FREEDIVING AND MERMAID INSTRUCTOR: I ended up becoming an SSI Level 2 Freediving Instructor and Mermaid Instructor! All of my equalization issues that I had to work through gave me a solid foundation to help others work through their equalization issues. I’m now running courses in both Las Vegas, Nevada and near Port Angeles, Washington. For more information or to schedule a course near you, feel free to reach out! www.aquanautsfreediving.com OCEAN-THEMED ATHLEISURE CLOTHING LINE FOR OCEAN ENTHUSIASTS: For those who have been following my vlog or other social media, you’ll know that I’m a very active person and I love to cram as many activities into my day as possible, from rock climbing, to freediving, to trail running, cycling, acro, and more! I’ve created an athleisure line geared towards freedivers, merfolk, and other ocean enthusiasts. The matching rash guards, leggings, and sports bras provide stylish and color coordinated protection against the sun and jellyfish stings, and they’re a reef friendly alternative to chemical sunscreens! I have merchandise for both men and women. Check out my clothing line at www.aquanautsclothing.com and let me know what you think! DIVING EDUCATION FOR OCEAN CONSERVATION: I recently won the title of Miss Mermaid Nevada 2021, and it has been my goal to provide affordable diving education to get people into the ocean and more passionate about ocean conservation. To learn more about this project, please look up We of the Sea on Facebook.
Hey guys, I hope that my journey through figuring out my equalizing issues helps a freediver out. Not being able to equalize isn't a reason to quit freediving, and it also isn't a reason to push yourself past what your body can handle. For the freedivers out there, please feel free to share your journey through equalization issues and what you did to move forward with your freediving education!
Dude. Post more videos, please! The authenticity/transparency is awesome. I'm past 10m myself - trying to pass 25m in the next year. A couple of people in my recent course had a similar issue to you. Sent your video to both of them! Thank you kindly! :)
Hi Rachel, thank you for posting videos showing your progress. It’s been really helpful. I have started my freediving journey too by doing a short discovery course here in PH but sometimes have issues equalizing. I can move my inner ear muscles voluntarily without pinching my nose and thought it was an advantage but its not the case. I sometimes have issues equalizing my right ear. Get disappointed when it happens and sometimes think that freediving might not be for me. But thanks to your video, I will also try to find a solution that will work for me. Didn’t really want to quit as I like diving and have invested in the gear. Will continue with actual course once I find a solution. Thanks again. Hope you continue uploading fdiving videos. Keep it up. :)
Vince, don't give up! I learned a lot about equalization recently and have the exact same equalizing history as you! I started hands free, but it is super important to learn Valsalva or Frenzel. I have trouble equalizing my left ear, but I've had to learn the tiniest feelings and sounds that indicate that certain airspaces are being equalized successfully. Are you diving on a regular basis or just occasionally? Just an update to keep you interested in not giving up, I can now equalize and dive comfortably to 30 meters! There are still issues here and there, but knowing what is happening in your body is essential to finding successful workarounds. Go slow, listen to every LITTLE thing your body is telling you, and don't give up! :)
Rachel, what a fantastic video. So full of incredibly detailed and important information. Ive watched so many UA-cam videos on so many topics. It's my experience that your video is above and beyond anything I've ever seen. Your content, editing, and approach to this video is exemplary. Kudos to you, keep up the amazing work, and the incredible journey you are on.
I'm having the same exact issue you described! I can even hands free equalize when I'm not underwater, and sometimes that works going down, but during my 3 day course it was inconsistent. I never got too far past 4-6 meters. I have had trauma to the nose and surgery to open up one nasal passage, and I have had bad sinus infections, but none recently. I have not gotten any tips about using a balloom or anything like that. Thanks for this video, it is frustrating to be held back only by my inability to equalize and its nice to know that this is fairly common. Also - I have a sailboat too, launching it soon!!
