A New Approach to Freediving Equalisation: What I learnt From the MRI

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What I know about freediving equalisation has changed since I did the equalisation experiments in the MRI machine. I really didn't expect to learn so much from the experiment. I thought it might just be interesting to see how things moved. But now i'm questioning a lot of what I thought I knew about equalising.
It's still early days in this experiment and I really haven't had enough time to really test my theories so the information I'm presenting here should be thought as preliminary findings. More theories and ideas rather than fact. Because in truth...I could be completely wrong about everything! The only reason that I made this video without further experimentation is because of the huge success I'm having teaching these new techniques to my students.
So with all that in mind I hope you enjoy this long and dense video! It is quite technical so i've included a link to the script here so you can follow it along:
www.adamfreediver.com/freedivi...

[@michelpoisson4214]

This is THE vdo on frenzel. I saw a lots of vids about learning frenzel where there's nothing to see (obviously, it's inside your mouth), a lot of tutorials about epiglot, soft palate, tongue lock and the mysterious "tongue pump" that I never realized (only look stupid underwater and have pain in my hears). I always use my throat to equalize and I tought it was a kind of valsava, even if I wonder why I could equalize easily after 15m. Then Adam came up and I discover that, in fact, I already do a frenzel with a H lock combined with a voluntary opening of my tubes for years, without any thinking, it was just the simpler for me ... So thank you for your vid (and other vids) and thank you to annihilate the tongue pump myth which is the main reason why people didn't achieve a correct frenzel : because there's no tongue pump, only tongue lock ! And now I can use some tips from your other vids to do a better frenzel, mine was empiric and far from perfect ! A very valuable time watching this, quite rare on youtube !

[@sleep1878]

Another way to develop larynx control is to alternate high and low voice pitch. Larynx goes up when attempting the highest pitch and drops down when trying the lowest pitch.

[@AdamFreediver]

That sounds like a fantastic method! Nice one :)

[@cloudlights2643]

Thanks a lot... the vomit technique almost caused me to actually vomit

[@Adrian-ji3lg]

@@AdamFreediver suggested queueing exercise that I just tried on myself. Ex 1: Hum low, hum high; Ex 2: pick a lock (p,t,k,h) and repeat! The transition from low to high hum naturally causes a Frenzel equalization #mindblown. On a separate note: thanks for generating and sharing great content. This is invaluable as I and others progress on our freediving journey!

[@simonroberts2890]

Adam! Honestly, I don’t think I’ve heard a single person speak so impeccably as you. Lovely to watch in a age where people just claim knowledge and don’t entertain any doubt. Love your work!

[@rainbowp0nybutterfly2]

No kidding! Been interested in freediving for years now, but I was really demotivated because I can't equalize with my head down, and tried the frensel but could never mange it. But here I am, a year or so since I last gave up, sitting on the toilet, watching your part about frenzel young and BAMM i got it first try!!! Thank YOU! This Really motivated me to try to pick up freediving again!!!

[@MJY8290]

Amazing! For two years I couldn’t frenzel and was stuck at 15m with valsava. Just did my first frenzel ever with cheeks according to your instructions

[@ravenswing602]

B b

[@tedhendy1325]

I just wanted to give you my thanks for all the information you’ve given me through your videos. I appreciate it very much, best wishes to you and yours.

[@1618maher]

Thanks for these deep explanations Adam!!!

[@AdamFreediver]

You're so so welcome :)

[@freespearo]

Thanks Adam, a lot of stuff to think about. Looking forward to see the remastered series of eq videos :)

[@AdamFreediver]

So welcome :) I'm so excited to make them :)

[@sobang3]

This is a great work!! Thank you for sharing the information. This will help a lot of people having trouble with the equalizing including me. Thank you Adam!!

[@AdamFreediver]

I'm so happy!!!!!! I have been a bit nervous to put the video out because it's mostly new information but i'm so happy that it's helpful :)

[@leduaracosta1569]

Excellent explanation Adam u are just amazing at explaining things and that makes you different 👌👌

[@BerndThell]

This is the point of return and I´m glad to be with you! You are the one who can make this turn to be moving freediving!

