Frenzel equalization (tongue piston)

The Frenzel technique is a way to equalize your ears without using your lungs. You use your tongue like a piston to push air up.

This method is essential for freedivers because it works even when lung volume decreases at depth. I used this technique during my 2018 training in Koh Tao to reach 24 m depths. It prevents the heavy pressure on your chest that comes with the Valsalva method. Most technical divers prefer it for deep dives or when they feel fatigued.

Keep your glottis closed while you move your tongue. A common mistake is trying to breathe through your nose during the movement. This fails because air escapes before it reaches your Eustachian tubes. Practice in a shallow pool first. Focus on the feeling of air moving behind your soft palate.