new diving regulations in Red Sea

[mania]

This is what I got from the Red Sea Association. The new regulations were implemented mainly after the famous story of lost 12 divers.

Please find hereunder summary of Hurghada Governor of the Red Sea circular dealing with guides diving guides and instructors:

1- liveaboard safari trips ( North, south, area 1 and area 2 )

A-Guide to guest ratio

One guide for every 8 guests, plus one guide for surface support and supervision.
Each guide must have a valid Red Sea association professional ID card.

B- Requirements of live aboard guest

- Medical certificate (fit for diving) issued less than one year before start of trip.
- Minimum of 50 logged dive.
- diving accident insurance from a reputable company.

C- Safety equipment

Each dive guide must carry:
1-SMB
2-reflective mirror
3-strobe and Troche

Live aboard guest should have
1-SMB
2- Each buddy team at least one torch even in morning dives.

2-Daily diving trips;

A-Guide to guest ratio

One guide to every ten divers (experienced divers with minimum of 25 logged dives)

One guide for every six inexperienced divers (With less than 25 logged dives)
Each guide must have a valid Red Sea association professional ID card...

B-requirements of diving guests:


1- Log book
2- C-card
3- Medical statement issued less than 12 months before.
4- Diving accident insurance.

So all of you - please be aware of these regulations - after all they are made for our safety.
Mania

 

[clive francis]

This is what I got from the Red Sea Association. The new regulations were implemented mainly after the famous story of lost 12 divers.

Please find hereunder summary of Hurghada Governor of the Red Sea circular dealing with guides diving guides and instructors:

1- liveaboard safari trips ( North, south, area 1 and area 2 )

A-Guide to guest ratio

One guide for every 8 guests, plus one guide for surface support and supervision.
Each guide must have a valid Red Sea association professional ID card.

B- Requirements of live aboard guest

- Medical certificate (fit for diving) issued less than one year before start of trip.
- Minimum of 50 logged dive.
- diving accident insurance from a reputable company.

C- Safety equipment

Each dive guide must carry:
1-SMB
2-reflective mirror
3-strobe and Troche

Live aboard guest should have
1-SMB
2- Each buddy team at least one torch even in morning dives.

2-Daily diving trips;

A-Guide to guest ratio

One guide to every ten divers (experienced divers with minimum of 25 logged dives)

One guide for every six inexperienced divers (With less than 25 logged dives)
Each guide must have a valid Red Sea association professional ID card...

B-requirements of diving guests:


1- Log book
2- C-card
3- Medical statement issued less than 12 months before.
4- Diving accident insurance.

So all of you - please be aware of these regulations - after all they are made for our safety.
Mania

it is on divernet as well.

doesn't say what happens to the operators who flout the new law though.

it also stops anyone going on a liveaboard and starting their diving career.

50 dives doesn't sound a lot, but you would be surprised the amount of divers, especially in the red sea that have less than 50 dives.

i don't think this rule makes it any safer, just limited.

 

[vicky]

IMHO, check dives often offer a much better insight of the diver's capabilites raather than just looking at the number of logged dives.
Carrying an SMB and torch is not a bad idea.

If they want to increase diver's safety- better keep control on boat operators that they have radios, life jackets for all passengers, 100% Oxygen tanks (in working condition), signaling devices (flares) etc. etc.

 

[mania]

According to what Kalim (the chief of the Red Sea Association) wrote me there are also separate regulations for boat owners and operators. Bit on the other hand those of us who know Egypt know also very well that regulations are on one hand but the reality sometimes is a different thing.
Clive is also right I've seen so many divers in Egypt that did their OWD course 2 years before and they came back diving with 5 dives in their log book....
Some of them were even demanding going to Tiran....
Mania

 

[moraygirl]

Regarding the medical certificate, Is that the self-certification form where you tick the boxes and sign that you are fit to dive (I think its a PADI form but I'm not sure) or must you now go and see a doctor or dive specialist doctor to get a fit to dive certification?

 

[gehadoski]

you are right mania, I am sorry that I am saying that, but this is the truth. Rules and regulations are something and applying them sometimes is a different story.

 

[mania]

Regarding the medical certificate, Is that the self-certification form where you tick the boxes and sign that you are fit to dive (I think its a PADI form but I'm not sure) or must you now go and see a doctor or dive specialist doctor to get a fit to dive certification?

As I understood it should be a medical certificate from MD. For me it's not much of a problem because in Poland they are obligatory - to dive you have to have it, and renew it every year.
Mania

 

[moraygirl]

Thanks, Mania,
I think in England you have to pay a hefty fee to see a dive specialist, but I guess I'll have to find out properly if I want to dive in the red sea! ;-)

 

[Marek K]

Thanks, Mania,
I think in England you have to pay a hefty fee to see a dive specialist, but I guess I'll have to find out properly if I want to dive in the red sea! ;-)

As far as I know, it doesn't have to be a dive specialist. It can be any old family-practice general practitioner.

And doesn't have to be a full-blown medical exam report, either. I had basically a one-line memo last year from my doctor, saying that I didn't have any conditions that would be counter-indicative to scuba diving. It was accepted at the Red Sea without a second glance.

--Marek

 

[mania]

I just got an email concerning modification of the regulations. So here it goes:

Further to our earlier e-mail of last month, which relayed safari and diving rules issued by HE governor of the Red Sea, we are pleased to advise that HE the governor has approved some modifications that were submitted by the association based on review and analysis of market reaction and indicators.
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 , Deadilus, rocky)

- 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 centers 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 centers and live a board boats to make necessary arrangements ( if need be ) to be in full compliance with the above.

Finally, we would like to reiterate that all efforts expended by the red sea association and the strong support of HE governor of the red Seas aim 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.

Sincerely.
Karim Helal
Chairman