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks so much Bernd :) It's been such an honour to be so involved in the community in this way :)

[@sunnykrusty]

Fantastic video mate😀

[@lakambinilarocque4045]

Awesome Adam!

[@talsilver1815]

Mr professor deep dive Adam :) Thanks for doing what you do. The Babylon needs more people like you to change others perception!

[@AdamFreediver]

Thank you :) I'd love to know what you think of the video once you watch it!

[@FloridaFreedivers1]

Hey Adam, GREAT video! Very cool findings and i am super excited to give these things a try in some shallow negatives!

[@AdamFreediver]

Thank you :) I'd love to hear how it goes :)

[@AdrienBeITube]

Extremely insightful. Thanks Adam for sharing so much knowledge for free. I hope you get many Patreon supporters. Great disclaimers too, it puts all of your work and research in a much clearer context. Feels like some sort of Open Source or Creative Commons Freediving community you are building. Exactly what freediving needs in order to mature with a healthy mindset. 🙌 I would love to see other super talented coach and instructors share more on youtube too. The manuals are still far too narrow minded imo. A good start for a young sport, but so much more to be done.

[@dianal.1279]

Wow, what a fantastic lesson! Thank you for sharing!🏆

[@philipmanning6642]

As someone who hasn't done a free diving course or really focused on equalisation for diving. It is very natural to equalise this way. I find ive got plenty of control over the larynx and everything youre saying makes heaps of sense. Keep up the good work, loving what you're doing on your channel !!

[@chrispewpew]

Omg after watching your past Frenzel video and feeling like I could never still get it quite strong enough to equalize and seeing this, BIG JUMP in my progress. I'm excited, I've been watching your videos for more than a year now and I'm excited to be working on getting my equalization and relaxation up for when I finally go this holiday season to the Philippines to hopefully do my Aida 2 Certification! Biggest complaint having scuba'd now for a while is that my equalization has always been weak. I think I might have solved that problem but I'll see that put into actual practice soon. P.S. I know these vids have been out for so long but I might have some slight ADHD and my attention span to watching the details in videos I watch is usually gone, but this time around it clicked in my brain, hahaha maybe its because I'm excited about going for that certification/actual freedive course.

[@ageyzner]

Thanks allot for sharing this! You're doing an amazing job for the freediving community!

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks Alex :) I really appreciate that!

[@teamkayfreedivingssifdinst1643]

I really appreciate sharing your exclusive knowledge of Frenzel, its very new to me too. cheers!

[@AdamFreediver]

You're absolutely welcome :)

[@pierrebouteillon]

Thank you Adam. Definitely your best video ever. I thing I'm going to watch it dozens time the next few days in order to understand all your keys (so thank you for ruinning my christmas hollydays!). Mainly, I always had difficulties to understand the "piston" role of the tongue, and I think you bring a big clue: the key is not the tongue movement but the vocal cords movement!

[@AdamFreediver]

Hahaha wel it's not the first holiday that i've ruined haha :) Thanks Pierre :)

[@chadstclair7274]

Thanks for all your work really cleared some things up for me on mouth fill!!

[@AdamFreediver]

Absolute pleasure Chad :)

[@derrickliu257]

Thank you so much for sharing!!! After watched your MRI Equalization video, I felt it is so against my instinct, and now I start to learn how to equalize more efficiently!!!

[@AdamFreediver]

Thank you Derrick :) so happy I can help

[@landonmills5236]

Being a singer is definitely helping me not only with diaphragm breathing but now I realise I have an advantage with already knowing how to move my larynx. Some of your exercises are very similar to vocal exercises! 🤘🏻

[@mahdiababsa5746]

Thanks for all Adam, i'm walking in the street and keep moving my larynx up and down... no matter what people think :))

[@michenesi]

Hi Adam! This lesson is awesome, you might have given me a new method to use for my equalization problems, I always find it difficult to "unblock" my ears while i'm descending even if i'm doing it. Sometimes and very often my right ear doesn't pop at all. I'm watching this tutorial over and over to be sure that i do this exercises properly and to understand it completely. To think about the larynx to be used like you suggest, I've never even considered it while equalizing, and i'm actually able to move it like you do. Next dive i'm gonna tell about the results! Thank you a million times for the incredible job you're doing! You've turned into a scientist!

