Equipment weight?

[STINTON2009]

Hey everyone.

I am a 21 and new to diving and have booked my self in to do a DM course in KOH TAO Thailand in March. Included in the course is all dives exams and my own set of diving equipment. As i will have to bring my stuff back home with me when I finish, i am worrried how much the kit will way as there are strict and expensive guidelines on luggage weight..

Can anyone give me a rough idea how much a normal scuba kit would weigh?

Cheers John

 

[JBRES1]

Good morning,

Well it all depends on the set up, but here is my take.

Reg set up= 5#
Mask, fins, and snorkle = 9#
BC = 7 or 8 #
wet suit = 4 to 10# depending on thickness and size
Misc items 5# (knife , light , smb, ...)

I know I don't pack light, so when I take my gear with I tip the scale
at 130#s between my checked bag and 2 carry on bags. I carry 2 regs, BP/W,
mask, fins, snorkle, pony, pony reg, save a dive kit, camera, flashlights, full wet suit,
and other misc items.

Good luck, and enjoy the diving,
Jim

 

[Garrobo]

If you include the tank, wetsuit, bcd, fins, regs, probably around 60 pounds. No need to haul weights. Tank will weigh around 35 pounds and, depending on the airlines, could cost you $100 or more one way just for it. A new tank sells for $150 or less depending on where you buy it.

 

[JDostal]

I'm curious why you are becoming a Divemaster with hardly any diving experience yourself? I think even PADI requires at least 50 dives? Being a good DM requires a solid knowledge of diving theory and equipment. Don't want to be harsh but if you don't have the experience with diving equipment to guesstimate the weight you might be rushing things a little!

Or do you mean something other than Divemaster with the DM abbreviation?

 

[muddiver]

You may want to consider packing anything that is not fragile in a box and ship it home. I did that on my last trip to Hawaii and the relief of not having two extra boxes to lug through the airport was worth the expense. And it cost less than the charge for a second checked bag or an over weight bag.

I also found a scale through Daluth Trading company that is perfect fo weighing your luggage before leaving for the airport. I think it was only about $10 or $15.

 

[pollywogg]

I can't help but to agree with omicron on the topic of dive experience, but as this is not the question asked, we can leave it at that. You would definitely be better off shipping the non-breakables, and carrying your fragiles with you. Most airlines will charge a steep fee ($100+ , many times per package) for heavy bags/boxes. Your gear, if it includes tanks, bc, regs, gauges will most definitely top the weight limit.
Good luck!

 

[Diver0001]

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[DA Aquamaster]

I am currently traveling with

Large Scubapro Atlas roller bag (right at 62 inch limit)
Mk 10 G250 on a long hose with inflator and dry suit inflator hose
brass and glass SPG
Halcyon 28 lb wing with Air 2 (yeah, I know, I'll never live it down, but it is light)
Dive Rite AL backplate and harness with DR weight pockets
Aluminum STA with metal cam buckle
XXL OMS slipstreams with spring straps
Mask
Hood
5mm Gloves
Whites Fusion dry suit
2 sets poly underwear
2 sets socks
EVO 3 Boots
Dry suit maintence kit, condom caths, etc,
dry bag

Total weight is 46.5 lbs - enough to stay under the 50 pound limit.

Be advised some airlines enforce a 62 linear inch limit while others allow scubabags to be up to 115 linear inches - check their websites.

My computer, bottom timer and compass are in my lap top/carry on bag

For cold water diving making the weight limit can be a challenge and requires cutting a pound or so where ever you can.

For warm water wet suit diving, the weight would be less - substantially less with a 3mm wet suit.

Fins can be a big issue as neoprene fins are a lot heavier than monoprene fins - I'd be over weight with XXL Jet fins.

Tanks and weights can be rented on site.

Some airlines charge horrendous fees for carrying tanks as checked baggage, even when empty and pony sized - as in $135.00.

 

[h90]

I'm curious why you are becoming a Divemaster with hardly any diving experience yourself? I think even PADI requires at least 50 dives? Being a good DM requires a solid knowledge of diving theory and equipment. Don't want to be harsh but if you don't have the experience with diving equipment to guesstimate the weight you might be rushing things a little!

Or do you mean something other than Divemaster with the DM abbreviation?

You don't know these everywhere in Thailand offered "From zero to hero" courses?
With all requirements on the minimum and all dives on the same 2-5 spots you get a Divemaster and later an Instructor.....

 

[don Francisco]

I never actually weighed everything, but I do travel a lot with serious weight restrictions. I can get all my gear, Mask, fins, boots, BC, regs, computer, camera, incidentals (not tanks or weights) including a 3mm wet suit, plus all my needs for a 1-3 week trip into one 50# bag, plus my carry-on messenger bag. (and BTW so can my wife)

A few tips. First carry-on small heavy stuff like your regs, and maybe your mask if it's prescription, to save weight in the checked bag. Second, dispense with rolling or complex luggage and pack in a simple high quality duffle bag, since any luggage weight reduces what you can pack. Third learn to travel light and if necessary plan on doing laundry on longer trips.

Someone suggested shipping the gear. I do this often when traveling within the USA, especially when doing a few dives on a business trip, but it isn't practical in Hawaii. The cost of shipping onto or off the Isalnd is extremely high, whether by UPS, Fedex, or US Mail. It's far cheaper to pay the airline for a second bag.