Travelling with Gear

[knowone]

I'm new to diving, but do I really need to carry mask, fins, etc with me when I travel or can I just rent that stuff when I get in country? Also do most divers own their own regulator and roughly what is the cost?

Travel unencumbered while you still can. Right now gear is gear, that you can pay a few hundred for or a few thousand.

 

[k ellis]

In this modern day era they are actually making equipment soley for travel if that is your preference. I have seen BCDs that fold up so small you could actually fit them in a bag the size of the ones Fins come in.

Now the real answer to your question is quiet broad and very much dependant on the circumstances. For example you fly to Hawaii but are only going to do one 2 tank boat dive in 2 weeks. In this instance for all of your headache and effort it would be far easier and about as cheap thanks to airline greed to rent your gear. Use it then return it and dont have to worry about rinsing and drying and repacking all of that is not a problem. Now if your flying to Hawaii for 7 days of non stop diving then it would be more economical to bring all of your own gear and in my opinion (Just an opinion) alot more fun.

There are also the issues of do you dive like I do which is every weekend or two with around 70 dives per year or are you the once a year vacation diver. If your a vacation diver youll be far better off to rent as opposed to own as you wont have maintenance cost and have to worry with preventive maitenance. But if your a weekend warrior in diving then its going to save you a fortune to just own your own gear.

Also how you travel makes a diffrence too. Do you drive to the florida keys and own a suburban or pickup. If so then room is little concern since youll have an over abundance of room. If you fly then feeding the airlines thirst for nickle and dimeing can bankrupt you quick if your bags are either numerous or over 50 pounds.

If you decide you wish to purchase your gear take your time and research gear and ask around. If possible try out the gear first and over multiple dives and attempt to use the gear as closely as possible to the conditions you intend to dive under.

Hope this helps and have an awesome time diving!

 

[RJP]

I'm new to diving, but do I really need to carry mask, fins, etc with me when I travel or can I just rent that stuff when I get in country? Also do most divers own their own regulator and roughly what is the cost?

I bring everything but tanks (don't use weights) but for sure I would bring my own mask and fins. To me, the two most critical parts of diving are...

1. Seeing stuff - that's why we dive of course
2. Effective propulsion - so I can see "this stuff here" and then go see "that stuff over there"

A leaky uncomfortable mask and/or innefective/uncomfortable fins will ruin a dive. I can deal with pretty much anything else for the length of a recreational dive.

 

[RJP]

For example you fly to Hawaii but are only going to do one 2 tank boat dive in 2 weeks.

Who would do that?

:shocked2:

 

[TMHeimer]

Actually, you don't--it seems to be hit and miss, with lots of variation among carriers and destinations. I paid nothing to check a bag on Continental to Cancun a couple of weeks back, but the trip before on a different carrier to the Bahamas involved a nominal fee. What hasn't changed in a long time is the 50 lb weight limit, and that's a lot of gear, especially if you carry on a couple of heavier items, such as regulators and primary lights.

Thanks. That's new to me and may help when we plan Panama on Continental next year.

 

[RJP]

There are also the issues of do you dive like I do which is every weekend or two with around 70 dives per year or are you the once a year vacation diver. If your a vacation diver youll be far better off to rent as opposed to own as you wont have maintenance cost and have to worry with preventive maitenance. But if your a weekend warrior in diving then its going to save you a fortune to just own your own gear.

If you dive more often, you should own your own gear.

If you own your own gear, you will dive more often.

 

[RJP]

But if you're a weekend warrior then its going to save you a fortune to just own your own gear.

Sure it will.

In fact, if I save any more money diving I'm gonna have to sell my house!

 

[Doc]

If you dive more often, you should own your own gear.

If you own your own gear, you will dive more often.

If all you have is a frypan,

skip the baked chicken recipe.

 

[k ellis]

Who would do that?

:shocked2:

Youd be surprised

 

[k ellis]

If you dive more often, you should own your own gear.

If you own your own gear, you will dive more often.

agreed