Packing for a Dive Trip

[jringold]

Hey All – Wanted to get your thoughts on this – when packing for a dive trip where you will be traveling by air, do you pack your regulator in your checked bags or carry-on? We bought a couple of specialty suitcases for our gear (Stahlsac HD Caicos Cargo Dive Bag HD Caicos Cargo Pack ) but I don’t know if it would offer enough protection for our regulators based on how baggage is typically handled – or am I being overly concerned? I also have our regulators in separate padded Scubapro Tech bags that would be packed inside the case. Both dive computers are also in their own padded cases. Is there any other dive component that you would avoid putting in checked bags?

Thanks!

 

[Searcaigh]

Not a fan of soft luggage, especially with zippers, can be accessed too easy with a ballpoint pen then re-sealed and you would never know.

I would hand carry the dive computers, never had issues (touch wood) with my regs in hold baggage in 30 years of long haul travel to dive, but I've never gone through a US airport on a dive trip.

 

[maj2]

I never put my regs or computer in a bag that might be checked. They are always in my carry-on.
Even if I manage to get my dive gear into a carry on bag, the regs and computer are always in my "personal item" bag.

 

[RJP]

Regs and computers get carried on.

Don't waste money on scuba-branded luggage:
A.) More costly than needed
2.) Screams "Steal me" to thieves

 

[jringold]

Too late for that so let me be the poster boy for 'don't let this happen to you'.

 

[tkaelin]

Only dive gear I carry on the plane is my camera. Never had a problem with any gear checked in. I also fly direct almost every time so transfer/risk of lost or late luggage less of an issue. If I had tight connections and had to have my gear on time (like catching a boat - live aboard) I would consider carrying my reg, bcd and mask.

 

[fjpatrum]

I check everything with or without transfers. I have occasionally carried my computer on and sometimes my camera but generally don't worry too much about it. I have had one occasion where my bags were delayed and I had to rent equipment for my first day of diving (same day as arrival). The next day I had my own gear.

 

[ColoDale]

I carry reg, primary mask and camera as carryon. Everything else is checked. I have never had a problem with theft of checked bag articles but I have had them delayed and always coming back (good luck).

 

[Doc]

Reg sets, in a pinch, can be used as a hammers to drive nails. Check them.

Nobody in their right minds would steal a reg set to resell them even to pay for crack. Consider the bulk of them (versus concealability in an airport jumpsuit) versus the minimal resale value... Just after you walk out of the dive shop where you bought them. Not much. Play-it-Again Sports won't even look at them, nor will most pawn shops. Baggage theft of SCUBA gear is largely urban myth. Loss by bad handling, bags breaking open? It does happen, not often, but it can. Weigh the probabilities versus probabilities.

Carry-on your cameras and computers, prescription dive mask. I wrap the camera housing in wetsuit and check it.

Pellican cases are just plain silly, but for very specific applications. Carrying them as cabin baggage bespeaks no grasp of concept.

The HD Caicos pack? At 11.5 pounds and $350, it wouldn't be on my list. There are bigger (airline max dimensions), cheaper, and much lighter available. With that Stahlsack, you've already limited yourself to 38 pounds of gear (and 1/2# for TSA Locks)

The more you travel, the less you will ever carry.

 

[RJP]

Nobody in their right minds would steal a reg set to resell them even to pay for crack.

Because crack-heads are always in their right mind.



But seriously, I wasn't limiting my "steal me" comments to airport staff.