If you are like most avid divers, you’ve spent time and a decent amount of money on accumulating all the dive gear you need to explore comfortably the underwater world we love. Protecting that investment becomes your priority when packing for a dive trip involving air travel. Here we will give you some basic tips for packing your dive gear safely and successfully for easy travel.
The most important tip we can offer is this: pack your most expensive dive equipment in your carry-on luggage! This means your computer and regulator set-up and any camera equipment you may have.
Pack your most expensive dive equipment in your carry-on luggage!
Most dive gear manufacturers make excellent regulator bags in compact sizes so you can protect your life support equipment and fit it in your carry-on at the same time. In fact, most dive gear companies now make top-notch carry-on dive gear bags. If you do a lot of dive travel, it may be worth your time to invest in a separate, a travel specific set of dive gear. Most major gear companies make compact, travel specific buoyancy compensators that pack up amazingly small, smaller full-foot fins, and thin packable wetsuits (for those tropical destinations). All which will fit comfortably into one of the gear specific carry-on sized gear bags.
Packing Steps:
Whether packing your gear bag for carry-on or a full sized gear bag for check-in, if you follow these simple steps for organizing your gear into the bag, everything will be as protected as possible:
1 Lay your BCD on the bottom of the gear bag, flattened out and centered in the bag. 2 Put one fin on either side of the BCD to protect it during the flight. 3 Make sure your dive mask is contained in its plastic container to protect it and bring an extra mask! They are very expensive to replace during a vacation. 4 Pack your dive knife in your checked luggage ... it is not allowed aboard the plane. 5 Fold your wetsuit in half and lay it on top of your BCD. Minimize the folding of your wet suit, as too many folds will compromise the neoprene. 6 Leave your tanks and weights at home! They will always be provided by the dive store/boat you will be diving with. 7 Don’t forget any accessories you will want during your dives such as gloves, dive lights, save-a-dive kit, etc. 8 Have Fun!This is a busy time for dive travel and by following these simple packing steps, you will have a stress free trip. It’s always a good thing when we, and our dive gear, show up to our destinations in one piece.
