The boring, important stuff.
DiveRED opened in 2024, but the crew running the boats has been guiding Hurghada dives since 2014. Here is exactly how we keep every diver on our boats safe — kit, ratios, procedures, and the emergency plan we rehearse but hope never to use.
Six things we won’t compromise on.
Oxygen on every boat
A full emergency O₂ kit sits on every boat, every dive day. Our crews are trained in DAN Emergency Oxygen Provider procedures and run a checklist before the lines come off.
Insured to dive
Every diver on every dive is covered by short-term DAN dive accident cover for the duration of their booking. It is included in the price — you do not need to tick an upgrade box.
EFR-current instructors
Every instructor holds a current Emergency First Response (or equivalent) certification and refreshes it annually. Primary and secondary care, AED use, and oxygen administration are drilled, not just paperworked.
Conservative ratios
1:4 maximum student-to-instructor on courses. 1:6 maximum on guided fun dives. Often much lower. If the conditions are not right for the ratio, we split the group or reschedule — we do not stretch it.
Conservative profiles
No-deco limits respected with margin, mandatory three-minute safety stops, maximum one deep dive per day on multi-dive trips, and no decompression diving on recreational courses.
Eco-conscious diving
No fish feeding. No coral touching. No chasing wildlife for a photo. Reef-safe sunscreen on every boat and a briefing on every dive site about what lives there and how to behave around it.
What’s on board before we leave the dock.
- DAN emergency oxygen kit (constant flow + demand valve)
- AED defibrillator on board
- Full first-aid kit restocked before every trip
- Marine VHF radio and GPS plotter
- Life jackets for every passenger plus child sizes
- Spare regulator and BCD for emergency loans
- Tank banger + SMB for every guided diver
- Shade, fresh water, fruit and warm towels — because comfort is a safety factor too
Our emergency procedure, in order.
- 1 On the boat
Captain calls the incident. One instructor becomes primary carer, another runs communications, a third manages other guests. Everyone has a rehearsed role.
- 2 Stabilise and oxygen
High-concentration oxygen administered immediately if decompression illness is suspected, vitals monitored, position chosen for airway management.
- 3 Call for help
Marine radio or satellite phone to Hurghada coast guard, simultaneous call to DAN Europe 24h hotline and our shore team.
- 4 Transfer
Fastest boat back to Hurghada Marina, ambulance meeting us at the dock. From Marina the ride to the nearest hyperbaric chamber is minutes, not hours.
- 5 Recompression if needed
The Hurghada hyperbaric chamber at the Military Naval Hospital is operational 24/7. We know it, they know us, and DAN Europe coordinates the case.
Safety FAQ.
How experienced are your instructors?
Our team has been guiding dives in the Red Sea since 2014 — over a decade on these reefs before DiveRED even opened in 2024. Every instructor holds current ratings with at least one of PADI, SSI or SDI, plus annual EFR refreshers.
Am I insured while diving with you?
Yes. Every diver booked with DiveRED is covered by short-term DAN dive accident cover for the full duration of their booking, at no extra charge. We recommend you also hold your own travel insurance that includes scuba diving.
What happens if the weather turns?
Safety comes before schedules. If wind or sea state push past our limits we move to a sheltered site, swap to a shore-based activity, or — if neither works — reschedule the day at no cost. We never push a boat out to make a booking fit.
Where is the nearest hyperbaric chamber?
The closest recompression facility is the Hurghada Hyperbaric Medical Center at the Military Naval Hospital, operational 24 hours. We work directly with DAN Europe for case coordination in the rare event one is needed.
Do I need a medical form?
Yes. Before any in-water activity you will complete the standard RSTC/PADI/SSI medical questionnaire. If you tick yes on any condition — including common ones like asthma or heart medication — we need a doctor sign-off before diving. We can point you to a local diving doctor if you arrive without one.
Have a safety question?
Ask us anything. We would rather answer a nervous question over WhatsApp than meet a nervous diver at the dock.