If someone experiences ear or sinus pain while descending, what typically needs to be done?

When someone experiences ear or sinus pain while descending, the appropriate response is to equalize. Equalization helps to equalize the pressure in the middle ear and sinuses with the surrounding water pressure. This process is essential because as a diver descends, the pressure around them increases, and if the pressure in the ears does not equalize accordingly, it can lead to discomfort or even injury, such as barotrauma.

Common techniques for equalization include swallowing, yawning, or using the Valsalva maneuver, where a diver pinches their nose, closes their mouth, and gently exhales. These actions help to open the Eustachian tubes, allowing the pressure in the ears to equalize with the ambient pressure.

Ignoring the pain can lead to more severe issues, and descending faster would exacerbate pressure imbalances. Ascending immediately may provide relief, but it is not a sustainable solution to the underlying problem of unequal pressure, and simply ascending does not teach the diver how to safely manage equalization in the future. Thus, recognizing the need to equalize is the correct and most effective action to take when experiencing ear or sinus discomfort during a descent.