Disassemble BC for travel? - Halcyon BC Eclipse - first time traveler

[accutrader]

Hello,
I will be travelling in a couple of days to Cozumel, and I have a Halcyon BC Eclipse, with a backplate. The actual BC can be disassembled, the rubber hose that attaches to the back of it can be separated and it's convenient for travel.
My question is, is it OK to fold the empty BC with the bladder inside, a couple of times for storing it in my luggage? I'm concerned about folds/creases that may damage it. Perhaps folding it only once in half would suffice?... Or... leave it as is and travel with it in a large duffel bag?
Thanks in advance for any valuable advise.

A

 

[lindenbruce]

I have folded my BC on numerous occasions and never had an issue. If they were that fragile I think there would be liability issues at work here. B.

 

[rambaldi]

I would try not to fold it too tightly (i.e. don't cram it in a suitcase with a bunch of other stuff, that then barely closes) but a light fold is usually okay.

 

[redacted]

I have never disassembled mine for travel and never had any problems.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

I'd carry it on and more wrap it around things than fold it. If you must store it in a checked bag, I'd go for a larger duffel, leave the plate attached, and fully inflate the wing. It's hard to pinch an inflated wing.

 

[eelnoraa]

I dissamble mine just because it save some space in luggage. I fold the wing and put it along with my clothes.

 

[dbulmer]

To the OP,
Put the wing in a drybag or something similar and make sure that you put it on top of heavier items to protect it.

 

[gizmo1972]

whenever we travel our bp/w always stay assembled and clothes fit around it if you do need to take it apart then i would recomend ROLLING the wing up LOOSELY because if salt crystals form they can punctue the bladder (if left over an extended period)

 

[accutrader]

Thank you! I'm glad to know I wasn't that far off in my assessment of packing... I like the idea of "rolling" it as opposed to folding it.
Thanks again!

---------- Post added August 13th, 2013 at 09:49 AM ----------

I actually called Halcyon technical service in FL (1-800-HALCYON), and I was told folding it once shouldn't be a problem, the technician once folded it into a square and had no issues with it either... I guess it's a matter of preference, folding or rolling it...
Thanks again!

 

[halocline]

whenever we travel our bp/w always stay assembled and clothes fit around it if you do need to take it apart then i would recomend ROLLING the wing up LOOSELY because if salt crystals form they can punctue the bladder (if left over an extended period)

Those must be some salt crystals to puncture a thick plastic bladder....have you considered rinsing?

I'm sure that a halcyon BC, designed for technical diving in caves and shipwrecks, is far less delicate than some responses might indicate, and it's certainly fine to put it in checked bags along with all your other dive gear. No dive gear, except cameras and computers, is particularly fragile. Then again, some baggage handlers seem to appreciate a good challenge!