Night Dive Glow Sticks

[LindaBluedolphin]

I am not sure if this is the proper forum or not, if it is incorrect please move it to the appropriate place.

In general I am not much of a night diver, okay I have only done 2 night dives in my 11 years of diving (my choice, not really for me), so this issue has never come up before.

I am going on a trip where I actually want to do the night dive because it holds great interest for me. With all the new airline regulations and such where does everyone carry their glow sticks carry on? Checked luggage? I don't want to invest in a fancy one since as I may not do another night dive for several years to come.

So how do you transport your glow sticks when boarding a plane, or are they considered no big deal.

Thanks in advance.

Linda

 

[Marek K]

Hi Linda--

We took some glow sticks in checked baggage with us last month, flying charter from Warsaw, Poland to Egypt. True, it wasn't TSA that our bags went through, but no problems either way. All it is is a plastic tube, with a smaller glass ampule inside... shouldn't be anything that alerts TSA, and I'm pretty sure the chemicals aren't dangerous or toxic.

On the other hand, we didn't use and didn't need the glow sticks for night diving. Everyone had a small back-up light, though...

Is it a requirement where you're going?

--Marek

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

Marek,

Thanks for the information, I don't know if it is a requirement or not, just asking since the last time I did a night dive a glow stick on the tank was pretty much standard equipment. As I said I don't usually do night dives. I also know they are pretty harmless, but with all the regulations we have here these days you never know, batteries can even be an issue.

 

[Marek K]

I don't know if it is a requirement or not, just asking since the last time I did a night dive a glow stick on the tank was pretty much standard equipment.

Yeah, that's the way I was taught too. But there's really no good reason for it, other than to keep track of your buddy in a larger group. Everyone's going to keep dive lights on all the time anyway, and that's more than enough illumination to pick out distingushing buddy features. the guy/gal next to you better be your buddy!

That's one reason why we don't use ours. The other is that you're stuck with an "always on" light, in a place you can't reach it; and a glow stick (full size, anyway) can make a pretty serious glow. I imagine that could be annoying to others.

BTW, we did each keep a glow stick in a pocket, as a second back-up light source besides a back-up battery light.

--Marek

 

[Doc]

Man, that stuff is highly corrosive. If the airlines ever figured it out... whew!

I cut one open once with a stainless knife. The next morning, the knife was deeply pitted. We had a good time smearing the stuff on our noses. No bad effect yet.

Glow sticks are highly over rated for everything except an exceptional profit margin item for the LDS.

If you're going to drag them to paradise, at least be kind enough to cart them back home when you're done.

 

[crpntr133]

I wouldn't worry to much about taking them with you. Even if the charter doesn't have them you could do without. It isn't that important. I have seen places that use a color code. DM's are green, rescue team is red, tourist are blue or some other version.

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

Thanks all for the information, in the end I am sure it will be no big deal, it is for a manta ray dive, and from what I understand you basically get to your spot and plant yourself in the sand so the tank light is a minor thing. I can probably pick a few up cheap at Walmart just in case.

 

[Marek K]

Thanks all for the information, in the end I am sure it will be no big deal, it is for a manta ray dive, and from what I understand you basically get to your spot and plant yourself in the sand so the tank light is a minor thing. I can probably pick a few up cheap at Walmart just in case.

Sounds wonderful. Have a great time, and tell us how it went!

 

[Damselfish]

For a manta dive, there will be so much other light that there's not much point.

 

[Tamas]

Speaking of rays, I had a spotted ray much on my tank light while diving in the Bahamas....weird but cool at the same time. Having a ray on your head kinda freaks you out...I guess he thought it was food or just didn't like the red glow of it.

If you really need to have a light on your tank or on your person beside the hand held one (some operators require each end every diver to have it on a night dive) you can always buy one later, the are no more then $2 - so I would not sweat it now, worry about it when you have to.