Snorkelling is by far the most popular water related activity in the Red Sea judging by the sheer number of snorkeling trips undertaking daily by thousands of Red Sea tourists who come to enjoy the perfect weather and the wonderful corals.

As such and to ensure the safety of our visitors and equally important to protect the fragile coral reefs in the face of such heavy use, it is of vital importance that snorkelling trips are conducted in accordance with safety and environmental guidelines.

To this end the Association having laid down such guidelines as supported by HE Governor of the Red Sea decree number 137/2001 which amongst other items stipulate that an accredited snorkeling guide must accompany a maximum of 15 guests, has embarked on an ambitious training program to train young Egyptians to become professional snorkeling guide.

The first such course was completed in 2002 and produced some 150 guides; this was followed in December 2004 by two programs with another 51 guides coming on stream.

These programs were conducted by Alaa Abdel Galil (Director of the Association in charge of Training Committee), each course took over 40 hours of theory, pool and open water training and focused on:

Life saving techniques
snorkelling skills a ccident management CPR and first aid - conducted by Dr Hossam Nassef (hyperbaric expert and Director of the Association.
Best environmental practices (conducted by Environmental specialist Mohamed Habib, Director of the Association),
attitude and guest relations, risk management (documentation, waivers, boat list etc.).

These programs are an on going effort which will continue to be developed over the coming year, it is hoped that it will be a major contributing factor to the increased safety and to the heightened awareness for the users to protect our environment.

On February 22nd, HE General Saad Abo Rida Governor of the Red Sea approved suggestions submitted by the Red Sea Association for some modifications to rules and regulations dealing with safari and diving activities in the Red Sea that took into account analysis of market indicators and reactions

The rules as modified and approved by HE the Governor, now read as follows:

1- Diving guest to guide ratio.

A- Marine Park safaris (Brothers, Zabargad , Daedalus, Rocky Is.)
- One guide for a maximum of every eight diving guests.
- Minimum one crew member to be responsible for surface cover, such crew member(s) to be certified in O2 providing and MFA.
- Dive guides must have a valid Red Sea Association professional ID card.

B - NON Marine Park safaris.

- One guide for a maximum of every 12 (twelve) diving guests.
- A minimum of one crew member for surface cover, such member(s) to be certified in O2 providing and MFA.
- Dive guides must have a valid Red Sea Association professional ID card.

2 - Prerequisites for diving guests for Marine Park safaris;
- A minimum of 50 logged dives.
- A self declaration medical form duly signed by the diving guest.
- Valid insurance cover against diving accidents from a reputable company.

3 - Prerequisites for diving guest for NON Marine Park safaris:

- No minimum number of logged dives required.
- Self declaration medical form duly signed by diving guest.
- Valid insurance cover against diving accidents by a reputable company.

4 - Safety equipment for the safari dive guide (all safaris for Marine Park and NON Marine Park).

- Surface marker buoy.
- Strobe and torch.
- Mirror or similar light reflecting device.

5 - Safety equipment for the safari diving guest (Marine Park and NON Marine Park).

- Surface marker buoy.
- One torch for each buddy pair (in daytime dives).

6 - Additional safety equipment for safari boats.
- A minimum of two binoculars on each safari boat for surface cover.
- A minimum of one zodiac on all safari boats (NON marine parks as well).
- Each safari boat (Marine Parks and NON Marine Park) must have a number of life rafts corresponding with the number of its passenger load.

7 - Daily diving rules (in addition to what is currently in place by dive centres such as medical form, liability release etc).

- One guide for every 12 certified divers (with 25 dives or more).
- One guide for every 8 beginners (less than 25 dives).

- Dive guides must have a valid Red Sea Association professional ID card.
A grace period of three months is allowed for dive centres and live-aboard boats to make necessary arrangements (if need be) to be in full compliance with the above.
We would like to reiterate that all efforts expended by the Red Sea Association and the strong support of HE Governor of the Red Sea aims only to improve the safety of our diving guests, and enhance the quality and reputation of the Red Sea as a leading dive destination.
We would also like to seize this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation for all those who took the time to send us their comments and suggestions, and please do not hesitate to let us know if you need any further information.