Travel tips for first timer?

[Kevrumbo]

For Canadian Citizens:
Registration of Canadians Abroad - Travel.gc.ca

(Similar to program for US Citizens abroad:
STEP)

 

[outofofficebrb]

I've never been to Canada or Australia, so take this with a grain of salt.

1.) I had a scuba tool confiscated in Grand Cayman at the security checkpoint (had I been willing to expend time & hassle I could've gotten it to a checked bag, but not worth it to me). Apparently getting on the plane in the cabin with a 'tool' can be a problem. Check it.

2.) Dive knives, even little ones, are still knives. Check it.

3.) IIRC, it's threads heading to & from Mexico where I see people talking about carry on vs. checked baggage for lithium ion batteries; is that something important to consider here? So far I've been blessed not to be hassled about batteries.

4.) I pack a disposable shaving razor to take the top off my mustache and touchup my face to aim in getting a good mask seal.

5.) Be sure you've got a charger for your smart phone! Airport shops can price gouge on those (I learned the hard way).

Richard.

No, the lithium ion battery issues exists in other countries as well. I’ve been specifically asked about it in New Zealand, Australia, Japan as well.

Buy a travel scale. Our luggage usually weighs 48# going. After a few days in a tropical climate, the moisture always puts them over 50#...not to mention wet dive gear. The scale lets you shift as needed so you don't get his with the $100 overweight charge. They will hit you even for a pound. Sometimes I swear they have a toe on the scale!

Safe travels,
Jay

These are light to carry and worth their weight. You won’t have to be that person at the airport scrambling to repack or redistribute because your stuff is overweight, especially when it is a piece concept for baggage check in. I highly recommend the Spigen one on Amazon. I’ve been using it for almost 2 years and it’s great. It does kg and lbs and also tares up to 100+ pound capacity.

 

[Hoag]

Yes I do, am going to pick up a GoPro in the next week or so and use that for photography. So it, my mask, suit and regs will go in cabin bag and the rest can be checked. Good to know.

If you are going to be using a GoPro, seriously look into getting a Flip 5 or similar system. You will get much better results with a filter like this than you will without it.

 

[Ankush Mittal]

If you are going to be using a GoPro, seriously look into getting a Flip 5 or similar system. You will get much better results with a filter like this than you will without it.

I just got the Flip5 with Micromate for my GoPro 5. Can't wait to try it out in the Andamans in about 2 weeks. With the backscatter tray, flip 5 system and protective gopro case the entire setup is a little bulky to carry but I am sure the final outcome will be well worth it.

 

[tr3a]

When entering AU, if customs decide to do a bag search and starts questioning your dive gear, especially where used do not admit to diving in fresh water (if you do). Otherwise they will want to decontaminate you gear by boiling it. Salt water no problem

 

[hilljo88]

Use a check list to confirm you have everything
Take cell photos of your passport, c-cards and DAN insurance card. Crucial if you lose them and handy if you just need to write down information on entry cards, etc.
Put anything small and expensive in your carry on: computers, lights etc. Pack shears or line cutter in checked bag. Leave knife at home with AK and rocket launcher.
I put my mask in a fin foot pocket. Never had a problem.
Wrap reg in wetsuit and put it in checked bag. On the way home, if gear is still damp it ends up 2 pounds heavier, so I put reg in carryon on way home
Pack lots of favorite snacks, at least half should be somewhat healthy. Great comfort if you need them, good for making friends even if you don't need them.
Bring extra batteries for anything that uses replaceable batteries. You may not be able to find them at your destination, and even if you do they will be more expensive than you can buy them at home.
Download podcasts and videos in case WIFI is sketchy.
Pack modest first aid/pharmacy supplies consistent with your level of hypochondria. Different size band aids for cuts and blisters, antiseptic ointment, anti-diarrhea, advil, favorite decongestant, chapstick, sun block, moisturizer, swimmers ear drops...
Clothing: with 2 quick drying swim suits and 3 rash guards I can do 4/5 dives per day comfortably. Clothing for surface intervals depends on what you have planned and with whom, but a general rule is to lay out the minimum of what you think you need and then pack only half of that.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Oh! I totally forgot. I have this laminated at home and this is what I use for every trip. I have yet to forget anything!

 

[TMHeimer]

For Canadian Citizens:
Registration of Canadians Abroad - Travel.gc.ca

(Similar to program for US Citizens abroad:
STEP)

Perhaps good advice, but when my wife had her passport stolen in Vegas the Can. Consulate was of absolutely no help. But that's just one experience.

 

[Snoweman]

Take cell photos of your passport, c-cards and DAN insurance card. Crucial if you lose them and handy if you just need to write down information on entry cards, etc.

I would go one step further and email those pictures to yourself. If TSHTF, then you can always go to a public computer to retrieve them.

BCD, Octo, Dive Computer, Nautilus Lifeline and Mask go in my carry-on, along with a dive shirt and suit, computer power cord and whatever clothes can fill it out. My personal item is a camera backpack that holds my DSLR, extra lens, GoPro, Mavic Pro with controller and extra battery, laptop and maybe a small tablet, extra batteries for other items, and maybe a portable speaker. Oh.... and in ear headphones, too.

Booties, Fins, snorkel, safety sausage, reel go in my checked bag along with lots of other items and clothes.

I am pretty sure the "weights" thing was typed in sarcastic font.