Equalization

Equalize or turn around

Pain at the eardrum is not a badge. It's your signal that you're behind the pressure, and the fix is to slow down — not to push.

valsalva       blow against a pinched nose
frenzel        the tongue pistons air up, hands-free
frenzel-fattah the deep-water upgrade
equalize       early, often, before you feel it

When in doubt, abort

The descent is free. You can try again in two minutes. An eardrum is not.