[@AdamFreediver]

That's so awesome!!!! Looking forward to the results :)

[@TravelNarrativesofWin]

Thank you Adam! I've recently got into freediving and have some problems equalizing 4m below or when rapidly descending.

[@scientificcasting]

Thanks Adam, very interesting and very helpful. I especially like your including the script since there is so much info there. Like that you’ve refined the feet first technique so it’s less dependent on the student figuring it out on their own, though ultimately that worked for me it probably took ten sessions before I could do anything head first. I’m doing 25m head first these days btw. Keep up this great work, and thanks Tom F.

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks Tom :) hopefully we can keep working on the feet first method and develop a fast system for people

[@freediveandthrive]

Veru interesting Adam, thank you for all the hard work.

[@AdamFreediver]

Pleasure Donny :) I'd love to know your initial thoughts?

[@freediveandthrive]

@@AdamFreediver I'll PM you.

[@Aiguantulivinamerica]

Adam this is a LEVEL UP!! congratulations and Thank you :)

[@shocklab]

Really interesting, Adam! Thank you for this :-)

[@joshsuarez3880]

Yes! Another video! Will apply what i've learned from your videos when we go to the beach to my friend's dive resort on saturday.

[@AdamFreediver]

Sounds like a plan my friend :)

[@joshsuarez3880]

Hey Adam, just got back from the sea and i just want to let you know that i have practiced some of your lessons and i gotta say, it helped me a lot! I found out that it's very easy for me to swim by finning like how you fin using a monofin. Event though i didn't go deep (since i was still practicing finning), i know it will be easy for me to attempt to dive for 10-12 meters the next time. I've practiced frenzel equalization too, it's a bit hard at first but don't worry, next time i'll focus practicing frenzel equalitzation so that i can improve. Much love all the way from Philippines, Adam. Happy holidays to you and Erin :)

[@AdamFreediver]

That's awesome! Looks like it's all going well!!! :)

[@eleanoraro917]

I never understood mouthfill due to thinking I wasn't aware of HOW I was equalising during dives, I was just able to do it. Then when it came to learn mouthfill, being instructed to push the air 'using the tongue' got me so confused- I became focused on the idea that 'the tongue' I should be using to EQ with was the 'tasting' part of my tongue. So I tried to unlearn my natural technique convinced I was equalising 'wrong' and since struggled enormously and never achieved a successful mouthfill until I decided to just forget about the instructions and just experiment with what felt most natural and logical with my body. After this experience and now watching this video I believe this was the exact misunderstanding that lead me to the confusions, and predominantly the confusion comes from use of language and how we interpret instructions. Now I am an Instructor understanding this enough to communicate my personal experience with this video is a massive help for understanding and explaining with students. Relife! Thanks! ^_^

[@juani267]

BRILLIANT!!

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks!!

[@freedivepassion9498]

Hay Adam, this is the most comprehensive MF video on KZbin. I would largely agree with all of your points, especially regarding constant pressure, to much pressure causing swallowing, and reducing pressure between EQing with mouthfill. The only difference in the way I teach mouthfill is once into the locks, the pressure can be reduced simply by dropping the larynx again (which is a mere detail and as you say I don't believe in any superior for of mouthfill either) good work mate!

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks much Harry! I really appreciate that bro :)

[@4daocean]

Dude! what a great video! I was waiting for you to deepen your equalization tutorials so thanks a lot! I'm one of those few unfortunate guys who can't equalize head first (so annoying) and that actually stopped the instructor from giving me the AIDA 2 certificate. :( Your 8 days program sounds more clever to me than a three day course, too bad you are in the other side of the world! haha Greetings from South America!

