Travel tips for first timer?

[outofofficebrb]

Hi, @Northblade. I agree with @Kimela - that link she provided has some great information. I have an extensive post there as well.

In a nutshell, when you pack, make sure that your luggage does not weigh exactly the maximum allowed - scales vary - and wet gear or slightly damp gear will change that on the way home, along with souvenirs and purchases. Carry anything on with you that is electronic, delicate, or unsafe in bags because of high value and likelihood of damage or theft - think computers, dive computers, electronics, cameras, etc. I have traveled with regs in checked baggage as well as carry on and they are fine in either place.

In general, if your luggage were to be lost or delayed, ensure that you have what's important with you that you can go diving with while your gear is en-route to you. This may mean dive mask because of it's fit, dive computer, and swimsuit along with certification cards in case there's no internet to look you up. Everything else can easily be rented. One could argue that about a dive computer but this falls under the fragile/high value section and who wants to spend a dive learning how to use a rental computer or what it's trying to tell you?

Bring trash bags just in case gear is damp or wet on the way back and you still need to pack it anyway.

 

[Northblade]

Do you plan on doing any underwater photography? That will change things.

Yes I do, am going to pick up a GoPro in the next week or so and use that for photography. So it, my mask, suit and regs will go in cabin bag and the rest can be checked. Good to know.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Yes I do, am going to pick up a GoPro in the next week or so and use that for photography. So it, my mask, suit and regs will go in cabin bag and the rest can be checked. Good to know.

Carry on your GoPro as well. I like to back up my photos either onto a computer after each day or via wifi onto a mobile device or tablet in case it floods or I lose it so you don't lose all the video/photos you've taken previously. Also, if you have any lithium ion batteries (dive lights, camera batteries, etc.), make sure they are not in your checked baggage.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Don't take weights. Yes to Computer, regs and mask as others have pointed out. Not only carry your bathingsuit in your carry-on, but also try to fit in at least one extra change of clothes, your toothbrush, etc. It doesn't happen often but if your checked bag goes missing for a couple of days, you're going to want just a bit more than necessary dive gear in your carry-on.

A friend of mine once arrived with a very large carry-on full of I know not what but no toothbrush, bathingsuit, spare underwear, shorts etc. We weren't in a locale that made it easy to replace those items, despite her American Express card insurance. LOL

 

[Doc]

My best advice, ignored by most:

Check your reg set. Nobody steals them as they have no resale value and would be impossible to conceal in a baggage/ramp jumpsuit.

Carry weights? Somebody is smoking their socks. Check everything.

 

[drrich2]

I've never been to Canada or Australia, so take this with a grain of salt.

1.) I had a scuba tool confiscated in Grand Cayman at the security checkpoint (had I been willing to expend time & hassle I could've gotten it to a checked bag, but not worth it to me). Apparently getting on the plane in the cabin with a 'tool' can be a problem. Check it.

2.) Dive knives, even little ones, are still knives. Check it.

3.) IIRC, it's threads heading to & from Mexico where I see people talking about carry on vs. checked baggage for lithium ion batteries; is that something important to consider here? So far I've been blessed not to be hassled about batteries.

4.) I pack a disposable shaving razor to take the top off my mustache and touchup my face to aim in getting a good mask seal.

5.) Be sure you've got a charger for your smart phone! Airport shops can price gouge on those (I learned the hard way).

Richard.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Doc, I don't carry on my regs because I fear them being stolen. I carry them on because I know their condition and I want to dive them, if my checked bag goes missing. On the trip home, more often than not have them in my checked bag.

 

[TMHeimer]

I put some of my weights in the checked bag and a couple in the carry-on. Just trying to make all the ridiculous baggage weight stuff work.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Buy a travel scale. Our luggage usually weighs 48# going. After a few days in a tropical climate, the moisture always puts them over 50#...not to mention wet dive gear. The scale lets you shift as needed so you don't get his with the $100 overweight charge. They will hit you even for a pound. Sometimes I swear they have a toe on the scale!

Safe travels,
Jay

 

[Ankush Mittal]

Check Everything! Get Insurance. Backup all data!