Packing for Scuba Trip, First Time with Gear

[Guitarcrazy]

My wife and I leave Sunday for PV. We are bringing our own gear for the first time. I am thinking of packing fins, bcds, and boots in a bag, and checking with United. I was going to bring regs, masks, and computers in carry on bag. Any better ways to pack? Anyone have dive gear stolen when checked with airline? Thanks.

 

[Dizzi Lizzi]

That's exactly what we do. Expect to go thru secondary (I always have, 5 trips so far) because they will want to see what the heck the regulator is. I've learned to pack it on top, easily accessible on my carry on for the inspection, then after they see its nothing harmful I repack and bury it in clothing for protection. When they ask if I have anything dangerous in my bag I say no and then I tell them I have scuba gear, and then point to the reg in the xray and tell them that's my breathing device, and ask them to be careful with it because I depend on it underwater. They are always super careful, and seem to be intrigued with it. I've done 2 impromptu teaching sessions re reg parts Be sure if you have knives or repair kit/screwdriver ect that you check it, or you can buy a new one in PV

Have fun! Despite the added weight and hassle, I love diving with my own gear!!

 

[RyanT]

Regs and computers always go with me as carry on. Everything else is checked.

 

[Guitarcrazy]

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully we have good conditions this coming week.

 

[Ricardo V.]

Guitarcrazy,
I carry-on camera, lenses and most fragile components like optical view finder, strobes, memory cards, rechargeable batteries (you've got to carry-on these. Check with your airline, most don't want you to check batteries), and an iPad.... the rest, gets check. That would be everything... BC, wetsuit, boots, fins, pair of masks, regulator, pair of dive computers, flashlights, surface marker, small lights for night diving, everything else for the photo equipment like clamps, arms, mounts, ports, battery chargers, tools and of course, clothing and some flip-flops.

Occasionally when we open our checked luggage, that be arriving to our destinan or back home, we find a note from TSA or from some official entity that will say something like: This bag was inspected by on xyz by abc. Nothing has gone missing or been damaged.
I know we have been fortunate, and hope that will continue to be the case with future trips, and I wish the same to you. Enjoy your trip, have fun and let us know how it went.
Ricardo

 

[Doc]

The resale value of SCUBA gear is not much.

No one would risk stealing a bulky reg set for $5 fence value.

Cabin carry anything that uses batteries or electronics, prescription masks too.

If you don't know how to pull your computer off of your reg set, go learn how. It's a basic skill and necessity for dive travel.

I have hundreds of airplane dive trips. The less you carry the better. If I were to go to Puerto Vallarta, I would consider renting as their gear is usually quite nice. I have heard of some rental pricing that looks like their retail sale price to buy it, so there's that.

BTW, diving at Puerto Vallarta in this season? Might want to find a comfy barstool just in case.

Long time travelers check everything, carry nothing.

 

[2airishuman]

My wife and I leave Sunday for PV. We are bringing our own gear for the first time. I am thinking of packing fins, bcds, and boots in a bag, and checking with United. I was going to bring regs, masks, and computers in carry on bag. Any better ways to pack?

There's no one right way to do it. I have my BC set up so I can convert it to a backpack and carry everything with me, and I've taken it on board (except for fins and linecutters) on some trips.

The things to watch are:
- Lithium batteries, requirements and enforcement vary but they are supposed to be in a carry on unless installed in equipment. Recent FAA guidance has made it clear that putting them in a charger does not count as "installed in equipment."
- Linecutters and other sharp objects, which the TSA will confiscate if they notice them in your carry on
- Masks, which can get broken depending on how they are packed and how the bag is handled
- Weights, which the TSA may or may not allow depending on the screener. Most people use the ones on the boat but I sometimes prefer to bring my own small trim weights. These are opaque to x-ray equipment and will almost always trigger a secondary screening for either carry ons or checked bags

Watch the weight limit. It's easy to exceed for a week long trip if you're packing dive gear in your checked bag, especially if you are bringing an extra pair of shoes, formal clothes, or cold weather clothing.

Anyone have dive gear stolen when checked with airline? Thanks.

I've never had anything stolen from a checked bag. The main concerns are rough handling, delays, and to a lesser extent the airline losing the whole bag.

 

[mcohen1021]

Any better ways to pack? Anyone have dive gear stolen when checked with airline? Thanks.

Never had gear stolen, but unless the guys manning the xray machines are the culprits, you'd never know I packed gear in a regular suitcase.

I pack 2 sets of gear plus a few extras in a single checked bag and it adds up to ~49#:

2 BCDs
2 1.5 mil heater tops
2 masks
2 sets of fins
2 sets of boots
2 snorkels
2 flashlights
1 wrist mount dive pc
1 12 oz bottle of sunscreen
My toiletries

I carry the 2 regulators, go pro and laptop in my backpack that I carry on.

Note: On the return, you may need to make adjustments – damp/wet boots and wetsuit tops do push it over the magical 50# weight limit.

 

[Guitarcrazy]

Thanks for the replies. What is wrong with this time of year in PV Doc? Low vis?

 

[DeputyDan]

Regs and computers always go with me as carry on. Everything else is checked.

And for me my mask as well since its prescription.

To the OP - might be a good ideal to pack your c-card in your carryon :- O