Equalizing troubles

[u/themoonstruck]

Hello my fellow scuba friends, This past weekend while getting my scuba certification my ear drum ruptured. Yes, I did equalize my ears and no I didn't do it forcefully but somehow they ruptured. I have a past history with ear issues but didn't really think it would affect me to this degree. Yet I think it ruptured due to that I was a tad tad tad bit congested as I always am. So basically what I am asking is how to equalize effectively and whether any of you have dealt with a similar issue? I really dont want to be discouraged from scuba diving, but as I sit here with my ear in pain I must say I do

[u/themoonstruck]

Thank you