When equalizing pressure during ascent, divers should do which of the following?

Equalizing pressure during ascent is essential for divers to avoid discomfort and potential injury to the ears and sinuses due to the change in pressure. The correct method, which is pinching the nose and swallowing, allows divers to effectively open the Eustachian tubes, enabling air to flow into the middle ear and equalize the pressure with the surrounding environment.

When divers ascend, the external pressure decreases, and without equalization, the pressure inside the ears can become greater than the pressure outside, leading to barotrauma. By pinching the nose and swallowing, divers create a pressure difference that helps balance the pressures, making it a safe and effective technique.

This method contrasts with other options that do not effectively facilitate equalization. For example, holding one's breath can lead to serious lung overexpansion injuries as the expanding air in the lungs cannot escape. Rapidly exhaling through the mouth does not address the pressure in the ears and can instead complicate the equalization process. Likewise, descending further underwater is counterproductive to the goal of ascending and can exacerbate any existing pressure issues in the ears.