What about safety on board?
All staff on board are qualified and trained to handle any emergency. All Voodoo boats have lifejackets, a well equipped First Aid Kit and a DAN Emergency Oxygen Kit, which the staff are qualified and trained to use in case of emergency. Our main boat Red Sea Star also has a safety zodiac. All boats are equipped with marine radios and mobile phones. The boats do also have emergency communication signals like flares. Make sure you know where to find the safety equipment and what the emergency procedures are, which your staff will explain to you during a boat briefing on your first day. And if you have any questions please ask our staff.
What about safety during diving?
We will dive in small groups and you will be guided a PADI Professional (DiveMaster or higher). There is a dive site briefing prior to every dive and a buddy check is mandatory. You will always dive with a certified buddy, solo diving is not allowed. All dives are planned well within recreational limits.
What if I don’t feel good about a certain dive?
Than please inform our staff before, during or after the dive site briefing. If you are not comfortable with your buddy, the dive plan, not feeling well or have any doubt whatsoever, please talk about it with our dive staff before going into the water. It will always be your own responsibility whether you choose to dive or not.
Are there any dangerous sharks in Hurghada?
It is a misconception that sharks would be dangerous to people. Shark attacks are very, very rare and in the unlikely event it does happen, it is most probably caused by human intervention, changing their natural behaviour, (e.g. illegal shark feeding or spear fishing) There are sharks in Hurghada, but you have to be very lucky to encounter one. Sharks in general are very shy animals and will swim away if they notice a diver. Sharks are part of the reef, but unfortunately a rare sight because of illegal fishing and shark finning.
Is there any danger for unwanted contact with aquatic wild life?
Not likely if you make sure you have proper buoyancy control and never touch anything. By law it is forbidden to touch, break or collect corals, shells and animals. Fish feeding is also not allowed. Marine life can be poisonous or give you nasty cuts and infections, but will not attack or hurt you unprovoked. Jellyfish are an exception to this, they just float around and might touch you by accident. Luckily jellyfish are not a common threat in Hurghada’s waters, we do have some but usually they are quite harmless. Only every now and then we have some jellyfish with bad stinging cells, so always wear your mask and watch where you go. Please respect the marine wild life. Take only photos and leave only bubbles.
Can I do decompression dives with Voodoo Divers?
No! Decompression diving requires additional training and equipment according to the rules of ‘technical diving’. Voodoo Divers does not currently facilitate technical diving.
Note: Although we will always be alert on proper procedures and diver safety, every certified diver will still be responsible for his or her own actions and safety. The standards of safe diving practices must be followed at all times. Voodoo Divers will not be liable for the consequences of you not abiding by the general rules and practices of safe diving.