Hi Rachel! I’m exactly in the same situation. Problems to equalizing in my left ear.I can’t pass my level 3(AIDA)🤷♂️ I Have my consultation with a Dr especialist in freeediving in few days...I can’t wait to resolve this problem and start to dive again. Congrats for your level 1!Great videos and we keep in touch!! Iv
Good luck on getting your issues solved! I've started to eliminate a few of the solutions systematically to see which ones I don't need. In addition, I feel as though there was a solid two weeks where my body needed to get acclimated before I could start pursuing depth after not diving for an extended period of time. Let me know what your results are! It'd be fun to compare our experiences. :)
Thanks!It is moe moderate,but i also had some problems with equalizing,if we say that is a problem,equalizing is harder in my left ear than on the right ear,always when i equalize,my right ear equalizing first,and just after the left.I dived just to 5ms ,i hope this wouldnt get worser,if i dive deeper.I hadnt have acces to waters with 10ms depth,i think,(i dont have pressure based depth indicator),but possible that it can be worser in greater depths.I also experienced that in seawater is harder to equalise than in the pool.But a more risky thing, that my left ear not always equalizing completely.
hey ! pleasantly happy to see you commenting on vertical blue ! i failed my ssi level 1 freediving due to being unable to equalise as well. Just a question, do you learn frenzel at level 1 ssi? Because I’m being taught on valsava instead
Hey Sam! Thanks for the comment. It was so fun being a part of Vertical Blue this year! For SSI, it is pretty standard to learn Frenzel with Level 2, but some dive schools will teach Frenzel at Level 1 at their own discretion, especially if you take Level 1 and 2 with them. It is standard for you to learn Frenzel in Wave 1 for Molchanovs courses, so that is also an option for you. Are you currently attempting the SSI Level 1 course again?
@@thesailingsiren Hey Rachel! Thanks for answering my question! Was quite surprised since Frenzel is usually taught in freediving. Yup, I’ll be going to the open water session again to try and clear my level 1. After following Adam Stern’s video and doing a couple of his exercises, I am able to equalise both ears now !🤗 * Cross Fingers *
@@sleexox Yeah, I definitely agree that Frenzel is a super useful skill to start off with. Congrats on being able to do Frenzel! Best of luck on completing your course. :)
Great and inspiring video. I probably need to re-watch the video but I'm still not sure exactly what was causing the eq issue for you and what the solution was. I ask because I feel like I'm in a similar situation. I can't freedive deep because of the pain in my ears. And, once I went scuba diving in Bali (up to 10m depth) and I was in so much pain from bad or failure to eq, the pain in my ear lasted more than a month.
Same case here I failed my SSI Freediving level 1, I was able to hold my breath for 3:06, but I couldn’t go deeper of 10 mts, I couldn’t equalize, I tried multiple time and it is really disappointing.... I am trying to figure out what to do. As you said in another comment I can equalize while I am scuba diving because you have more time and air to take it slow, but in Freediving it won’t work like that... I hope I can find a solution soon
Just so you know, don't get discouraged! Find an instructor who cares and can help you out! I had a zillion issues with equalization and I can say that I'm an instructor and diving to 40+ m with no equalization issues. Don't give up!
I didn't know it, but I was using a form of equalizing where I control the muscles that open my eustachian tubes. Works great for scuba when you have unlimited air, but not so great when you're swimming down a line head down. I also picked up a bad habit while underwater modeling where I tense up the muscles in my soft palate to minimize water flooding my sinuses. On top of that, I didn't know how to Frenzel equalize until I started my freedive training.
@@thesailingsiren As a patient with adenoid hypertrophy, the same thing happened to me, I can equalize using valsalva maneuver so easily while descending with my feet down. But when I duck dive with a lower head position, nothing happens I just hurt my ears.
Jesus love you, he died on the cross for you, accept him as your lord and savior he can change everything. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (Jn 3:16" But you must repent too. From that time Jesus went about preaching and saying, Let your hearts be turned from sin, for the kingdom of heaven is near. (Matthew 4:17)
FREEDIVING AND MERMAID INSTRUCTOR: I ended up becoming an SSI Level 2 Freediving Instructor and Mermaid Instructor! All of my equalization issues that I had to work through gave me a solid foundation to help others work through their equalization issues. I’m now running courses in both Las Vegas, Nevada and near Port Angeles, Washington. For more information or to schedule a course near you, feel free to reach out! www.aquanautsfreediving.com
OCEAN-THEMED ATHLEISURE CLOTHING LINE FOR OCEAN ENTHUSIASTS: For those who have been following my vlog or other social media, you’ll know that I’m a very active person and I love to cram as many activities into my day as possible, from rock climbing, to freediving, to trail running, cycling, acro, and more! I’ve created an athleisure line geared towards freedivers, merfolk, and other ocean enthusiasts. The matching rash guards, leggings, and sports bras provide stylish and color coordinated protection against the sun and jellyfish stings, and they’re a reef friendly alternative to chemical sunscreens! I have merchandise for both men and women. Check out my clothing line at www.aquanautsclothing.com and let me know what you think!
