Taking my reg/computer setup on cruise

[MoostangGT]

Please bare with me, I may have been certified for a few years now but I am still pretty much a green bean in scuba (especially after almost 2 years off) so please excuse me if I don't use right terms or make sense. :blinking:

My hubby and I are heading out on a cruise soon, we have decided we wanted to do some diving since it would be Caribbean (assuming our practice dives this weekend go as good as last weekend). In an effort to pack less we were thinking of only taking our regulator setups which have the computers and a quick connect for our inflator/air2 combo and of course will be taking mask/fins/snorkel. We were wondering if the connections are pretty much standard and should we be good to go with most rental setups? As part of the package we would get all of this is included, but the thought of putting a dingy old regulator that has been used 100's of times in my mouth just gives me the willies! We are thinking of doing the dive in St Thomas if that makes a difference as far as location.

Thanks

 

[astrofunk]

Unfortunately, the connections are just not-quite-standard enough that you can sometimes get bit.

Typically, the connector on a low pressure hose for an integrated inflator/air2 combo has a larger diameter than for a non-integrated inflator. So if you show up to a shop with your regs rigged for a BC with an integrated inflator/air2 combo, and their rental regs are rigged for BCs with non-integrated inflators, you'll be out of luck.

Of course, this could be fixed by swapping your proprietary low pressure inflator hose for a standard hose right there at the shop. It takes about 2 seconds, but nonetheless I have no idea if anybody's going to be willing to do this for you. I'd be curious to see what other folks have to say about this.

If you want to be absolutely sure that all your gear will play well together, you either need to bring your BCs, or just dive the rental regs.

 

[MoostangGT]

If that is the case then I think we will bring BCs, I think shutter at just the thoughts of their regulators.

Ohh I am trying to find out who is currently running the operation so I can ask them, but I have a feeling I wont get that answer.

 

[astrofunk]

Or just bring your own mouth piece and a couple of spare zip ties.

 

[MrTheBrain]

I've never been to St Thomas but I always bring my own reg/computer with me to the caribbean. I've never had a problem with incompatiblity. That's not to say it can't happen. In Coz they even use the same BC I own.

If you are driving to the port (i.e. Luggage weight isn't an issue) then I'd bring your own gear. That way you will be as comfortable as possible especially after a 2 year hiatus from diving.

Hope you have a good trip!

 

[MoostangGT]

Or just bring your own mouth piece and a couple of spare zip ties.

Ok, here I am sounding like a noob.. but why zip ties?

I've never been to St Thomas but I always bring my own reg/computer with me to the caribbean. I've never had a problem with incompatiblity. That's not to say it can't happen. In Coz they even use the same BC I own.

If you are driving to the port (i.e. Luggage weight isn't an issue) then I'd bring your own gear. That way you will be as comfortable as possible especially after a 2 year hiatus from diving.

Hope you have a good trip!

We are flying in, luckily I got my plane tickets before united put on their new baggage policy so I should not have to pay for our first bags

 

[Gombessa]

Ok, here I am sounding like a noob.. but why zip ties?



We are flying in, luckily I got my plane tickets before united put on their new baggage policy so I should not have to pay for our first bags

Zip ties/cable ties: Cable Ties Ties&sesnextrep=697901977605961&ScreenWidth=1024

I've seen the exact situation - someone showed up with their own regs, rented a BC, and found that the low pressure inflator didn't fit the Air-2. Since we were already on the boat when they discovered this, they essentially had to orally inflate their BC for buoyancy compensation, which is fine, but a bit of task loading for a vacation diver. Also, I ended up being the guy's buddy, and with his air2 out of commission, he essentially didn't have a backup regulator. I wasn't exactly thrilled with that concept, but numbskulledness won the day and we all did the dive, with "minimal" complications.

 

[MoostangGT]

Thanks, I have now added that to my packing list, even I bring my BC

 

[ZzzKing]

I might also be a good idea to get in a refresher prior to going, especially since you have been off for two years. That will save you from wasting the first couple of dives just getting comfortable.

 

[jupitermermaid]

Moostang, I just got back from two trips last month.....the Aqua Cat live aboard in the Bahamas, and Bonaire. I packed ALL my gear in one bag, except for my reg and computer, which I brought as a carryon. I put all my clothes into my carry on baggage as well, since if you're going to be diving a lot, you don't need many clothes. At the end of both trips, I still had brought more clothes than I needed. Your gear is the most important part of luggage you can bring with you, in my humble opinion.