Rules &
Regulations

Required rules and regulations to get CDWS services

Snorkeling Technical Manager Registration Form

12 April 2023
Snorkeling technical manager registration form, requirements, and declaration

Decree no. 420 of 2018

10 April 2023
Ministerial decree No. 420 of 2018 amending some provisions of the common basic regulations for the Egyptian Tourism Federation, issued by Ministerial Resolution No. 630 of 2017.

Executive Regulations of law no. 8 of 2022 On the enactment of the Hotel and Tourist Establishments

23 February 2023
Executive Regulations of law no. 8 of 2022 On the enactment of the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Act

Insurance policy for diving and snorkeling professionals

31 January 2023

As per the recent decision taken by the CDWS’ board members, it has been decided that getting insurance for diving and snorkeling accidents is a new requirement for requesting or renewing the CDWS ID card of the diving and snorkeling professionals. The insurance policy should go in accordance with the following requirements:   

1- The insurance policy must be by one of the insurance companies that are approved by the Egyptian General Financial Control Authority.   

2- The policy coverage must fulfill all the conditions stated by the CDWS.   

3- The minimum insurance coverage must comply with the stated amounts by the CDWS.   

4- The insurance policy document should be submitted in Arabic or English only, and therefore any document issued in another language must be translated into Arabic or English by an accredited translation office  

Fish Table by Mr. Andrey Ryanskiy

22 June 2022

Red Sea fish ID table: The most shallow-water species by Mr. Andrey Ryanskiy

The CDWS Professional ID card agreement

12 June 2022
The rules and regulations of the CDWS when submitting for the CDWS card through the online portal, this agreement must be read and acknowledged by the applicant in order to submit the card application. 

Law no. 8 of 2022

10 April 2022
Issuing law no. 8 of 2022, On the enactment of the Hotel and Tourist Establishments Act.

First aid evaluation sheet for water sports centers

06 March 2022
First aid evaluation sheet for water sports centers -for all activities except Snorkeling-, and for non-professionals working in Diving and Water Sports centers and Safari Boats.

Introduction to the CDWS

10 November 2021

This document includes: 

  • Establishing the CDWS.
  • The General Assembly of the Chamber of Diving and Water Sports and its members.
  • The most important roles and responsibilities that the CDWS aims to achieve.

List of biodegradable suppliers

09 August 2021
List of suppliers offering biodegradable and reusable alternatives to single-use plastics available in Egypt

Single-use plastic ban guidelines for diving and water sports centers

08 August 2021
Single-use plastic ban guidelines for diving and water sports centers 

Track your plastic footprint by the Earth Day Network

06 August 2021
A quick exercise to do with your crew: Track your plastic footprint by the Earth Day Network 

Recommendations for tackling plastics during Covid-19 recovery in tourism

05 August 2021
Recommendations for tackling plastics during Covid-19 recovery in tourism by the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative 

Tourism plastic reduction factsheet and guide by the Sustainable Hotel Alliance

04 August 2021

Tourism plastic reduction factsheet and guide by the Sustainable Hotel Alliance

Plastic Reduction in the Tourism Sector Chart by the World Travel and Tourism Council

03 August 2021

Plastic Reduction in the Tourism Sector Chart by the World Travel and Tourism Council 

Report Environmental Violations

28 June 2021
As part of the CDWS collaboration with Eco Egypt Experiences' marine conservation campaign, we made available the attached posters with a QR code to report environmental violations. 

Adopt a Reef Guideline

31 January 2021

Adopt A Reef Guideline

Guidelines to the code of conduct - Combined

09 December 2020
Guidelines to the code of conduct - Combined, Arabic - English

Green Fins guidelines to the code of conduct - Diver

09 December 2020
Green Fins guidelines to the code of conduct - Diver, Arabic -English

Green Fins guidelines to the code of conduct - Dive operator and staff

09 December 2020
Green Fins guidelines to the code of conduct - Dive operator and staff, Arabic - English

Ecological significance of icons explained

09 December 2020
Ecological significance of icons explained, Arabic - English

Snorkeling Technical Manager Training Agenda

29 November 2020
Snorkeling Technical Manager Training Agenda

Module 1:Snorkel Knowledge Development Outline

28 November 2020
Module 1:Snorkel Knowledge Development Outline includes information about physics, physiology, environment and rescue. 