[@AdamFreediver]

Thank you!!! one day i'm sure i'll be around in your neck of the woods :)

[@ikrimahsh9856]

just thank you

[@AdamFreediver]

So so welcome :)

[@sunflowerbadger]

That's super cool.

[@AdamFreediver]

thanks Will :)

[@julesmaurer6227]

I am becoming a big fan.

[@HFXmermaid]

Thanks for the ideas, I can't equalize past 4m and I am trying so hard. Doc says my tubes are really small and scarred.

[@77easy77]

Hello Adam its me Sahel the one who couldn't equalise. yesterday for the first time I was finally able to get past the problem and dove 10-15 meter around the US liberty ship wreck in Tulamben, GOD that was amazing, felt like to be able to breath for the first time, I must say that I have also to give credit to Aharon Solomon on making me understand the frenzel technique but still I am very thankful to you for so many things I was able to understand about freediving. I am trying to find a dive buddy however unfortunately all schools wants money and nothing is for free nowadays and they even told me that they wouldn't consider any knowledge I accumulated with your online courses and that I can't go on training sessions before completing a 300 USD freediving course which I would love to do but cannot afford to. I am still so happy I could dive 10-15 meter but taking a risk as I had no dive buddy but I would love if you could have any idea about how I can get around the 300 USD course to keep practicing 10-20 meter diving for now

[@AdamFreediver]

That's wonderful that you've been able to dive :) The best thing to do is just make friends with other freedivers and join freediving clubs. They all get together and train and dive together for free :)

[@77easy77]

@@AdamFreediver I will try my best, thanks a lot Adam and very happy to see your happy anniversary party and hope the everything is going perfectly with your baby

[@BingSurjawan]

I was having problem frenzel equalization for months and trying to pressure usingbthe tounge but it was hit and miss and sometimes not strong enough for 10m and deeper. I can do now a lot easier after months of regular training and exercise, although I dont understand how the process is, but what Adam mentioned here is an explanation to how I frenzel, without my tounge moving.

[@garygao7658]

the same feeling，the air decreasing， the position of tongue is changed to suit the capacity to create pressure. All your says match the reality of mine.

[@AdamFreediver]

Awesome! That's so good :)

[@as3roth775]

GOOD STUFF ADAM, PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ON RECOVERY BREATHING. i just wanna hear from Australia's best freediver 8)

[@AdamFreediver]

I'll put it in the net video :)

[@SoCalSpearIt]

Thanks, I agree on the larynx control above tounge position when it comes to teaching. I am natural handsfree so fairly lousy at teaching Frenzel but good at teaching mouthfil and advanced EQ. For new students I have had my best results by just having them rapidly and repeatedly pinch and EQ, and whenever I could see their larynx lifting I would let them know until they 'got' it. I have never actually been able to teach Frenzel by telling people to make the 'guh', etc, sounds. For myself, I get significantly deeper handsfree than with Frenzel; I can get to about 60M on Frenzel but a good deal deeper handsfree using a constant pressure, currently 75M - 80M in a mask. I don't even think about my tounge.

[@AdamFreediver]

Lots to unpack there! I'f you're keen to chat flick me a message of Facy :) just because I won't be able to see the comment if you reply

[@jameswagg4357]

I totally agree never found that my tongue did as much as the throat. I have found when I move my throat up and pull my tongue more forward it opens my palate it sounds like wind in my ears . I found by by doing several soft movements as I descend has allowed me to do it without pinching nose. I am by no means a deep diver but it’s how I do it

[@AdamFreediver]

Awesome James :) Sounds like you're working out no hands equalisation for yourself! :) that's fantastic!

[@videostop7564]

GET EDUCATED! Thanks Adam! Awesome video as always!

