What should divers do if they experience difficulty equalizing their ears?

When divers experience difficulty equalizing their ears, it is crucial to stop ascending and employ various techniques to equalize the pressure in their ears. This approach is vital because, during a dive, the pressure on the body increases as the diver goes deeper, and when ascending, the pressure decreases. Failure to equalize can lead to barotrauma, which is injury to the ear structures due to pressure changes.

By stopping the ascent and attempting to equalize, divers can use methods such as the Valsalva maneuver or the Frenzel maneuver to balance the pressure in their middle ear with the surrounding environment. These techniques can help avoid pain, discomfort, and potential injury.

Diving deeper or ascending immediately would not resolve the issue and could potentially exacerbate the situation. Continuing to dive without addressing equalization difficulties is dangerous and increases the risk of serious injuries. Therefore, employing equalization techniques is the safest and most effective option when faced with this challenge.