Module 2:Snorkel Supervision and risk management outline

27 November 2020

Module 2:Snorkel Supervision and risk management outline, this module includes information about snorkeling equipment, environmental considerations, emergency care, and safety considerations.

Module 3: Hospitality and Professionalism

26 November 2020
Module 3: Hospitality and professionalism

Module 4: Environmental Protection, Conservation and Related Laws

25 November 2020
Module 4: Environmental Protection, Conservation and Related Laws

Module 5: Primary and Secondary Care Overview

24 November 2020
Module 5: Primary and secondary care overview, emergency first response primary care (CPR) and secondary care (First Aid)

Module 6: ISO 13289

23 November 2020
Module 6: ISO 13289 standards and requirements for the conduct of snorkelling excursions

Module 7: A: Manual and Protocol of Audits for Water Sports Centers (Snorkelling Service Providers)

22 November 2020
Module 7: A: Manual and Protocol of Audits for Water Sports Centers (Snorkelling Service Providers)

Module 7: B: Emergency Plan

21 November 2020
Module 7: B: Emergency Plan

Module 7: C: Medical and Responsibility Declaration

20 November 2020
Module 7: C: Medical and Responsibility Declaration, risk awareness statement for recreational snorkelers 

Module 7: D: Information Sheet for Snorkeling Medical Screening

19 November 2020
Module 7: D: Information Sheet for Snorkeling Medical Screening 

Module 7: E: Equipment Inventory Snorkel

18 November 2020
Module 7: E: Equipment Inventory Snorkel

Module 7: F: Boat List

17 November 2020
Module 7: F: Boat List

Module 7: G:Technical Requirement for Water Sport Center

16 November 2020
Module 7: G:Technical Requirement for Water Sport Center

Module 8: Penalties Manual

14 November 2020
Module 8: Penalties Manual

Curriculum Introduction

10 November 2020
The reasons and the structure of the training program, 

Environmental Briefing Guidelines

20 October 2020
Environmental briefing guidelines for diving, snorkelling, and boat activities.

Safari Boat Crew Course Instructions

18 October 2020
Course registration instructions, rules and regulations for the attendees during the course and instructions after completing the course. 

Part 1: Introduction to the natural resources of the Red Sea

18 October 2020
Part 1: Introduction to the natural resources of the Red Sea 

Part 2: Ecosystems in the Red Sea

18 October 2020
Part 2: Ecosystems in the Red Sea

Part 3: Marine Debris

18 October 2020
Part 3: Marine Debris

Part 4: Fishing and Disturbing Marine Life at Diving Sites

18 October 2020
Part 4: Fishing and distributing marine life at the diving sites 

Part 5: Fixed boat mooring systems

18 October 2020
Part 5: Fixed boat mooring systems

Part 6: Environmental guidelines laws and legislations

18 October 2020
Part 6: Environmental guidelines laws and legislations

Part 7: Art of hospitality and reporting irregularities

18 October 2020
Part 7: Art of hospitality and reporting irregularities 

Beach and dive clean-up guidelines

18 October 2020
The Chamber of Diving and Water Sports encourages helping to protect our coastal and marine environment by organizing beach and dive clean-ups. You can also help by filling out the Ocean Trash Collection Form.  We recommend you apply the best practice guidelines during all clean-ups. The environmental department at the CDWS will help with the organization of larger clean-ups. You can share your pictures & data directly to environment@cdws.travel, we promote your efforts.  

Single-use plastic guidelines for diving centers

18 October 2020
Simple and easy tips on how to remove single-use plastic from your center available in English and Arabic. 

Single-use plastic ban guidelines for boats

18 October 2020
These guidelines explain which single-use plastic or styrofoam items should be banned from boats & replaced with the suggested alternatives, the guidelines are available in English and Arabic. 

