Diving Abroad- What do you put in your bags?

[billt4sf]

I've started bringing a handful of this type of spring clamp on dive trips. Very helpful, especially on liveaboard trips.

You can get a bucket of cheap ones of a few different sizes (typically 2" 3" and 4") at any hardware store for about $10. And do get the cheap ones so when the springs rust out or you lose them you don't care. They weigh next to nothing, and as many as you bring with you... you'll wish you had two more.

What do you use them for?

- Bill

 

[dmoore19]

Clipping towels, wetsuits, boots, socks, t-shirts, dive skins, swim suits etc out to be dried. I am sure there is more uses than than but those are what I have used them for. Quite handy.

What do you use them for?

- Bill

 

[Wingy]

I wouldnt worry about pegs and save a dive kits - remember the OP is heading to thailand and fiji where its customary (thailand at least) for you not to be hiring a tank and weights and heading off shore diving on your own. In my experience Ive never had to worry about taking clips - have yet to dive anywhere this side of the planet where hotel/dive centre cant give you a couple of pegs if you ask...how else do they wash their clothes?. Re Save a dive kits....I stopped travelling with spare parts years ago for the same reason. I think the likelyhood of not having a spare O ring at the dive op would be incredibly remote and if they didnt have equipment to do small repairs I wouldnt dive with them. In French Polynesia which is about as far away from anywhere as most divers will get I had a slight tank leak...no problem, fixed by DC in a few minutes, with parts found in the shop.
My bag is also a mesh sided canvas duffle - which keeps weight down. Just another hint - because i can live out of my one bag for a month (ive stretched it out to 6 weeks) with all my clothing and dive gear I tend to wash clothes in hotel bathrooms if the hotel doesnt offer a laundry service - if you are a small size gal dont ever stop in and drop your clothes off at a thai laundry on the street......if you are small and have anything that looks nice and asian ladyboy size - you may find a few bits missing when you get your laundry back. Nothing like spotting your former favourite dress on a ladyboy on bangla road.

 

[chillyinCanada]

LOL, Wingy.

Please advise me with regard to "save a dive kit" on Dewi Nusantara. You say I don't need? I'm wondering specifically about spare hoses and such. TIA

 

[Wingy]

Hey Chilly cant speak for the Dewi Nusatara as I have never been on her - only private LOBS in PNG where they provided pegs

I would ask them directly but.......i cant see a boat going out with only the required number of hoses...what happens if the DMs gear stuffs up? do they go back to port for spares? Id assume they would have some spare hoses onboard. Ive seen spare hoses on plenty of day boats but guess it always pays to ask.

 

[diverrex]

Just got back from 7 days diving in Fiji. Half way through the trip my wife notices her mouthpiece is half bit through on one side. No problem since I brought a couple extra new mouthpieces and zip ties. The dive op probably had some but it was easier being self sufficient and we had just the size she liked, and it was new. A couple mouthpieces, zip ties, mask strap, etc weighed probably less than a pound. No big deal to carry a few things.

 

[chillyinCanada]

My personal style of baggage for dive trips is not recommended to others. In this regard, it depends on where I'm going and where I'll be staying once I arrive. For my trips to Belize/Roatan, get upgraded to Business class which allows me 2 free checked bags. I take full advantage, princess that I am.

Of course, when traveling elsewhere, my packing is more spartan. After all, one needs room to bring home the souvenirs.

My next trip is long and involved to SE Asia. There will be a number of trips within the trip, including one liveaboard. Part of my luggage will be left at first/last destination, but then have to pack for second destination that will include my dive gear/apparel for the liveaboard. Having some concerns in this regard. Wouldn't be an issue, if I didn't have to be decently turned out before the liveaboard, and potentially, for a couple of days following the liveaboard trip before returning to first/last destination.

Will be using a wheeled duffle for the portion of the trip that includes liveaboard. My question to those of you that do SE Asia liveaboards, is with regard to carry-on. Am I going to be overburdened if I also have the duffle, AND a carry-on and my one personal item(purse?). Thanks.

 

[dmoore19]

I like my stuff dry, a slight breeze if it is on a LOB or at a hotel helps to secure stuff when doing so.

I also carry a few o rings, I don't want to be the guy that holds up the DM asking him for a o right while people are gearing up. It is just easier to have my own little stash and take care of it myself.

I wouldnt worry about pegs and save a dive kits - remember the OP is heading to thailand and fiji where its customary (thailand at least) for you not to be hiring a tank and weights and heading off shore diving on your own. In my experience Ive never had to worry about taking clips - have yet to dive anywhere this side of the planet where hotel/dive centre cant give you a couple of pegs if you ask...how else do they wash their clothes?. Re Save a dive kits....I stopped travelling with spare parts years ago for the same reason. I think the likelyhood of not having a spare O ring at the dive op would be incredibly remote and if they didnt have equipment to do small repairs I wouldnt dive with them. In French Polynesia which is about as far away from anywhere as most divers will get I had a slight tank leak...no problem, fixed by DC in a few minutes, with parts found in the shop.
My bag is also a mesh sided canvas duffle - which keeps weight down. Just another hint - because i can live out of my one bag for a month (ive stretched it out to 6 weeks) with all my clothing and dive gear I tend to wash clothes in hotel bathrooms if the hotel doesnt offer a laundry service - if you are a small size gal dont ever stop in and drop your clothes off at a thai laundry on the street......if you are small and have anything that looks nice and asian ladyboy size - you may find a few bits missing when you get your laundry back. Nothing like spotting your former favourite dress on a ladyboy on bangla road.

 

[chillyinCanada]

At the Rosarios in Colombia, while they had Orings, the orings were very subpar. The manager told me he wished every diver would bring a bag of varied sizes from home (North America).

I do carry a spare mouthpiece with me always. Have only needed once many years ago but because of that "once", always have.

 

[bowlofpetunias]

Like most we bring pretty well all our gear except weights and tank. We did buy some lighter weight fins for trips. We tend to bring our oldest tshirts and dive boots with the plan of leaving them behind. That allows for the weight of new shirts and extra weight from wet gear. What is "old" and disposable to us has always been appreciated when given to the locals.

We bring one spare computer with the assumption that it is unlikely that BOTH of us will have computer failures. This has turned out to be handy on a couple trips.

We do bring a selection of medications for those common issues that may impact the diving. We minimize the clothes as we are wet most of the time if we have a choice. I do bring a fair bit of first aid supplies once again with the plan to leave them behind if not used.

IMHO luggage scales ARE a must.