Don W wrote:
Well, I guess experiences vary with the individual. My main
point was that if the poster (purple stars) was experiencing
pain trying to free-dive he should be very careful and learn
to equalize the pressure or he would get to learn about
barotrauma from a medical specialist ;-) The time I think
I hurt my ears I was in about 12 feet of water at Stingray
City in Grand Cayman. It was a long time ago, but the
tinnitus is with me still sigh.

PS - I agree with you that its much easier to equalize ascending
rather than descending.

Don W.

My experience is different. When free diving you can't equalize because
you don't have an air feed at ambient pressure. (Your last breath was at
the surface) Unless I am not understanding the term "free diving" which
I believe means diving without tanks. I that case the air inside your
body gets compressed as you descend and you can't equalize by taking in
more air.

Gary