Environmental Awareness Course Material (Single-use plastic)

02 October 2020
Environmental Awareness Course Material (Single-use plastic)

Environmental Awareness Course Material

01 October 2020
Environmental Awareness Course Material (Diving, Snorkeling and Daily)

Technical Manager Training Agenda

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training Agenda for the 5 days of the training.

Training Index

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training Index, Modules and General Information.

Module 1: General Information and Technical manager duties

27 August 2020
Technical manager Training, Module 1: General Information and Technical manager duties

Module 2: ISO and Local Rules

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Module 2: ISO and Local Rules 

Module 3: Hospitality and Professionalism

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Module 3: Hospitality and Professionalism 

Module 4: Environmental Protection, Conservation and Related Laws

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Module 4: Environmental Protection, Conservation and Related Laws

Module 5: Necessary Paper Work

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Module 5: Necessary Paper Work

Module 6: Safety and Emergency Planning

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Module 6: Safety and Emergency Planning 

Module 7:Penalty List and Common Violations

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Module 7:Penalty List and Common Violations

Module 8: ISO Audit and Certification Producers

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Module 8: ISO Audit and Certification Producers 

Module 9: Incident/Accident Management and Report

27 August 2020
Technical Management Training, Module 9: Incident/Accident Management and Report

Attachment: Audit Report

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Attachment: Audit Report

Attachment: Snorkeling Excursions

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Attachment: Snorkeling Excursions

Attachment: Intro Dive

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Attachment: Intro Dive

Attachment: Dive Centers

27 August 2020
Technical Manager Training, Attachment: Dive Centers

Health Declaration Form

16 August 2020

All facilities must ensure that customers sign the attached health declaration forms by DAN before doing any activity. 

Table for quantitative and proportion of additives for diving equipment disinfection

24 June 2020

Table for quantitative and proportion of additives for diving equipment disinfection

Regulations for Safety Precautions

15 June 2020
COVID-19 Regulations and operational constraints for Safety Precautions and resuming business 

The CDWS Guidelines for COVID-19 Precautions and Prevention Measures

15 June 2020
The CDWS Guidelines for COVID-19 Precautions and Prevention Measures

COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Poster

15 June 2020
COVID-19 Safety Guidelines Poster for dive, water sports centers and boats.

Decree Number 630 of 2017

28 April 2020
Decree Number 630 of 2017 regarding the fundamental common regulations

The CDWS Internal Bylaw

26 April 2020
The document was last amended on the 18th of December 2016 as per the CDWS board member’s decree which was approved by the CDWS general assembly on the 19th of December 2016.

Law Number 85 of 1968

26 April 2020
Law Number 85 of 1968 Regarding the Touristic Chambers and the Egyptian Tourism Federation 

The CDWS Establishment Resolutions

26 April 2020
The CDWS Establishment Resolutions

Evaluation form for the Professional and First Aid courses for diving and snorkelling professionals

01 October 2019

Evaluation form for the Professional and First Aid courses for diving and snorkelling professionals

Manual and Protocol of Audits for Water Sports centres (Snorkelling Service Providers)

12 September 2019

Manual and Protocol of Audits for Water Sports centres (Snorkelling Service Providers)



Manual and Protocol of Audits for Diving Centers and Safari boats

01 July 2019

Manual and Protocol of Audits for Diving Centers and Safari boats



ISO 13289 - Water sports centers offering snorkeling activities

06 March 2019

ISO 13289 - Water sports centers offering snorkeling activities 

ISO 13970 - Requirements for the training of snorkeling guides

04 March 2019

ISO 13970 - Requirements for the training of snorkeling guides

ISO 24801-1 Supervised

03 March 2019

ISO 24801-1 Supervised

ISO 24801-2 Autonomous

02 March 2019

ISO 24801-2 Autonomous

Diving Center Equipment Inventory

27 January 2019

This excel sheet includes the following: 

  • Equipment Inventory for compressors 
  • Equipment Inventory for tanks
  • Equipment Inventory for O2 tanks
  • Equipment Inventory (maintenance) for Regulators 
  • Equipment Inventory (maintenance) for BCD
  • Others: (Suits, Diving Masks & Snorkels, Diving Fins, Led Weights, Weight Belts, Life Jackets, and extra equipment inventory) 

Conditions of Adding "Kite surfing" to Safari Boat

24 January 2019

Conditions of adding Kite surfing as an activity to CDWS members' safari boat.

