I am writing this review about an unfortunate experience that occurred while diving in Cozumel. On June 18, I went on a recreational dive with Pelagic Ventures Scuba guided by Dive Master, Fernando.
Prior to the dive, Fernando insisted on assembling my gear himself, telling me that I was on vacation and I shouldn't have to worry about it. He asked what weight I needed and I communicated 14 lbs based on prior dives. Fernando questioned this by saying, "you sure?" In which I replied, "yes." Once in the water, I could not descend properly. Instead of adding additional weight at the surface, Fernando physically pulled me down to depth.
Throughout the dive, I fought severe positive buoyancy having to kick head-down just to stay submerged in the current. At one point, I suffered an uncontrolled rapid ascent from 67 feet to 30 feet. Fernando approached me from behind three separate times during the dive doing something to my trim weight pockets. Toward the end of the dive, I struggled to maintain the 15-foot safety stop before being forced to the surface. During the surface interval, I immediatly began to feel ill. Once at the dock, I got off the boat and received care. Thank the Lord for a nurse who was also on the dock to help me. She had someone call for an ambulance which took me to a hospital to receive care for diagnosed DCI. I spent 5 hours in the hyperbaric chamber that day and another 2.5 hours the next. Only after the dive did I learn that Fernando only put 12 lbs of weight in my BCD without my knowledge!
When I confronted the owners about this incident, they dismissed the diagnosis saying "Cozumel hospitals put people in chambers all the time," and told me to get a second opinion. They looked at my dive computer claiming it was perfect dive.
Upon returning home, a specialist in my area confirmed that I absolutely suffered from DCI based on my symptoms. My symptoms included nausea, contraction and bending of my wrist, nystagmus, and numbness and tingling that traveled up all four extremities. Thankfully, my symptoms resolved after the hyperbaric chamber treatment.
The dive master physically forcing my descent was grossly negligent and dangerous and the owners' lack of accountability is very concerning. These are the facts. Think twice about booking with this dive operation. read more