What risk does failing to equalize your ears while descending pose?

Failing to equalize your ears while descending poses a significant risk of rupturing the eardrum. As a diver descends, the pressure increases, causing the air space in the middle ear to compress. If the pressure in the middle ear is not equalized with the pressure from the outside water, it leads to a situation known as barotrauma. This condition can result in a build-up of pressure that can cause severe pain and, ultimately, the eardrum to rupture.

Maintaining equalized pressure in the ears is critical for safe diving, as it protects the delicate structures of the ear from damage due to unequal pressure. Proper equalization techniques, such as the Valsalva maneuver or the Frenzel maneuver, are essential to prevent this risk and ensure the diver's safety and comfort underwater.