The Importance of a Slow and Controlled Descent: Protecting Your Ears and Your Dive Experience

The Importance of a Slow and Controlled Descent

In the world of scuba diving, many divers spend a lot of time focusing on the excitement of what happens during the dive: the marine life, the buoyancy control, the navigation, or that picture-perfect wreck lying silently on the ocean floor. However, one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of every dive begins before you even get there: the descent. Whether you’re diving in a swimming pool for a confined water session or descending into the blue on a fun dive or advanced course, how you descend can make all the difference.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the only PADI Career Development Centre on Gili Air, the emphasis is always on a slow and controlled descent. From the first moments of the PADI Open Water Course to the most advanced technical dives, students, interns, and even fun divers are reminded to take their time on the way down. Why? Because safety, ear health, and dive comfort start from the very top of your dive.

Understanding What Happens During a Descent

Before we dive into the why, let’s quickly cover the what. When you begin your descent, the pressure around you increases. At sea level, we experience 1 atmosphere (ATA) of pressure. For every 10 meters of depth, another atmosphere of pressure is added. As the pressure increases, air spaces in your body—particularly your middle ears and sinuses—must equalize to match the surrounding pressure.

This process is natural but not automatic. Divers have to actively equalize their ears by techniques like swallowing, wiggling their jaws, or using the Valsalva maneuver (gently blowing against pinched nostrils). If the descent is too fast or uncontrolled, the pressure can increase faster than your body can equalize, resulting in discomfort, barotrauma, or even serious ear injuries such as eardrum rupture.

The Rule at Oceans 5 Gili Air: Take Your Time

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the teaching team emphasizes a golden rule: “There is no need to rush to the bottom.” Every instructor, divemaster, and assistant is trained to teach and demonstrate slow and controlled descents, regardless of the dive site or dive level. Before every pool session or ocean dive, instructors take time to brief their students clearly on the importance of descending slowly and equalizing early and often.

Students are encouraged to listen to their bodies and communicate if something doesn’t feel right. They’re reminded that descending is not a race; it’s a critical transition phase where safety and comfort must take priority.

Why It Matters for Every Level of Diver

Many divers think of equalization and controlled descents as something they only need to worry about during their PADI Open Water Course. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Every diver, from beginner to professional, should approach the descent with the same care and attention.

1. Open Water Courses

For brand new divers, a slow descent sets the tone for good diving habits. It’s also the most vulnerable stage of their diving education. Ears are not yet conditioned to frequent pressure changes, and students are still learning how to manage buoyancy and underwater orientation. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, instructors spend time in the pool teaching students to equalize in shallow water and control their descent using their inflator and breathing. By the time students get to the ocean, they’re already familiar with the idea that slow is safe.

2. Advanced and Specialty Courses

Even experienced divers can experience ear issues if they rush the descent. During deep dives, wreck penetrations, or drift dives where currents are involved, the temptation to descend quickly and “get into position” is common. However, skipping the basics can lead to discomfort or injuries that could have been prevented.

In the Advanced Open Water Course at Oceans 5, instructors make it clear: you must always equalize, no matter how many dives you’ve done. Specialty courses like Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, or Drift Diver all include review of descent techniques, especially because descents in these conditions can be more challenging due to depth, visibility, or movement in the water.

3. Professional Courses

Professional divers are not immune to ear problems. In fact, because they dive so frequently, they need to be even more cautious. During the Divemaster Course and Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Oceans 5, candidates are trained to model proper descent behavior. A dive professional who rushes the descent is not only risking their own safety but also setting a poor example for students.

During the IDC, Course Directors Sander and Waz stress that instructors must control the descent of the group—not the other way around. Leading by example is key, and that begins from the moment the group leaves the surface.

4. Fun Divers

Even if you’re not taking a course, the descent is no less important. Fun divers at Oceans 5 are always reminded during briefings to equalize early and often. The dive guides, who are experienced and well-trained, monitor guests during descents and provide support if anyone struggles. Nobody is forced to rush or descend if they need a moment. This creates a more relaxed atmosphere and helps guests avoid stress or ear discomfort.

