Dive Trip to Cancun: Take Personal Gear or Not?

[peajay]

Hubby and I are going to Cancun for our first dive trip since getting certified. We purchased the usual "personal" dive gear for our lessons (mask, snorkel, boots and fins).

He doesn't want the hassle of packing the gear in our luggage and thinks we could/should just rent it from the dive operator there. I think it's better to take equipment we know is good quality with proper fit.

Should we deal with the hassle and pack our own gear or not?

Thanks!

peajay

 

[smurf doc]

I would at least bring the masks if you are happy with them. It can be hard for some people to find a mask that fits their facial features, and that is one of the easiest ways to spoil a dive (having to constantly clear a mask). Leave the fins.

 

[snhrph]

I think it's better to take equipment we know is good quality with proper fit.

Should we deal with the hassle and pack our own gear or not?

peajay

I think you are right. While renting mask and fins may not seem like a big deal, a leaking mask or incorrectly sized fins can, AND WILL, ruin your dive.

So tell your hubby to get used to it...

 

[ajduplessis]

Agreed, at least take your masks.

 

[logic8482]

Do you already know who you are diving with? If so, you might want to ask them ahead of time if they rent booties in your sizes and open heel fins. Renting full foot fins can often leave you with painful blisters if the fit is not right, as well as they may not have the power of the open heels you are used to. If they have only full foot and you still don't want to back yours, you might consider a set of dive socks, would should help with blisters and are easily packable!

Definitely echo the advice to bring your own mask!

Enjoy Cancun!

 

[squid509]

if I was making that trip i would bring my BC, regs and computer too.
it is best to use gear you are famuler with that you know fits and works
but if you are realy concerned with space to pack your things I would prioritize packing
1. mask
2. computer
3. boot/fins
4. gloves
5. regs
6. BC

 

[Insta-Gator]

He doesn't want the hassle of packing the gear in our luggage ...

We always travel with all our own gear. Diving is an equipment intensive sport. Your life depends on the proper function of that equipment. Would I be more comfortable with MY gear or some rental gear? It's your call.

 

[knfmn]

if I was making that trip i would bring my BC, regs and computer too.
it is best to use gear you are famuler with that you know fits and works
but if you are realy concerned with space to pack your things I would prioritize packing
1. mask
2. computer
3. boot/fins
4. gloves
5. regs
6. BC

I would prioritize in a slightly different way. Mask, computer and regs are must haves. The rest are "nice to have." It's not the end of the world if your gloves or BC don't fit quite as well as you would like. It's a serious problem if your rental regulator decides it doesn't want to work anymore. JMHO.

Kristopher

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I join the chorus of those who take everything on every trip. For my wife and I that includes 2 full sets of gear, including exposure suits, plus repair kit, tools, and a few back-up items ( 2 masks apiece, etc.) The only thing we don't take is lead and tanks. Then again, we go on dedicated dive trips, with 10-20 dives during a week long trip. I personally think it is silly to own gear and not use it. Comfort and good repair, and having stuff with me I can repair if needed, is a big deal to me. It is so big that a luggage charge is nothing in comparison. I say take all your stuff, and as you add more gear, take that too.
DivemasterDennis

 

[highdesert]

Taking your own well-fitting, inspected, serviced dive gear, with which you are intimately familiar, is a must, IMHO, especially if you are going to a foreign destination. That's why my clothes for a 24-day trip will fit in a bag about the size of a loaf of bread, and everything else I take is dive gear ... ALL of my gear. I've paid for the mistake of renting gear when we started diving. You just really need to learn the drill of packing for diving ... it's an integral part of the program.