u/Reasonable-Diet4222

Hello freedivers! I am looking for a free-diving partner to practice in the sea in Genoa, Italy. At best someone more experienced than just beginner level, but let's see. 🐠🐟

Hello free divers! Beginner here, I am still learning how to equalize.

Today I have been practicing using the chain of a buoy in the sea. The chain I estimated being approx. 9-10 meters long. First I started diving pulling myself down the chain with my head towards the sea bottom. However, at approx 5-6 meters I started feeling my head exploding. Tried to equalize at different depths both by swallowing and nose pinching, but no luck. I then switched action to the situation you see in the picture, so head up and pulling myself down towards the sea bottom. Here equalisation felt it was working. I was mostly playing with air in my mouth (without breathing out), swallowing saliva and pinching nose. I could reach the sea bottom in a couple of attempts (first time there, it was amazing).

I tried again and again diving down with my head towards the sea bottom but failed consistently at around 5 meters. I realized that the only way to equalise was at that depth to turn upright, pinch my nose + swallowing saliva...

Any help?

PS: while swimming with my head down, I tried keeping it the most aligned with my back possible.