Traveling with gear

[SkipperJohn]

I've purchased just about all of the little things I need to dive and the last 2, the big ones remain (BC & reg). I was thinking how my CW dives was with a new BC and an integrated weight system which I really liked. My OW was with a belt. Then I got to thinking... if I travel I'd be spending a few bucks for an extra suitcase now. If I bring weights I will be paying more for overweight luggage too. I recall how the dive boats all seemed to have a bunch of lead weights on board but nothing for the integrated system. Do you guys travel with your weights or simply resort to a belt and let the integrated pockets just sit empty when traveling to remote locations. Or do you opt to rent the full BC? There is probably a ton of other questions about traveling with your SCUBA equipment. Anything else I should be aware of before I bite this rather big bullet?

 

[DivingPrincessE]

I've purchased just about all of the little things I need to dive and the last 2, the big ones remain (BC & reg). I was thinking how my CW dives was with a new BC and an integrated weight system which I really liked. My OW was with a belt. Then I got to thinking... if I travel I'd be spending a few bucks for an extra suitcase now. If I bring weights I will be paying more for overweight luggage too. I recall how the dive boats all seemed to have a bunch of lead weights on board but nothing for the integrated system. Do you guys travel with your weights or simply resort to a belt and let the integrated pockets just sit empty when traveling to remote locations. Or do you opt to rent the full BC? There is probably a ton of other questions about traveling with your SCUBA equipment. Anything else I should be aware of before I bite this rather big bullet?

By integrated weight system I assume you mean it has pockets to put weight in. The same weight that is used for a weight belt can be used to put in the empty pockets on your integrated weight BC. Don't travel with weights, you will be over weight limits and it will end up costing you anywhere from $50-$100 in fees. Every dive boat I have ever been on has a bunch of weights...and this is especially the case in vacation destinations.

 

[lmorin]

By integrated weight system I assume you mean it has pockets to put weight in. The same weight that is used for a weight belt can be used to put in the empty pockets on your integrated weight BC. Don't travel with weights, you will be over weight limits and it will end up costing you anywhere from $50-$100 in fees. Every dive boat I have ever been on has a bunch of weights...and this is especially the case in vacation destinations.

Ditto.

 

[ryanthieme]

I just got back from a 7 day cruise and took all my gear except my weights. The 2 dive boats I was on had a milk crate full of assorted weights to choose from.

Don't travel with your weights.

~ryan

 

[Doc]

I had a milk crate full of assorted weights

The standard container of all dive operations.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Yeah what they said....for sure. Travelling with your own weights is uncomfortable and unnecessary.....sorry forgot the most important downside....COSTLY in airline fees.

 

[Guba]

Ditto Ditto Ditto

 

[Teamcasa]

Having an integrated weight system, weight pockets, does not require the use of soft weights. Hard weights can be used with either a weight belt or with an integrated weight system. As others have said, no of us ever travel with our weights or tanks (some will take a small pony tank but it is becoming more and more of a hassle). All resorts/boats have tons of them.

 

[-hh]

Yeah what they said....for sure. Travelling with your own weights is uncomfortable and unnecessary.

I've generally only seen a few exceptions:

1) People who bring along a set of ankle weights.
In my book, this is OK (if you really do need it)

2) People who carry their own 1lb weight because they're fussy about being weighted "perfectly".
In my book, carrying one extra pound isn't enough to worry about...and I do have to suspect that they're bad at math: if you really, really need 5lbs instead of 6lbs, then take a 2lb and a 3lb instead of two 2lbs and the 1lb you brought from home

3) People who bring along Xlbs worth of their own soft weights, usually because they find normal weights 'uncomfortable'.
In my book, this is why you wear a 3mm suit in warmwater :cool2:

As for me, when I take a weight-integrated BC, I generally bring along the empty pockets, but usually end up not getting them wet and using a standard weightbelt instead...usually one that I've also brought along with a nice metal clasp, as I strongly believe in avoiding weightbelts with cheap plastic buckles you typically find at most destination resorts.


-hh

 

[SkipperJohn]

great, thanks. Anything else? Do you always bring your BC? & other equipment?
I own both shoe and open fins, the dives I did they perfered shoe fins. Should I bring both? Or if only 1, then which ones?
I guess my ignorance comes form my only dives being a vacation dive. I am very much in the dark on what else there is.