What to bring to Coz???

[DandyDon]

Antihistamines are sleeping pills for me; I only take them when I am sick and want to sleep through it. I do take decongestants (Sudfed) before going out diving, though.

Well I don't get motion sickness, but for those so inclined - there are non-drowsy formulas.

But then, I've taken generic sudafed and generic antihistamines so many years, neither bother me.

 

[ggunn]

Well I don't get motion sickness, but for those so inclined - there are non-drowsy formulas.

But then, I've taken generic sudafed and generic antihistamines so many years, neither bother me.

Sudafed and antihistamines are very different in their effects on me. Sudafed is a mild stimulant, while antihistamines are a pretty drastic depressant.

I don't have a prob with motion sickness, either; I grew up in a boating family, so I eventually got acclimated to the motion of water, though I used to get sick as a dog when I was a kid. My wife is one of those fortunate people who have never experienced the slightest twinge of it. She can hole up in a stifling cabin in 10 foot seas breathing diesel fumes and the smell of ripening baitfish reading a fine print book with a flashlight and never bat an eye.

 

[Fordan]

- safety sausage thing (what brand is good?)
- storm whistle

I like DAN's Safety Sausage. 6 foot, has an overpressure valve so it can be deployed underwater or as a lift bag, has a mesh area where it comes with a light stick, storm whistle, and signalling mirror, plus helping a good cause.

And in response to the post I know is going to come, yes you can deploy bags without a overpressure valve from depth, especially if it's a cheap one, right Don?

- traveller's checks to pay for diving / hotel (per Caribe Blu's recommendation to avoid tax)

Avoid tax, or avoid credit card surchages? The tax down there is 10% (plus 2% for hotels), whereas many places pass on the 4 or 5% surcharge they have to pay the banks on credit card transactions. I'd be a bit dubious of anyplace trying to avoid the governmental IVA tax...

 

[DandyDon]

I like DAN's Safety Sausage. 6 foot, has an overpressure valve so it can be deployed underwater or as a lift bag, has a mesh area where it comes with a light stick, storm whistle, and signalling mirror, plus helping a good cause.

That's true - it's a good deal on a superior sausage, and includes the Storm Whistle by brand I prefer, as well as the mirror that so few get - but I also carry. It is a good package, good deal, good price, good organization.

And in response to the post I know is going to come, yes you can deploy bags without a overpressure valve from depth, especially if it's a cheap one, right Don?

Aw, I wasn't going to bring it up, as we've gone over this in detail a few times already, and the OP is too new at scuba to be shooting one from a reel at depth. Later, for Aow course! Any sausage he carries, the Dan model, the $15 lip-pucker-blow model, almost whatever will work on the surface and no diver should go to sea without one or similar - yet so many do.

Avoid tax, or avoid credit card surchages? The tax down there is 10% (plus 2% for hotels), whereas many places pass on the 4 or 5% surcharge they have to pay the banks on credit card transactions. I'd be a bit dubious of anyplace trying to avoid the governmental IVA tax...

Yep, that's how it works. Pay with Travelers Checks and get a big discount. The hotel still pays the taxes, but save the processing fees, enjoys other benefits, and uses the TChecks as downline money.

 

[H2ODoc]

Wow - lots of responses. Thanks. Maybe I can summarize all of your answers:

- lots of drugs and maybe take a Dr. with me
- coffee brewing equipment - maybe a portable blow-up Starbucks
- a non-green ball point pen.



All right. I guess we are ready! I'm practicing my espanol:

- uno mas cerveza, por favor.

(by the way, I ordered the Coz maps per that recommendation!)

 

[DandyDon]

..maybe take a Dr. with me

Only if s/he specializes in tropical medicine and is a good dive buddy. :lol2: (We had a physician on my first Roatan trip, and he kept calling the tanks "Oxygen.")

Nah, getting ill in Coz is very rare as long as you stick to the 2 beer rule. Have a fun trip...!

 

[Scott Riemer]

- uno mas cerveza, por favor.

Sorry but that's "Una mas cerveza, por favor."

 

[H2ODoc]

Sorry but that's "Una mas cerveza, por favor."

A ha. Thanks. They'll know what I mean if I just say "una mas" right? It's tounge in cheek anyway - one or two beers is about my limit anymore these days - especially on a dive trip.

We chartered a 30 foot Catalina sailboat when we lived in SoCal and sailed with another couple to Catalina Island one weekend. The name of the boat was Uno Mas. I don't know why, but everyone that came by our mooring thought it was the funniest name for a boat. I guess its because it had that party atmosphere to the name... "just one more".

Thanks for the advice, all of you!

 

[ggunn]

Sorry but that's "Una mas cerveza, por favor."

Sorry, but that's "Tres mas cervesas, por favor." ;^)

 

[Scott Riemer]

Sorry, but that's "Tres mas cervesas, por favor." ;^)

Let's suffice to say that simply "mas cerveza(s)" will adequately cover it.