RIP Ismail Marzouk.

Thanks a lot Carlos, and may Ismail rest in peace.

Ismail Marzouk, one of Egypt’s leading technical diving instructors, has died today in Daedalus, during a wreck dive. He was 33. His body was never recovered.

As a young Cairo law student, Ismail was active with the socialist movement, before moving to the Red Sea where he worked in eco-tourism, learned diving and quickly became one of the most prominent IANTD instructors in the Red Sea.

I spent weeks with Ismail last winter in Hurghada, where he introduced me to technical diving. His hospitality, sense of humor were unmatched.

His home in Hurghada, I felt, was mine too thanks to his warm fraternal personality. Ismail, who passionately supported the revolution, has also been active in the ongoing efforts to unionize Egypt’s divers.

He is survived by his wife, Jude, and baby daughter, Aisha. He will be terribly missed by his family and friends. Rest in peace, Ismail.

I planned and performed a 39 meter decompression dive today at Abu Ramada, with bottom time 25 minutes. This was my last dive, for the IANTD Advanced Nitrox course, and I got certified as a technical diver.

I want to thank my instructor Ismail Marzouk for opening a new horizon for me.

Kristina, a Bulgarian PADI instructor and diving magazine editor.

Boody and Ismail helped me out with shopping for some needed diving gear, and hopefully Ismail will be introducing me to technical diving by next week.