Technical diving hosted by recreational diving operation

23 January 2019

The rules and regulations in case of occasional technical diving activities done by clients, tec clubs or schools and hosted by a recreational diving operation (safari boat/dive center)

Recreational technical diving requirements for diving centers and safari boats

22 January 2019

This certification scheme specifies minimum requirements to certify the conformity of the services of technical diving service providers. Technical diving centres are legitimate MOT licensed diving centres that provide the following in addition to the regular recreational scuba services and has successfully obtained a Recreational Technical Diving Service Provider Certification (RTDSPC) from CDWS: 1. Teach technical diving courses. 2. Organize guided technical dives. 3. Blend and/or sell diving gas mixes such as: Nitrox, Trimix, Heliox and O2 for diving. Recreational Technical diving service providers must apply for a (RTDSPC) from CDWS and should comply with the technical training agency standards and the following requirements. FOR FULL INFORMATION DOWNLOAD THE PDF

Tanks hydrostatic and visual testing centers requirements

20 January 2019

Updated: 19 August 2010 To meet internationally recognised standards, the cylinder testing requirements for centres set out by the CDWS committee are detailed in this PDF document. FOR FULL INFORMATION DOWNLOAD THE PDF

The CDWS depth limitations

19 January 2019

For full information on maximum depths for recreational activities and for different activities please download the PDF.....

The CDWS Diving Ratios

18 January 2019

For the diving activities: the CDWS is implementing the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) standards www.wrstc.com for recreational diving. For more information please download the PDF.

The CDWS rules on gloves and knives

17 January 2019

The CDWS' official statement in regards to wearing gloves and carrying dive knives can be downloaded here

The CDWS statement on the Use of Muck Stick

16 January 2019

The CDWS strongly forbids scuba divers and photographers to use these sticks in an attempt to promote an eco-friendly marine environment in the Red Sea. The penalty list for environmental violations will apply. FOR FULL INFORMATION DOWNLOAD THE PDF

The CDWS Policy for Solo Diving

15 January 2019

To be allowed to dive solo; a diver has to successfully pass a solo diving training course and earn such a certification from a recognized training agency. FOR FULL INFORMATION DOWNLOAD THE PDF

Foreign Dive Professionals in Egypt

14 January 2019

CDWS welcomes legitimate foreign dive professional in Egypt. There are two ways for you to conduct diving activities legitimately in Egypt:

Shark Monitoring Program

13 January 2019
Trying to reach an optimal coverage, this project is calling upon divers and dive guides to help monitoring the shark populations in the Egyptian Red Sea. Your experience and ongoing daily activities in the water make you perfect volunteers, who can provide a wealth of information. All it will take for the guides is to be willing to spend a few minutes of your time to fill out the electronic log sheets after your day's diving and for all divers (guides and guests alike) to share their underwater images.

Diving with Oceanic Whitetips - For Guests

13 January 2019
Pre-Dive Information for Guests

Diving with Oceanic Whitetips - For Dive Guides

13 January 2019
Safe Diving Practices & Guidelines

Example of a Medical and Responsibility Declaration Snorkel

04 January 2019

Example of a Medical and Responsibility Declaration Snorkel

Example of an Information Sheet for Snorkel Medical Screening

03 January 2019

Example of an Information Sheet for Snorkel Medical Screening

The CDWS Financial Bylaw

21 December 2018
The document was last amended and approved by the CDWS general assembly on the 21st of December 2018

The CDWS Annual Report for 2010

31 December 2010
The CDWS annual report for 2010