Saba/Win-Air/Wet BC?

[Zenshift]

We are staying overnight on Saba and have reservations for Win-air (1st flt in; last flt out) and it occurred to us that if we took our BC's they would still be wet on the return and thus throw off the weight/convenience of taking them. What are your experiences, and if you used the gear @ Sea Saba or Saba Deep, did they have integrated weight BC's or belts? And now, some smilies:

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

We are staying overnight on Saba and have reservations for Win-air (1st flt in; last flt out) and it occurred to us that if we took our BC's they would still be wet on the return and thus throw off the weight/convenience of taking them. What are your experiences, and if you used the gear @ Sea Saba or Saba Deep, did they have integrated weight BC's or belts? And now, some smilies:

You are staying overnight and taking the 1st flight in (day 1) and the last flight out (day 2). Why will your BCs still be wet? Additionally 5 lbs of water weight will not throw the plane off weight.

For information about Sea Saba it would most likely be best to contact them and ask about their equipment rentals

Sea Saba Advanced Scuba Dive Center is a dive shop which offers the PADI National Geographic program as well as best airfares, scuba diving, all Inclusive packages, Caribbean, Gay and Lesbian friendly, digital camera video rentals. Tauchen, Plonger,

Above is the link their contact page with email address included

email for SabaDeep is info@sabadeep.com
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Although, if you are actually staying overnight, there shouldn't be an issue with your BC being wet the next day

 

[Zenshift]

We're diving both days ... as soon as we get in and all morning on the 2nd day.

The real question becomes: with the issue of packing the BC on the return trip in mind, will it be worth it to take our personal BC?

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

It should be fine. Pack no weights (obviously), drain any water from the BC and then squeeze it against the body to get any water from the outside off...

I can't think it would add more than 3 lbs water weight to either BC. Win Air is not quite the 2-seater plane you might think. It is a dual engine plane that seats 19 or so.

I assume you will be puddle jumping back to St. Maarten, which is about 20-30 minutes and the plane doesn't pass 3500 ft
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We were there 2 years ago for the entire week. We all took full gear and never had a problem

 

[Zenshift]

Cool, thank you for your input. My wife and I are also sky divers and the WinAire Twin Otter is the kind of plane we've jumped out of. With all the people that have done day trips to Saba, the hassle of re-packing a wet BC is our only unknown variable.

 

[Manuel Sam]

I've done it many times (dive and then fly out) with my own gear and it's never been a problem (as far as having to pay for overweight charges).

Besides, the stuff tends to dry quite well under the sun and breeze at Ft. Bay.

 

[Revid1]

I usually use the gear on the islands, just from a convenience point of view. Sea Saba, as I recall has good equipment. My wife and I rented their BCs for the week. They were not weight integrated, but very few rentals are.

 

[pjones]

I'm going to state the obvious just so its out there. If you know of it and choose to ignore it than thats your decision. My intent is simply to remind you of possible danger because i would feel guilty if i didn't. During my training (PADI) it was recommended to have a minimum of 12-18 hours of surface interval before flying. Sounds like that would still be possible now that I look at it... ( I originally thought it was a full day until I looked it up in the book again)

Enjoy the trip!

 

[BHB ScubaTroll]

That information concerns commercial flights where cabin pressure is pressurized to 10,000 ft.

In this case, the plane is lucky if it gets to 3,000 ft.

 

[Zenshift]

In reference to the altitude ... the road across the island reaches almost as high (or higher) than the plane ... so no worries there. My whole question is based around the hassle of packing a big bag to accomodate the BC, or taking the backpack w/o it. I appreciate all the info.