October is now upon us and summer is starting to fade. It was great to see those of you that made it out here, I am sure you will agree, it was a scorcher! There were some great underwater sightings this year as you will see below. Remember Sharm is a great place for some winter sun so keep an eye on those special flight or holiday deals and escape the cold.

The Chamber of Diving and Watersports (CDWS) has organised the training of 30 instructors who will be teaching boat skippers throughout the South Sinai in seamanship skills, first aid and environmental awareness. Training of liveaboard skippers is expected to begin in October 2009 as part of a joint project between the CDWS and the South Sinai Association for Diving and Marine Activities (SSDM) to help raise safety standards in the industry.

If successful, the subsidised training scheme will be rolled out to other parts of Egypt.
CDWS chairman Hesham Gabr said the snorkel guide course for Egyptian workers completed earlier this year proved a huge success and future similar pilot training schemes were being looked at.

‘We are now looking at further courses for Egyptian workers in other areas, including tank boys and drivers. The plan will be presented to the Minister of Tourism for approval in September 2009 for implementation in 2010 and 2011,’ he said.

For more info about CDWS visit www.cdws.travel or read their online magazine BLUE for FREE.

Holding out for last minute deals?
Just negotiated a last minute break and need a dive package? Check out our website where there is now a dedicated area for last minute offers.They will change every week, so keep checking and grab yourself a bargain!
If our current deal doesn’t suit you, don’t worry, you can still get a great discount by pre-booking with us.

Here are a few simple tips to try and extend your bottom time. Get yourself properly weighted, carrying extra weight (of the lead, not lard variety) or too little, will cause you to breathe more as you fight to stay level in the water. Ask your guide on the first day to help you do a proper weight check and remember every time you change location, or equipment, you may need to amend your weights.

Move as little as possible, have you ever noticed how lazy your guide is (underwater of course!)? By letting the currents drift you and being neutrally buoyant, you will be surprised how little effort you need to put into diving which will in turn use less air.Streamline yourself, be a diving equivalent of a sleek sports car, rather than an articulated lorry! This means, all your gauges should be tucked in and not trailing and your body should be as horizontal as possible in the water. With less water resistance you will use less energy…I refer to the observation of the lazy dive guide again! Check your equipment for leaks and have things serviced properly and regularly. Swimming around looking like a giant alka seltzer will waste air that could be used for more precious minutes under the sea.

Kicking rigorously like you are riding a bicycle will be far more exhausting and less effective than long slow kicks, or even practice and develop the frog kicking technique for ultimate ease.
If you really want to achieve the streamlined, relaxed and properly weighted ideal you can take a Peak Performance Buoyancy course which will cover many of these points in detail and give you time to practice in a calm environment.If you have any diving concerns that you would like hints and tips to cover, please email jochen@redseacollege.com and we will try to cover it in our next newsletter.

With over 320 exhibitors the Birmingham Dive Show promises to be as busy as ever. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro; tekkie, wreckie or fish-fancier; cold- or warm water diver, there will be no end of things to interest you.

Take the chance to inspect the newest dive kit and leisurewear around or to meet on of our representatives of Red Sea Diving College.

If you’re a new or established underwater photographer don’t miss the show’s Digital Clinic for a useful exchange of views and tips. Alternatively, take a break from walking the halls in the presentation theatres where top marine life, wreck and cave-diving gurus have been lined up to share news and images of their often-extreme activities.

You can find Red Sea Diving College in the PADI Village at stand PV14.
And by the way, there is free WiFi at the PADI stand!

The US Army, for the first time, has rewarded the services of an individual dive centre, and Red Sea diving College were more than honoured to be the recipients. In late June, it was with great pride that Vicki Jarman accepted a certificate and medal on behalf of both herself and Red Sea Diving College.

The presence of the MFO (Multi National Forces and Observers) in Sharm, as a peacekeeping force, is well established and both Vicki, married to a member of the MFO, and Red Sea Diving College have worked to support their social activities and help towards keeping the moral of the troops high.

Providing prizes and diving services to the troops has proved to be rewarding work on both sides, with all concerned realising the position these men and women are in being so far from home and loved ones, and the importance of balancing work and play.

It is with great pleasure and pride that Red Sea Diving College support the MFO, and will continue to do so.

Commonly seen but seldom acknowledged Fish… They’re Right under your nose!

       The Red Sea Mimic Blenny

These cheeky little chappies are happily found hiding out in the shallow waters (2-18m) on all of our dive sites. All you need to do is hunt out some of our beautiful reefs and there they are… Look on hard corals but not in the grass.

This Blenny is noted for its mimicry (Duh!) of its antisocial cousin, the venomous Blackline Fang Blenny. Not only has he half-inched his style…. But he’s nicked his moves too!!!

Growing up to 8cm they are easy to spot as the vibrant blue of their heads fades effortlessly into sunshine yellow… Of course you may looking at his vampirish cousin. Just ask him to smile!