Chuuk 2019 for the Sidemount Packer

[scuba-flea]

Greetings,

I am planning on going to Chuuk with a group in November 2019. I was curious from a sidemount perspective what all previous siders took, what weight caps were on the smaller flights, and just any other info I can get from those that have already lived the dream. I did a trip to Okinawa a couple of years ago and spent a couple weeks diving. We had a US to Oki weight per bag of 50 lbs. We left Okinawa for Indonesia for the next week of diving and found out that we could only take 32 lbs of luggage on that leg of the trip and had a heck of a time getting under that weight. Don't want any surprises like that next time.

I've read a few other older threads but nothing less than 7 years old or sidemount specific.

I'm using X-Deep 2.0 Stealth Classic. I'll assume I will need to bring several bands for the tanks they will be providing but just want to be prepared if there are any other little peculiarities. Is there time to prep tanks on boats or shore, will I need to have numerous bands and accessories at the start of the day and not have a time or place to swap the bands.....and a bunch of other questions.

The group is staying at Blue Lagoon Resort.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Kevrumbo]

For a combined Bikini Atoll/Truk,Lagoon Trip in 2013, excess baggage total fees charged by United Airlines (per each flight leg outbound and homebound!):$1.2k. My X-scooter DPV itself cost $400 as check-in luggage, with NiMh Battery (an equivalent Lithium Battery this size is prohibited) and a hard case carrying it all, was near the maximum allowable weight limit of 40kg for a single item of baggage. My two other checked bags were full of sidemount and backmount gear with "expedition spares", and each weighed over 32kg.

Current United excess baggage charges:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/checked-baggage.aspx

I used Truk Lagoon Dive Center at the Truk Stop Hotel, which rents out manifolded doubles backmount and singles AL80's with right & left valves installed as needed. Be aware there are two types of AL80's with very different buoyancy characteristics for sidemount: the regular tall one at 207bar (3000psi) and the shorter compact neutrally buoyant type when empty at 228bar (3300psi).

Be careful, particularly on both these wrecks @30 to 33msw deep: Don't get stuck in the I-169 Submarine on traverse, exiting past the forward hatch restriction into the open water wreckage; and run a reel line inside the Fumizuki Destroyer Engine Room leading back to the deck entrance restriction. . .

 

[Kevrumbo]

Delete. . . .

 

[Kevrumbo]

For a combined Bikini Atoll/Truk,Lagoon Trip in 2013, excess baggage total fees charged by United Airlines (per each flight leg outbound and homebound!):$1.2k. My X-scooter DPV itself cost $400 as check-in luggage, with NiMh Battery (an equivalent Lithium Battery this size is prohibited) and a hard case carrying it all, was near the maximum allowable weight limit of 40kg for a single item of baggage. My two other checked bags were full of sidemount and backmount gear with "expedition spares", and each weighed over 32kg.

Current United excess baggage charges:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/checked-baggage.aspx

I used Truk Lagoon Dive Center at the Truk Stop Hotel, which rents out manifolded doubles backmount and singles AL80's with right & left valves installed as needed. Be aware there are two types of AL80's with very different buoyancy characteristics for sidemount: the regular tall one at 207bar (3000psi) and the shorter compact neutrally buoyant type when empty -full fill at 228bar (3300psi).

Be careful on sidemount, both these particular wrecks @30 to 33msw deep: Don't get stuck in the I-169 Submarine on traverse, exiting past the forward hatch restriction into the open water wreckage (both SM cylinders will have to be dismounted and pushed forward ahead of you); and run a reel line inside the Fumizuki Destroyer Engine Room leading back to the deck entrance restriction. . .