Women aren’t even safe underwater? Viral scuba video shows diver defending herself from instructor

A video shared by a solo female traveler documenting an uncomfortable experience during a scuba diving lesson is prompting renewed conversation online about safety, consent, and power dynamics in adventure tourism.

The woman, who says she was completing her Open Water scuba diving course, posted a clip showing what she describes as inappropriate behavior from her male instructor during the training dive. In the footage, the instructor can be seen touching different parts of her body in ways she later said had nothing to do with diving safety or instruction.

Within seconds, the diver physically pushes his hand away and repositions it, clearly signaling discomfort.

In the caption accompanying the video, she explained that the moment was particularly difficult because of the unique power dynamic that exists underwater.

“When you are underwater there is a huge power dynamic,” she wrote. “The instructor controls the dive and many people feel like they have to stay quiet or go along with whatever is happening.”

Scuba instructors typically guide beginners through the dive, control pacing, monitor oxygen levels, and handle emergencies. For new divers — especially those still learning the basics — that level of authority can make it difficult to challenge inappropriate behavior in the moment.

The traveler said she decided to share the clip not simply to call out the incident, but to warn others who may be learning to dive while traveling alone.

“A lot of people begin diving while traveling solo and may not know what is normal and what is not,” she wrote. “Professional dive instruction should always be respectful, professional, and focused on learning and safety.”

Her message was simple but firm: divers have the right to set boundaries — even underwater.

“You do not have to tolerate anything that makes you uncomfortable,” she wrote, encouraging other women to trust their instincts, push someone away if necessary, or even end the dive altogether if something feels wrong.

The video, filmed in Hurghada, Egypt — one of the world’s most popular diving destinations on the Red Sea, also included advice for travelers to carefully research dive centers before booking courses.

Hurghada hosts hundreds of thousands of divers each year, from beginners taking their first certification to experienced divers exploring coral reefs and shipwrecks. The region is known for its extensive diving infrastructure and internationally certified instructors, but like any tourism industry, standards can vary between operators.

The traveler emphasized that her experience should not discourage people from diving entirely, noting that there are many reputable and professional operators in the area. She also said she personally knows a dive company in Hurghada that she would trust and recommend to others.

Still, the clip has resonated widely online, particularly among women who travel solo, a group that has been steadily growing in recent years.

For many viewers, the incident highlights a broader issue: safety concerns for women don’t disappear simply because the environment changes — whether on land, in the air, or even underwater.

The diver’s closing message captured that sentiment directly.

“Solo female travelers deserve to feel safe everywhere,” she wrote, “including underwater.”