The Risks of Rushing the Descent

Descending too fast isn’t just uncomfortable—it can be dangerous. Here are some common risks associated with rapid or uncontrolled descents:

• Ear Barotrauma: The most common injury among divers, often caused by failure to equalize properly.
• Vertigo or Disorientation: Rapid pressure changes can cause a temporary imbalance in the inner ear, leading to dizziness or confusion.
• Sinus Squeeze: If your sinuses are congested, a quick descent can create a painful squeeze or even cause nosebleeds.
• Overexertion: Fighting to control buoyancy during a fast descent can tire a diver before the dive has even begun.
• Lost Buddy Contact: Fast descents can cause a buddy team to separate, increasing the risk of miscommunication or diver separation.
• Reef or Bottom Collisions: Descending too fast can cause a diver to crash into the bottom, damaging delicate coral or stirring up sediment that reduces visibility.

How Oceans 5 Gili Air Teaches a Proper Descent

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the descent is more than just a means to get to depth—it’s a fundamental skill, taught carefully and reinforced throughout every course. Here are some of the ways this dive center builds good descent habits:

1. Clear Pre-Dive Briefings

Before every dive, instructors explain the descent plan in detail. This includes:

• The expected descent method (free descent, reference line, or descent along the slope)
• Communication signals related to equalization or discomfort
• Reminders to equalize before feeling pressure
• What to do if equalization isn’t working (signal, ascend slightly, try again)

2. Descent Practice in the Pool

During the pool sessions of the Open Water Course, students practice slow descents and learn to control their buoyancy with their BCDs and breathing. Instructors use visual and verbal cues to reinforce correct posture and timing.

3. Controlled Ocean Descents

On training dives, the descent is always done in a controlled group. Instructors descend slightly ahead of the group, monitoring each diver’s progress, hand signals, and comfort. Nobody is ever rushed to the bottom.

4. Buddy Checks and Equalization Drills

Part of the pre-dive routine includes confirming that all equipment is functioning and that divers are comfortable. Instructors may ask students or interns to signal that they’re equalizing and breathing slowly before beginning the descent.

5. Positive Reinforcement

When students successfully complete a controlled descent, instructors celebrate it. Reinforcing good habits with praise helps solidify them.

Listening to Your Body

One of the most important lessons any diver can learn is to listen to their body. If your ears aren’t equalizing—stop. If you feel pressure—ascend slightly. If you feel uncomfortable—communicate. The ocean isn’t going anywhere, and there’s no trophy for reaching the bottom first.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, instructors encourage every diver to take ownership of their dive. This includes understanding that no two dives—or bodies—are the same. A diver who could descend easily yesterday may struggle today due to a mild cold or congestion. Taking time to assess and respect what your body is telling you is a sign of a smart and responsible diver.

Building Better Divers from the Surface Down

By emphasizing a slow and controlled descent from the very beginning, Oceans 5 Gili Air helps create divers who are not only safer but also more confident and aware. That calm, steady approach extends into every aspect of diving: buoyancy control, air consumption, communication, and awareness of the environment.

Divers trained at Oceans 5 quickly learn that every descent is an opportunity—to practice mindfulness, to care for your body, to maintain control, and to start the dive on the right foot (or fin). Whether it’s the crystal-clear waters of the Gili Islands or a training session in the pool, the principles remain the same: descend slowly, equalize often, stay aware.

Slow is Smart, Safe, and Sustainable

Scuba diving offers a window into another world, but getting there requires care and intention. The descent may seem like a small part of the dive, but it has a big impact on safety, comfort, and dive success. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, this part of the dive is never rushed, never overlooked, and never compromised.

From beginner to pro, fun diver to instructor candidate, every diver is taught that a slow and controlled descent isn’t optional—it’s essential. By instilling this habit early and reinforcing it often, Oceans 5 helps divers protect their ears, improve their confidence, and enjoy every moment beneath the surface.

So next time you slip beneath the waves, remember: your dive doesn’t start at the bottom—it starts the moment you leave the surface. Take your time. Equalize early. And descend like a pro.