DIVING EDUCATION FOR OCEAN CONSERVATION: I recently won the title of Miss Mermaid Nevada 2021, and it has been my goal to provide affordable diving education to get people into the ocean and more passionate about ocean conservation. To learn more about this project, please look up We of the Sea on Facebook.
Hey guys, I hope that my journey through figuring out my equalizing issues helps a freediver out. Not being able to equalize isn't a reason to quit freediving, and it also isn't a reason to push yourself past what your body can handle. For the freedivers out there, please feel free to share your journey through equalization issues and what you did to move forward with your freediving education!
Dude. Post more videos, please! The authenticity/transparency is awesome. I'm past 10m myself - trying to pass 25m in the next year. A couple of people in my recent course had a similar issue to you. Sent your video to both of them! Thank you kindly! :)
This is such a well organized video. Extremely educational and well spoken. Well done 🙏🏽
Thanks Antjuan! Appreciate the critiques. Hope the PNW is treating you well!
Hi Rachel, thank you for posting videos showing your progress. It’s been really helpful. I have started my freediving journey too by doing a short discovery course here in PH but sometimes have issues equalizing. I can move my inner ear muscles voluntarily without pinching my nose and thought it was an advantage but its not the case. I sometimes have issues equalizing my right ear. Get disappointed when it happens and sometimes think that freediving might not be for me. But thanks to your video, I will also try to find a solution that will work for me. Didn’t really want to quit as I like diving and have invested in the gear. Will continue with actual course once I find a solution. Thanks again. Hope you continue uploading fdiving videos. Keep it up. :)
Vince, don't give up! I learned a lot about equalization recently and have the exact same equalizing history as you! I started hands free, but it is super important to learn Valsalva or Frenzel. I have trouble equalizing my left ear, but I've had to learn the tiniest feelings and sounds that indicate that certain airspaces are being equalized successfully. Are you diving on a regular basis or just occasionally? Just an update to keep you interested in not giving up, I can now equalize and dive comfortably to 30 meters! There are still issues here and there, but knowing what is happening in your body is essential to finding successful workarounds. Go slow, listen to every LITTLE thing your body is telling you, and don't give up! :)
Rachel, what a fantastic video. So full of incredibly detailed and important information. Ive watched so many UA-cam videos on so many topics. It's my experience that your video is above and beyond anything I've ever seen. Your content, editing, and approach to this video is exemplary. Kudos to you, keep up the amazing work, and the incredible journey you are on.
Thank you for the kind words! Hopefully the videos help someone out somewhere along their journey as well. :)
I'm having the same exact issue you described! I can even hands free equalize when I'm not underwater, and sometimes that works going down, but during my 3 day course it was inconsistent. I never got too far past 4-6 meters. I have had trauma to the nose and surgery to open up one nasal passage, and I have had bad sinus infections, but none recently. I have not gotten any tips about using a balloom or anything like that. Thanks for this video, it is frustrating to be held back only by my inability to equalize and its nice to know that this is fairly common. Also - I have a sailboat too, launching it soon!!
Thanks for creating and sharing this Rachel! It's a huge help.
Absolutely Deon! Hope it helps! Are you having problems with EQ right now?
Hi Rachel! I’m exactly in the same situation. Problems to equalizing in my left ear.I can’t pass my level 3(AIDA)🤷♂️
I Have my consultation with a Dr especialist in freeediving in few days...I can’t wait to resolve this problem and start to dive again.
Congrats for your level 1!Great videos and we keep in touch!!
Iv
Good luck on getting your issues solved! I've started to eliminate a few of the solutions systematically to see which ones I don't need. In addition, I feel as though there was a solid two weeks where my body needed to get acclimated before I could start pursuing depth after not diving for an extended period of time. Let me know what your results are! It'd be fun to compare our experiences. :)
@@thesailingsiren What was the issue in the end?
