equalizing

what technique do you guys use? whats best? ive read the frenzel is the safest but tricky to master.

I keep my left hand pinching my nose all the way down using slight pressure every couple of feet. Then again I am an uniformed diver when it comes to terms. I dont even know what in hell the Frenzel method is. I use the Davis method taught to me by my Dad when I was 15 .

its the one where u use the tongue as a piston to push ther air through the tubes, my ol ladie just said i look like an idiot sittin in front of the computer doing weird stuf with my cheeks, she thinks i have problems

ya get that crap to? does she pick on ya for walking around the house holding yer breath also? mine gets mad cause i cant answer her when she says somthig when im doin that 

I clear my ears once per second all the way to bottom.  The key is clear them often and don't wait until you feel the pressure/pain in your ears then clear them.

I keep my left hand pinching my nose all the way down using slight pressure every couple of feet.

Yep

 For free diving I use a modified Frenzel technique,with the snorkel in your mouth shift your jaw front to back on the mouth piece tabs every couple of seconds all the while pushing my tounge towards the roof of my mouth . It has worked great and I have never had a problem clearing. Two issues with holding the nose technique (Valsalva) is it ties up your other hand and can cause seroius ear injury if you push/blow too hard. But use whatever technique works best and your most comfortable with.

I dont even know what in hell the Frenzel method is.

The Frenzel Maneuver is named after Herman Frenzel (German ear, nose and throat physician and Luftwaffe commander). The maneuver was developed in 1938 and originally was taught to dive bomber pilots during World War 2. The maneuver is used to equalize pressure in the middle ear. Today, the maneuvuer is also performed by scuba divers and by passengers on aircraft as they descend.

The Frenzel Maneuver is performed as follows:

The tongue is placed on the roof of the mouth, as far forward as possible
the back of the tongue is gently moved upward (as when starting to swallow) – often a click will be heard this is repeated as many times as necessary until equalization occurs.
By performing this, the back third of the tongue and "Adams Apple" will elevate causing the opening of the nasal cavities and eustachian tubes, thus allowing air into the middle ear and equalizing it to ambient air pressure.

This maneuver does not constrict the eustachian tubes, nor does it over-pressurize the middle or inner ear; it also leaves the hands free. The maneuver can be done at any time during the respiratory cycle and it does not inhibit venous return to the heart. Effort to perform the maneuver is minimal, and it can be repeated many times quickly.

This has helped me I'll try it next practice , holding my nose seems to have plugged  up my ear and given me a ear ache , 

Brian , if you wait too long there is too much pressure built up in the sinus cavity. The easiest way is to use your left  hand. Foolproof method. look at lots of freedive vids. How many are equalizing with their fingers on the nose? Frenzel, schmenzel

Gotta get over the pain now don't even want to try again

From what I understand the first clear is the most important. You should be doing right as you start your dive, and then continue all the way down. The first 10 ft are the biggest pressure change and so they are the most difficult to achieve.

http://www.amazon.com/Manual-Freediving-Underwater-Single-Breath/dp/1928649270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268571319&sr=8-1

Get this book. It covers pretty much everything.

Don't forget to use sudafed, non drowsy.It helps to take it at least an hour or more  before you dive.
 I use my left hand and squeeze my nose, then blow very gently right as you decend.You should hear a squeaky
 high pitch noise as the pressure is equalized. If it hurts your ears, return to the surface right away, and try again.
 Never dive with an ear infection or head cold as you could damage your ears easily.

From what I understand the first clear is the most important. You should be doing right as you start your dive, and then continue all the way down. The first 10 ft are the biggest pressure change and so they are the most difficult to achieve.

Yup.  Clear early and clear often.  The more often you clear, the less pressure is built up and the easier it is on your ears.  I do a hands-free version of clicking my ears, but I think that's also largely physical.  Some people have an easy time clearing hands-free... others try for years but aren't able to.

Be careful with any medications... some like Afrin can have potentially negative long term effects.

I always advise new divers to equalize on the surface first.  Then do a few dives to 5 feet and equalize.   I'm a nose pincher myself.  On a good day a hard snort is all I need.  I know bringing a hand up to your face during a descent can really slow you up knock about 10' off you depth.  DcBatt