purple_stars wrote:

i'd like to try spearfishing. i have some material i read about it but
i've never done it. i have all the gear though, except for the actual
speargun. i am not a very good free diver because i haven't really
worked out the whole ear equalization thing yet, but i've gone to the
pool a few times with my mask and snorkle and things and tried to get
past it. i recently got a weight belt too and have been learning to
use it. i only recently learned to "pre-equalize" by pushing air into
my ears before i dive and that has helped me a lot. i don't know why i
have so much trouble with it, but i do, it's embarrassing really! i
have trouble getting past about 10 feet, but even 10 foot depths are
better than before. before i learned what little equalization i can do
now i couldn't get past about 6 feet without my eardrums feeling like
they were going to explode.

Be very careful about equalization. If your ears hurt do _not_ force
it by going lower... or higher ... until you can equalize the pressure.

Google "barotrauma" and learn about how you can damage your ears with
overpressure.

As I write this I can hear the constant squeal of tinnitus which never
goes away. It is due to an aborted scuba dive in about 12' of water--
and I was lucky. AT least I can still hear.

Don W.