[@AdamFreediver]

Such a pleasure :)

[@pommelo9265]

woahhh this helped so much. placed a hand on my throat and felt my larynx going up and i think ive finally got it. stupid “tongue” videos

[@kathrinbacher9373]

Hi Adam, only discovered your channel recently. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with all of us! I have been trying to control my larynx (sticking out tongue, high and low voice pitch), however, do you have any tip on how to isolate the movement of the larynx? Will it come automatically eventually? Many thanks :-)

[@wiggidymig1335]

Really amazing Video! Can you show us a bit of your yoga routine? Or stretching?

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks Mick! To be honest I don't do any Yoga

[@rimotivri]

uw stuff are welcome. Cool.

[@uwe.koehler]

Hi Adam, great video and a lot of food for thought. I always found it difficult to equalize and that improved when moving to Frenzel. Still, it felt easier sometimes and I found that it was easier when I did a "deep" Frenzel. Up to now, I could only describe it as shifting up the air from deep down. I wonder if that has to do with lowering the larynx? Just did a few dry runs and I am not sure since my larynx moves all the time. Btw, I found that pulling my tongue (larynx) down will help me to open the Eustachian tubes. That might be part of the explanation, as well. Shame that I stopped working in MRI research. That would be really helpful now.

[@AdamFreediver]

hahahah that would be very helpful now!! for deeper frenzel you'll just be reverse packing to get the air into your mouth and if you're equalising while you lower the larynx I think that might have something to do with hands free rather than frenzel :)

[@umarkhan-ru9dz]

love this man

[@lawmiscellany1186]

i got vomitt~y trying to do this! lol thank you for this gem!

[@AndrewTernes]

Thanks, that was really interesting. I'm only a novice snorkeling/ free diver myself. Mostly self taught and only down to 5m or so. I found freediving later in life after I had sinus surgery to mitigate sleep apnea. So I had my tonsils and soft palate and uvala removed. I was wondering what your thoughts would be on the impact of having these bits removed on these techniques?

[@charlesmuller2359]

Question: Freedivers that are use to frenzel, reverse pack now and again to top up the air, some big some small reverse packs, how would you stop someone from reverse packing with mouthfill, at the end of your technique you should use p,t,k and H frenzel locks to move the air around, if someone is use to use these locks with frenzel and directly after do a small reverse pack as they are used to with frenzel(larynx moves up for lock then naturally moves down after for reverse pack, for people who move larynx and tongue together)to top up, what exercise would you suggest to stop these people from reverse packing after the frenzel locks t,kand h?

[@jimtherealjim3387]

The question was: Dear Adam, Technically I got Frenzel, but it works in land for one time or 2 and then I feel with suction between my tongue and soft palate also in my nose cavity. The air trapped between tongue and softpalate is beeing disappeared after the first equalization. Would you please help me in solving this issue? Thanks a lot

[@andreykarayvansky9549]

Wow, just 96 views, nice! Hello-hello, and thank you for your video!

[@AdamFreediver]

haha yeah it's long and dense! I don't think many people will watch it

[@sergeyzykov7581]

During my 100m dives with the mask I was focusing on relaxing the bottom part(larynx) . That's why I almost never swallow or get my soft palate locked. But maybe i was wrong and what really happened was a bit different. But relaxation of larynx is important anyway

[@andrewkunz1340]

The motion a person does while drinking from a straw might be a good cue exercise for dropping the larynx... and frenzel is pretty much just the opposite of that right?

[@AdamFreediver]

Too true Kunzburger!!!! once it gets broken down into its simple elements it just seems so simple haha

[@1mjh]

Hi Adam, I have a question regarding acent and use of a nose clip. When I try to dive with a nose clip It feels like there is pressure building up in my head on acent. It makes funny noises and I haven't been able to control It. Do you think lowering the larynx on ascent will stop the pressure from the air and the funny sounds in the head when using a nose clip? I find it uncomfortable and entertaining at the same time, making it hard to relax. My solution so far is to use a mask or to take the nose clip off.