Super informative Ms Rachel 🤙🏻
Thanks Mike!
Glad you found you problem :)
I need to get my dive ticket and some dive gear for the sail boat
Awww yess! Diving and sailing. Best combo ever. :)
@@thesailingsiren well when you finish that sail your going on save and some cash to go again come show me how it's done lol
Thanks!It is moe moderate,but i also had some problems with equalizing,if we say that is a problem,equalizing is harder in my left ear than on the right ear,always when i equalize,my right ear equalizing first,and just after the left.I dived just to 5ms ,i hope this wouldnt get worser,if i dive deeper.I hadnt have acces to waters with 10ms depth,i think,(i dont have pressure based depth indicator),but possible that it can be worser in greater depths.I also experienced that in seawater is harder to equalise than in the pool.But a more risky thing, that my left ear not always equalizing completely.
hey ! pleasantly happy to see you commenting on vertical blue ! i failed my ssi level 1 freediving due to being unable to equalise as well. Just a question, do you learn frenzel at level 1 ssi? Because I’m being taught on valsava instead
Hey Sam! Thanks for the comment. It was so fun being a part of Vertical Blue this year! For SSI, it is pretty standard to learn Frenzel with Level 2, but some dive schools will teach Frenzel at Level 1 at their own discretion, especially if you take Level 1 and 2 with them. It is standard for you to learn Frenzel in Wave 1 for Molchanovs courses, so that is also an option for you. Are you currently attempting the SSI Level 1 course again?
@@thesailingsiren Hey Rachel! Thanks for answering my question! Was quite surprised since Frenzel is usually taught in freediving. Yup, I’ll be going to the open water session again to try and clear my level 1. After following Adam Stern’s video and doing a couple of his exercises, I am able to equalise both ears now !🤗 * Cross Fingers *
@@sleexox Yeah, I definitely agree that Frenzel is a super useful skill to start off with. Congrats on being able to do Frenzel! Best of luck on completing your course. :)
I didnot understand. What was the problem in the left side?
Great and inspiring video.
I probably need to re-watch the video but I'm still not sure exactly what was causing the eq issue for you and what the solution was.
I ask because I feel like I'm in a similar situation. I can't freedive deep because of the pain in my ears. And, once I went scuba diving in Bali (up to 10m depth) and I was in so much pain from bad or failure to eq, the pain in my ear lasted more than a month.
Good job. thanks for sharing...
Thank you for the info
Same case here I failed my SSI Freediving level 1, I was able to hold my breath for 3:06, but I couldn’t go deeper of 10 mts, I couldn’t equalize, I tried multiple time and it is really disappointing.... I am trying to figure out what to do. As you said in another comment I can equalize while I am scuba diving because you have more time and air to take it slow, but in Freediving it won’t work like that... I hope I can find a solution soon
Hey Juancho! Where did you take your course? Do you have the opportunity to retake the course somewhere else? And what agency did you go through?
Just so you know, don't get discouraged! Find an instructor who cares and can help you out! I had a zillion issues with equalization and I can say that I'm an instructor and diving to 40+ m with no equalization issues. Don't give up!
Hey Sailing Siren! Did you have your adenoids removed?
@@HarlemArthur No I didn't, I found that they ended up not being an issue for me after I did E tube conditioning exercises.
@@thesailingsiren so What is the issue?,
but why didnt you have this problem wile scuba diving?
I didn't know it, but I was using a form of equalizing where I control the muscles that open my eustachian tubes. Works great for scuba when you have unlimited air, but not so great when you're swimming down a line head down. I also picked up a bad habit while underwater modeling where I tense up the muscles in my soft palate to minimize water flooding my sinuses. On top of that, I didn't know how to Frenzel equalize until I started my freedive training.
@@thesailingsiren As a patient with adenoid hypertrophy, the same thing happened to me, I can equalize using valsalva maneuver so easily while descending with my feet down. But when I duck dive with a lower head position, nothing happens I just hurt my ears.
Jesus love you, he died on the cross for you, accept him as your lord and savior he can change everything. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (Jn 3:16"
But you must repent too. From that time Jesus went about preaching and saying, Let your hearts be turned from sin, for the kingdom of heaven is near. (Matthew 4:17)
Well your adorable😭😥😍
thanks Railyn!