Reducing your gear size for travel

[nielsent]

So it occurred to me the other day while I was packing up my stuff to go off for a two week contract (and a lot of diving on the side) That i have a lot of gear that I travel with when I travel by car.

I dive in areas where it is very cold and requires a drysuit, this adds to the kit, and I tend to dive solo so i always have a bail-out bottle, and my doubles, adding eve more gear.

So I was sitting in my mess of stuff and thinking to myself, "How could I be packing this stuff more efficiently.

So one of the things that crossed my mind was leaving the things that i put in my drysuit pockets in the pockets at all times, even when its rolled up in the bag.

The other thing i noticed is that there is a fair amount of room in my drysuit bag, so why couldn't i put my fins, hood, gloves in there as well?

These are a couple of thoughts that I had. I am looking for two things in this thread:

1) Do any of you do the things i described to reduce baggage? Does anyone have any criticisms?

2) What things do you do to reduce your dive baggage when travelling short-medium distances, for the sake of argument, lets say by vehicle and less than 1000 miles.

Thanks for the feedback!

-- nielsent

 

[Cave Diver]

So one of the things that crossed my mind was leaving the things that i put in my drysuit pockets in the pockets at all times, even when its rolled up in the bag.

My drysuit pocket contents never leave my pockets unless I need them during a dive. It has nothing to do with saving packing space and everything to do with safety. I can't forget something that's already there. I do pull them out when I'm preparing for a trip and check condition of the items, then they go right back in.

 

[rx7diver]

Nielsent,

Do you absolutely *need* doubles? If you do, then why not dive them as independent doubles (i.e., "twins") so you can forego the bailout bottle and its reg, reg bag, etc.? If you don't, then why not dive a single cylinder and a bailout bottle so you can forego the second back tank and its reg, reg bag, etc.?

I don't think I would feel comfortable packing my drysuit with stuff in its pockets, or with other stuff—especially *hard* stuff—in the drysuit bag, for fear that the drysuit might get holed while in transit.

Hope this helps.

Safe Diving,

Ronald

 

[TSandM]

The stuff in my dry suit pockets stays in my dry suit pockets, unless what I need changes. I've never had any damage to a dry suit from stuff in the pockets (but I don't carry anything sharp there, either).

For short distance car travel, I don't worry about efficiency much. But for longer distances, we've gotten quite fond of the small Stanley tool trunks. You can get everything but your tanks into one of those, and it holds things neatly, and it's easy to move around.

 

[Dive Bug Bit Me]

I have just finished packing for a trip to Florida (finally going to see what cave diving is all about). Admittedly I am flying. My dry suit goes in its bag with my regulators and dive computers. This goes hand luggage with me. The BP goes at the bottom of my check in bag, with the remaining equipment getting wrapped up in my thermals.

Oh, I tend to unpack my drysuit pockets as this gives me an opportunity to check each item after a dive trip. The SMB, finger spools and wet notes actually take up minimal room in the bag anyway.

I try to arrange to rent doubles / stages where I go cause those are a pain to fly.

 

[modzs]

Living in the Midwest forces me to fly often to dive "the good spots". I carry my regs, computer and gauges in my carry on. Then I pack my BP/W and drysuit/wetsuit. I only fly Southwest because I have one whole bag dedicated to gear and the other one for non-diving related activities.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

I think this is a great topic for discussion, and have enjoyed what I read so far. If I am driving to a dive destination, I take every little thing I can think of. When flying, my wife and I take all our gear, including 3 mil wet suits, but of course, no lead or tanks. Those will be available at the other end. We take what we need for the dives , which includes 2 lights apiece, and other stuff. We distribute heavy things throughout other baggage and carry- ons to avoid an extra weight baggage charge. But for me, I'd rather pay a few dollars to have what I know is quality and well serviced gear to dive with. We check all our gear EXCEPT my prescription masks.
DivemasterDennis

 

[RTee]

Driving vs flying. Driving... 2 X rubbermaid tubs (one for each diver) containing pretty much all the goodies including wet suit. If diving dry, then drysuit, rockboots hood, mitts and underwear in drysuit bag. If diving doubles, then tanks/BP/Wg already assembled.
Flying...then it usually means we are going south. In this case, travel backplate, applicable wetsuit/chicken vest, boots, light(s) etc in diving suitcase which goes as a check-in item. Clothes/mask (carry-on), regs/computer/camera (personal item)