to relieve pressure is recommended. This is because the pressure difference can create discomfort or potential injury to the delicate structures of the ear. By ascending, you allow the pressure to equalize naturally, making it easier to perform equalization techniques without discomfort.

Attempting to force equalization while still under pressure can exacerbate discomfort and potentially lead to barotrauma, which is an injury caused by the inability to equalize pressure in the body. Stopping and waiting for the discomfort to subside would not necessarily help, as the pressure imbalance would remain. Returning to the surface could be a drastic measure that may not be necessary if only a slight ascent is needed to relieve the pressure.

Therefore, ascending slightly to relieve the pressure and then attempting to equalize is the safest and most effective course of action. This approach ensures that divers can manage their descent more comfortably and avoids risking injury while maintaining safety throughout the dive.