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What should you do if you experience a reverse block upon ascending?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

If experiencing a reverse block while ascending, descend slightly to allow pressure to equalize and perform valsalva maneuvers to help clear the block.

Step-by-step explanation:

When you experience a reverse block upon ascending, this indicates that the external pressure has decreased while the pressure in a closed space in your body has not equalized with the ambient pressure. This commonly occurs in activities such as scuba diving or flying. The correct action is to descend slightly and allow more time for the pressure to equalize before attempting to ascend again. It's also helpful to perform valsalva maneuvers to gently equalize ear pressure, which involves pinching your nose shut and gently exhaling through your nose.

If you experience a reverse block upon ascending, it means that you are unable to equalize the pressure between your middle ear and the surrounding water as you go deeper or higher in the water. This can cause discomfort or even pain in your ears. To address the reverse block, you can try equalizing the pressure by gently pinching your nostrils closed, closing your mouth, and then attempting to blow air through your nose to open the Eustachian tube. This helps to equalize the pressure and relieve the blockage.

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