Should I pack my own mask & fins?

[utediver]

The family and I are going to Maui next week. I'm going on a couple of dives, my first in the ocean. The dive operation I am diving with will supply mask and fins but I was wondering if I should take my own. It would be easier not to pack this stuff so I don't have to pack around extra luggage. However I've read somewhere it's a good idea to take your own mask to make sure you have one that fits correctly so it doesn't leak.

 

[Doc]

Gauge yourself.

Can you pick up almost any mask and make it work for you? Or... do you need your special mask that you hand selected and works perfectly?

I can make anything work, my wife can not.

I have my favororite mask that I prefer, she has her model that she needs... is most comfortable with... one less stressor. It got to the point that since they were both "out of catalog", we bought 5 extra of each for future reference.

How comfortable are you just grabbing a mask, slapping it on, and going for a dive? Most "old fish" are happy with any mask, they get possessive about their flippers.... err- fins.

How about this- since you're asking at all, maybe use their fins but bring the mask that you are comfortable with? They don't weigh very much.

Pack it in the travel case and bring some toothpaste for defog!

 

[Walter]

Having your own mask is always a great idea for the reason you stated and it doesn't really take up much room. With that in mind, I would still rather use a rental mask than rental fins. I'd take all my gear, but if I could only take one thing, that would be my fins.

 

[Stu S.]

I took a few kids snorkeling and some had to rent. One girl kept getting water in her mask. The rental mask has a crack in the plastic frame that binds all the parts together.

Bringing your own might be insurance against such failures.

 

[Straegen]

I take my mask but leave my fins if flying. I can make do with any fin pretty much but not true for me on the mask front. If we are driving for a cruise or similar, I take it all.

 

[tkdgodess]

i just take my mask, reg, computer & own wetsuit. The rest i make work.

 

[oceanbound]

I always take my own mask. It's a personal choice. Not crazy about thinking of my face in someone elses snot lol. After that it's a matter of space. The only time the rental fins were an "issue" was in Grand Cayman. I was given some small fins, like those for kids/snorkel. I thought it was a joke. They said because I was small that was all they had. But it worked out fine with no problems. Wouldn't want them to drive dive in Cozumel though but worked out.

 

[iztok]

I just take everything but tanks and weights. Works great for me.

 

[ozziworld]

Gotta have a comfortable view to our underwater world. Isn't that why we dive? If our vision is compromised, what is the point? I would take both fins and mask always.

Plus there is the issue of other divers' snot and stuff.

 

[spectrum]

The family and I are going to Maui next week. I'm going on a couple of dives, my first in the ocean. The dive operation I am diving with will supply mask and fins but I was wondering if I should take my own. It would be easier not to pack this stuff so I don't have to pack around extra luggage. However I've read somewhere it's a good idea to take your own mask to make sure you have one that fits correctly so it doesn't leak.

If there is one item to bring it would be the mask as it it subject to personal fit and has a huge effect on your enjoyment and safety. In your carry-on it can get nested in with other items and take hardly any space. You can get away with leaving the case home or pack the case with socks while travelling.

RoatanMan makes apoint on some divers being an easy fit. Unfortunately you have no idea what sort of crap you may be handed. Fit could quickly become the least of your concerns.

Pete