Packing for a dive trip is part of the sport

[DandyDon]

Gawd but it something how much stuff I think I have to take - back up gear, just in case supplies, spare parts, etc, and how much thought I put into all this. Over the years I have adopted so many ideas on things to have, as well as accumulated spare parts thru replacement, i.e mask straps with slap straps, that I feel like a tech diver in preparation. Then there's the little things, like taking the liquid filled compass off of the reg so I can pack the reg in my roll-on. Batteries to be installed on arrival, extra batteries, vinegar for stings, alcohol for wounds, half of each for ears, sun block, pony bottle - valve removed, tape to reseal pony on return, and on and on.

I keep all my dive stuff in a room large enough to raise a kid, and I keep looking around to see what I may have overlooked. Tomorrow night, I work on my laptop & camera bag & accessories. I'm pooped. :shakehead

 

[Martha]

I wish I was packing for a trip!

 

[DandyDon]

I wish I was packing for a trip!

You're cute, go with us. You'll have 2 old bachelors competing for your attention...

Yeah, here I am - healthy and able enough to take a few days off and spend over a grand on a long weekend outing, so why am I griping. I even get to check 2 - 70# bags for free, layover in the Presidents club, and coach was sold out on return so we're both in First. Who am I to gripe about petty details. Thanks for the reminder...!

 

[Martha]

Thanks, that's quite an offer

Ohhh, so you must be one of the "elite" to be able to check 2 - 70# bags for free. I'm jealous. We have to weigh ours to make sure we stay under the 50# limit. Hope you have a great trip! I'll look forward to your trip report when you get back.

 

[TSandM]

When we went to Indonesia, one of our companions, who is a regulator tech, helped me out with an o-ring when I blew one. I went to his room -- He had most of a good repair shop in there! Given that we barely got two people's worth of daily use dive gear into our weight allowance, I have no clue how he and his girlfriend managed to get all their stuff on the airplane. Maybe they paid extra. I don't know, but I was so grateful that he had all his supplies and tools!

 

[DocVikingo]

You know how to travel, Don

Have a dive circus.

Regards,

DocVikingo

 

[CheddarChick]

Wouldn't you love to just watch Don pack? I mean his outfits have to coordinate with that hat!!!!

 

[DandyDon]

We have to weigh ours to make sure we stay under the 50# limit.

Yeah, I have to weigh mine to make sure I stay below 70#, as they just will not accept any over that, even with fees paid. I see a we word that might disqualify you from our trip...?

When we went to Indonesia, one of our companions, who is a regulator tech, helped me out with an o-ring when I blew one. I went to his room -- He had most of a good repair shop in there! Given that we barely got two people's worth of daily use dive gear into our weight allowance, I have no clue how he and his girlfriend managed to get all their stuff on the airplane. Maybe they paid extra. I don't know, but I was so grateful that he had all his supplies and tools!

Yeah, thank god no one expects us to dress well, huh? But I'd rather pay extra than not take anything I think might be a good idea. We are taking a coffee maker and supplies, real cups, etc - but those often get left as a small gift to someone. A few pounds of trail mix, after dive cookies, and breakfast rolls that won't come back. Makes weight bags with moist gear easier.

You know how to travel, Don

Have a dive circus.

Regards,

DocVikingo

Circus...?

Wouldn't you love to just watch Don pack? I mean his outfits have to coordinate with that hat!!!!

Yeah I need to change my avatar back to the straw hat I'll wear. Everything goes with that.

I do usually take 2 skins and 2 suits, as I have had zipper problems on trips, and sometimes I want a heavier suit than I hoped to dive. Packed...
> Dive skin to wear under wet suit if needed;
> 1 mil equiv skin that I hope to be enough;
> 3 mil long, just in case.
The skins don't take much room, and the 3 mil makes good padding for breakables.

Not having to pack the 7 mil does leave more room than on some trips.

 

[DandyDon]

Okay, picked up the money order at the bank...

$500: 5 - $100 Travelers Checks to pay hotel & diving
+500: 10 - $50 Travelers Checks for dinners, etc
+100: 10 - $10 bills for boat trip tips, etc
+ 50: 10 - $5 bills
+ 50: 25 - $2 bills
+ 50: 50 - $1 bills

Carry Travelers Receipt in roll-on, Checks and Bills in envelope in back pack - which does not leave my sight until I get to the room.

Keep most of it in the room save, take out supplies as needed. Always best to have exact change for small purchases & tips - especially those Cozumel cabbies. :shakehead

 

[Wolfie2012]

Wow, I didn't even think of the compass when I went on my trips back in July and November... Luckily when they searched my reg bag they didn't say anything.

Something I'll need to remember in the future... I'd hate for them to stop me because of it.