Terrifying experience - Air shut off at 16m/Equipment Malfunction:

Unfortunately I don’t have a positive review for Adventure Bay. In July 2020, my partner (a divemaster) and myself (a dive instructor) went aboard the Adventure Bay charter for the bottom cage experience. During our second dive at 16m depth, the air shut off completely due to an issue with the compressor. When the cage captain went to open the emergency air cylinder in the cage, nothing happened - as she had forgotten to open a switch during the pre-dive check. It was the scariest moment of our lives, and were only saved by the fact that we didn’t panic until the airflow resumed as normal. Once back on the boat I was completely panicked and crying, and the owner joked that I “must be happy to have [my partner] back on board alive”. This was tasteless and unprofessional.

Why am I only writing this now? Because originally I felt that after my correspondence with the company, there was nothing more I could do. However, since this event, I have had serious panic attacks underwater. I am a dive instructor with 800+ dives, and now I can’t do my job properly. This experience has tainted my passion and love for diving. It will be a challenge to get back to how I was before.

After further research, talking to fellow commercial and recreational divers, and reflecting on my experience, I strongly believe the surface supplied system implemented by Adventure Bay is unsafe and unfit for use. I urge you to consider this before booking with this company.

I would hate for anyone else to experience this fear - which is why I’m speaking out now. I wish I had done it sooner.