Scuba Diving Travel Tips - Traveling with your scuba gear
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When you are about to embark on a scuba diving vacation, one of the first things that that you should plan is on whether you will be renting or taking your own equipment. This guide on scuba diving travel contains tips to assist you when you are embarking on your scuba vacation. Whether you rent or take your own scuba gear, you should realize that each option has got its own pros and cons. Renting equipment from your designated destination is by far hassle free. You do not have to carry those extra pounds in your baggage. If you own expensive scuba diving equipment gear, you have peace of mind that your favorite gear is not going to be lost during transport. However, if you feel that you do not want to experience unfamiliar or even uncomfortable scuba equipment, then you have no choice other than travelling with your scuba gear. Most scuba divers will often travel with all their scuba equipment including masks, fins, BC, regulator however due to weight issues, tanks and weights will normally be left out from the scuba gear checklist. Weights and tanks can be easily rented and are usually quite cheap from dive shops in the area in which you will be vacationing.
Dos and Don’ts of scuba gear travel. It is important that you place any sensitive gear such as your regulator and dive computer in your hand luggage. Preferably try to pack your dive computer in a box to prevent any accidental activation. The same thing could be said for your regulator and scuba mask. If you use protective casings, they are less likely to be damaged during transport. Also by placing your sensitive scuba gear between some soft materials such as sponges or clothing, you will greatly reduce the risk of damage to your equipment. Also keep in mind that you place your log book and certification card together in a safe place and not with your checked luggage. The rest of your equipment, for example, Wetsuit, BCD, Fins and booties, you can place them in your checked luggage. In case of theft or your checked luggage being lost, you can still rent the rest of the scuba gear, but you will unlikely be able to dive if you are not in possession of your C-card, so be sure to place it in a safe place. An important tip is to never carry your dive knife in your hand luggage. Remember to pack it in your checked luggage. Believe me you do not want to start your scuba diving travel with major set backs. Try to avoid grabbing attention to your checked luggage. Do not use large scuba diving bags which scream “expensive gear.” Everyone knows how expensive dive gear is, so make you’re your bag does not become another statistic. Consider of using a flexible bag and placing it in a normal larger suitcase.
How to Pack Your Dive Gear for your scuba diving travelThis is the part of scuba diving travel that I bet that most people hate. However, if done in the correct way, packing of your scuba gear can be easily simplified. When packing, always lay out your gear in front of you and start with the last item you will need during your dives. In this case, the fins. Preferably pack your fins either flat on the bottom or to the sides of the bag. Next place your booties to the side of the bag. On top of the fins place your Buoyancy compensator. Now fold your wetsuit. When folding it take care so that you will not damage it during the packing process. This is how. Lay your wetsuit flat and fold up the legs up avoiding to folding the suit across the zipper. Fold the arms across the chest of the suit in a way that it now forms an “X”. That’s about it; now place your folded suit in your bag.
For scuba diving travel, you may also want to pack smaller like items
together in a Cubit Packing Cube Travel Organizer Kit w/ Essentials for Scuba Diving Dive Diver Mask Cleaner Travel Travelling Set Pack Bag Kit AquaSeal Sea Gold Mask Anti-Fog Gel McNett Neck Nack Inflatable Travel Pillow
Travel SafeCarry the minimum number of valuables, and plan places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe. When you have to carry them on your person, you may wish to put them in various places rather than all in one wallet or pouch. A Security Wallet is a must for all trips – domestic and abroad. McNett offers a model called the McNett Silk Neck Wallet which allows you to be more discrete and is ideal for quick access. Pack your security wallet with the following: passport, driver’s license/photo ID, airline tickets, immunization records, itinerary, traveler’s checks and large sums of cash. Pack all valuables, medications and toiletries in your carry-on. It is also a good idea to carry-on these key pieces of dive gear: mask, regulator, dive computers and camera.
Finally remember during your scuba diving travel, to keep your luggage and gear bag secure with
McNett TSA Metal Indicator Lock
As previously mentioned, mask, regulator and computer is to be packed carefully as hand luggage.
Scuba Diving Travel Check list to help you whilst packing
To be packed in the Check- in suit case
□ Mask cleaning liquid and Save-A-Dive kit □ Photocopies of your passport, logbook, C card, travel and medical insurance, ID card (for extra copies in case originals are lost). □ Gear bag □ Fins □ Booties □ Reef gloves □ BCD □ wet suit/ dry suit □ Dive light + extra set of batteries and spare light □ Diving knife and sheath □ Swim suit and cover ups (shorts, tee-shirts, long sleeved shirts, trousers, sundresses, sarongs) □ Beach shoes/ flip flops / non slip shoes □ Beach towels □ Sun hats with a wide brim and chin strap (to protect yourself from the sun whilst you prepare your gear for the dive) □ Sweater, jacket, windbreaker (Ideal for boat trips) □ Ponchos or rain jackets (for unpredictable weather) □ Waterproof Sun screens and medicated creams for stings and jellyfish, bug spray, sunburn treatment, motion sickness medication □ Basic first aid kit □ Water proof plastic bags (to pack wet gear in luggage) □ Fin straps, mask straps □ Float with flag □ Glow sticks □ O-rings □ Safety whistle (to be attached to bcd) □ Dive tables □ Underwater camera and casing, memory cards and spare batteries (for the avid photographer) □ Label suit case clearly and appropriately □ Secure with Travel Sentry Certified McNett® TSA Locks
To be packed in the Hand Luggage
□ Regulator □ Dive computer, compass, timer, depth gauge □ Mask and snorkel □ Passport, logbook, scuba certification (C) card, travel and medical insurance, ID card □ Money, travelers’ checks, flight tickets □ note down you serial numbers of all your equipment and keep them in your hand luggage □ Sun glasses □ List of useful telephone numbers/ e-mail addresses
Could be more practical to rent from vacation □ Weights and weight belt □ Diving tanks
Well that's about it when it comes to tips on travel scuba gear. Scuba & Snorkeling Adventures will be creating more guides scuba diving travel in the near future.
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. Keeping small items together will make
them easier to find and use. Cubits are also great for organizing your travel
wardrobe. The see-through mesh makes getting through airport security a breeze!
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Unlike old locks that would be cut off and discarded, these can be opened and
re-locked by TSA Officers so there is no need for your luggage to be
unprotected.
