I got back from my trip with Orca Dive Club to the Red Sea with partial hearing loss in both ears + mid ear damage. This medical condition persists since over 35 days and counting, and I’m prohibited from inter alia flying or swimming until it is resolved. My ENT’s inform me that the injury is caused due to bad equalisation (I couldn’t descend due to buoyancy so I was pushed / pulled down to approx. 5 metres in a single motion, at which depth I would equalise for the first time x 3 dives per day x 5 days).

After the first few dives, I was (a) dutifully reminded by my instructors (albeit without solution) that I was an advanced open water diver and informed that the least expected from me was buoyancy control; and (b) accused of hampering the revenue streams of the local dive company (with which Orca Dive Club had tied up), as they had signed guests up for specialised courses which they would not be able to fulfil if special attention had to be devoted to me. I felt so pressured at all times to keep up with the group, that I ignored pain and discomfort just to avoid being reprimanded again.

Having dived in the Andamans, Tahiti, S.A., Thailand etc. with a variety of dive clubs, I have never faced such lack of professionalism or care. Diving is a high risk activity and team support and a buddy system forms its very foundation. I found there to be significant lapses and I wouldn’t recommend this for anybody who is not a regular diver and not in complete control of oneself underwater.

Given the health risk and the loss of hearing I have suffered, I am writing this as my personal experience and my duty to inform.

I was a late joinee but was quite impressed with the promptness of response. The whole trip was smooth and uneventful. The diving was out of the world. It is the Mecca for Scuba Divers.

The idea for the group to meet before the dive was excellent. Great T-Shirts as well.