[@AdamFreediver]

What you're feeling is the air expanding as you ascend. What you need to to is open your throat as you go back up. If you're not sure how to do it then just sniff as you ascend and you'll sniff the air back into your lungs

[@Alexx_1989]

If I’m doing frenzel and I used all the oxigen I had in my mouth, I can get more oxigen from my lungs to my mouth to keep using frenzel, until I have no more air in my lungs, am I describing the technique right?

[@Densic1986]

I’ve been bothered by not being to do Frenzel heads down for quite a while. I can do Frenzel heads up easily and double checked that I was indeed doing Frenzel by using belly tuck method you mentioned. I tired a few times doing larynx down first then up when heads down but have not been successful yet, will keep trying. Meanwhile any other tip or advice that I can try ?

[@AdamFreediver]

This seems like an issue with your soft palate, you can try to dive feel first for a few days in a row and this should improve the situation a lot when you flip over :)

[@zulfadliarshad6766]

What a novel information Adam. Just wait to be nominated for the Nobel laureate though. So, handsfree equalization in depth technique pretty please?

[@chadstclair7274]

He has a vid on hands free

[@AdamFreediver]

thank you :) I do have a handsfree video :) check it out

[@yannikhessen6755]

Hi Adam, impressive video; I was struggeling with frenzil for some time and your tip at 12:07 worked fine. But how can i find out if I am not "cheating" and just generate the pressure with my lungs?

[@AdamFreediver]

So welcome Yannik! The easiest way is to be able to equalise while holding a stomach vacuum :) (stomach sucked in) if you're not sure how to do that just search on youtube for how to do a stomach vacuum

[@yannikhessen6755]

@@AdamFreediver Turns out, that i am not actually cheating, thanks so much!!

[@tinytim8173]

Why not just swallow? When I swallow with my nose plugged depending on the position of my tongue it seems to do pretty much the same thing. Maybe my throat thing is different than most people but it seems to work well for me.

[@charlesclements4350]

I watch you and I listen to you but I still can not seem to use the tongue to get any air to go into the tubes. I can do it the old fashion way where I pinch the nose and gently try to blow through the nose but I can not get the tongue to push air into the tubes.

[@nealtyagi8074]

nice blue tiger

[@AdamFreediver]

hahaha a friend gave it to us. it's the only nice pillow we own

[@nealtyagi8074]

@@AdamFreediver fitting its manipulating it's tongue

[@AdamFreediver]

hahaha

[@Lil2Ghost]

Ever since I was young I was able to "pop" my ear or eaqualise just by moving my drums without the need of air, weird to explain but it works

[@AdamFreediver]

check out my video on no hands equaliation ;) that will help make sense of it all

[@Lil2Ghost]

Adam Freediver ok thanks 👍🏼

[@jimtherealjim3387]

Dear Adam, i wrote you on the frenzel Maneuver, could you please see. Regards

[@AdamFreediver]

on which platform did you write to me? It's hard to keep track of comments sometimes

[@SamueleFiorini]

Hi Adam, very interesting stuff, as usual, thanks so much for sharing it. Have you tried to get in touch with Andrea Zuccari (kzbin.info) to talk to him about your preliminary findings? I'm sure he would have some valuable opinion about that. Cheers

[@AdamFreediver]

Thanks Samuele :) I know Andrea :) Though he doesn't like making equalisation knowledge public so I don't think he'll take me up on that particular conversation

[@aegean9376]

:D niceeeeeeee yes ı am beginer diver ı normaly Equalis my ears at 20 meter now ı can reach 30+ meters

[@ronaldi9571]

Difficult to relate his commentary to the MRI moving images. More superimposed arrows would solve the problem.

[@nic_von4872]

Just shallow. When you shallow your larynx goes up.

[@AdamFreediver]

It's a slightly different movement that we are looking for for equalisation so it's not usually the best way to go but it does work :)

[@zahergeorge702]

I nearly vomited

[@AdamFreediver]

hahahaha that can happen haha

[@coltonwilliams7734]

Title should say what I learned, not learnt

[@coltonwilliams7734]

Learned is more professional

[@AdamFreediver]

Hahaha now that I'm a scientist I should learn how to spell haha