Travelling by plane with a crack-bottle SMB

[david92]

Hi,

I am soon going to Egypt and was hoping to take my SMB with built-in 0.3L cylinder.
Does anyone have any experience taking these through an airport and did you encounter any problems?

I have fully vented it, and planning to put it in my checked suitcase.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[DogDiver]

You will have to remove the valve. Then good luck with TSA

 

[Kharon]

There used to be a page on the TSA site concerning scuba tanks. I used to print it and put a copy in the bag with the tank (valve removed). I can't find thhat page anymore - the TSAA site has changed quite a bit. I still have some copies so I guess I'll be photocopying them for my trips from now on.

There is still the information but I can't seem to be able to print it.

 

[tursiops]

British Air requires the tank be empty. the best way to show this is to take the valve off.
Here are other (non TSA) policies.
Travelling With SCUBA Diving Equipment - SCUBA Diving, Diving, SCUBA tanks, Flying with Diving Equipment, Flying with Scuba Gear - Airline-Baggage-Fees.com

 

[Freewillow]

I have a friend that brings his deco bottle with him. Never had any problem with it. just once he had to open the tank in order to show that it had no air/O2 inside.

 

[Coztick]

I pack a 2l in my carry-on, valve removed so they can see it is basically a big water bottle...

 

[Diving Dubai]

Take the valve off, cover the bottle with some masking tape, I tape the valve neck to keep the O ring on it. Put it in your checked baggage no problems.

That said, I no longer take my crack bottle DSMB away with me. On a trip the guides normally put up their DSMB. I just carry a normal bottom inflate an small plastic finger spool as a just in case and save the 1-2kg weight. On a recent trip away, in 53 dives I needed to use my own DSMB once.

 

[ILIAS_GREECE]

DSMB is strongly neeted for red sea's dives, mostly at "straits dives" with currents.. but thing are not so bad,
you have as much time as you need to inflate "traditionaly". Just returning from Egypt, things at the airports have been
very "tide", and arguments with airport staf, may ruin your mood...