A harrowing testimonial video from a solo female traveller, describing sexual harassment as part of a scuba-diving experience, has gone viral. The traveller, whose video gained millions of views on TikTok and Instagram, says the instructor posed as “buoyancy correction” and used frequent, inappropriate physical contact during a deep-sea dive.
"I Felt Paralyzed Underwater."
At least until I saw the 4-minute, emotional clip in which the traveller describes the vulnerability of her water that they are 20 meters under, they use only hand signals to communicate with one another, and a student must rely entirely on their instructor to survive.
“He would keep dragging me closer to him, around my waist, around my thighs, much more than is needed for safety,” she said. “At one point, the touch was clearly inappropriate. I wanted to scream, but underwater you can’t yell. I was paralyzed by the fear that if I responded or pushed him away, he might no longer watch my air supply or walk out of the way.”
The ‘Authority trap’ in adventure sports. The incident raises an increasingly pressing issue in the diving community: the power imbalance between instructors and students. And for solo travellers, this threat is an added one. Many of those victimized believe it is their word vs an experienced professional, without a “dive buddy” who sees the actions.
The harassment persisted on the boat ride back to shore, according to the guide, who made suggestive remarks about her “body suit” and “natural talent.” She was allegedly told she was “misinterpreting” typical safety procedures when she reported the incident to the dive center management.
Outrage Among Industry and Calls for Reform
The video sparked a flood of stories from other women in the diving industry and the hashtag #SafeDiving has spread from one part of the world to another. Professional diving groups and organisations like PADI and SSI, have now re-inforced pressure to:
- Require Female-Only Groups: Increase availability of female instructors for solo women travellers.
- Underwater Observation: Enforcing GoPro or camera mandates for instructors at their training sessions.
- Zero-Tolerance Databases: Establishing a single, clear registry of instructors who have been presented with verified complaints.
Advice for Solo Divers from Specialists
Safety pros advise solo travellers to trust their gut. “If a touch doesn’t feel right, it probably is,” says Sarah Jenkins, a seasoned dive master. Ordinary buoyancy assistance commonly requires a firm hold of the BCD (Buoyancy Control Device) or tank valve, however never with direct, lingering skin-to-skin contact over private areas.
The traveller has lodged a formal complaint with local tourism authorities, and is now encouraging others to "break the silence" so the ocean can be a safe place for all of us.
