No compulsory vaccinations are required for travel to Egypt but hepatitis A, polio, typhoid and tetanus are recommended. The main health concern in Egypt is the heat so it is very important to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration (4 litres per day minimum is recommended). The sun is strong all year round so avoid sunburn by using a high factor sunscreen and protect your eyes with good quality sunglasses. It is a good idea to bring insect repellent, rehydration sachets and something against diarrhoea. Short term diarrhoea is a common complaint. Avoid ice in drinks, unpeeled fruit and clean your teeth with bottled water. Take extra care with cuts and scratches as the coral in the Red Sea can aggravate them causing slow healing. Pharmacies throughout Egypt are generally good and almost anything can be obtained without a prescription.
Anyone booked to do a diving course must complete the PADI Medical statement before the start of the course and daily divers will complete this on check-in at the dive centre. To save time we suggest you download the form and fill it out before arrival. If you answer “yes” to any of the statements then a diving doctor must sign you off for medical fitness before we can take you in the water.
In Sharm el Sheikh there are excellent doctors available, several hospitals and a modern hyperbaric chamber with a 24 hour call-out service for diving emergencies. There is also a hyperbaric chamber in Dahab. The chamber doctors speak several languages and have special training in how to treat decompression accidents, lung embolisms and all other diving related injuries. To support the chamber and make sure we keep them in the area, we ask all our divers to make a voluntary contribution of € 1 per diving day.
Emergency Numbers
| Hyperbaric chamber | Dr Adel: 0122 212 4292 |
| Dr Ahmed: 0122 333 1325 | |
| Sharm International Hospital | +20 69 3660893 /4/5 |
| Sharm Medical Centre | +20 69 3661744 |