Scuba Travel Tips

Travel Tips for Divers

I love to travel.  Here are a few travel tips specifically for divers.  Please feel free to add your tips to the list using the comments at the bottom.

Start the trip early by researching and getting prepared.  As soon as I have picked a destination it is on my mind and starts the trip.  The more I learn about the location the more I feel like I am there.  I find this extends the benefit of travel and of course it helps me be better prepared when I finally arrive.  Besides the obvious travel guides check to see it your destination has been the location for films or books.

Basic

Do your homework about the dive sites, conditions, and resources. If you are going to a popular dive area they probably have everything an Open Water Divers needs, but it is much better to contact the local operator(s) and talk to them.  Obviously, the farther you wander from civilization, the more gear you will likely need to bring.

Essential Items

• Certification Card(s) + Photo ID
• Log Book
• Local permit? sometimes required in advance
  

Advanced

If you want or need to bring equipment verify it is safe and reliable.  Ideally the gear should be taken for a couple test dives, especially items that have just been serviced.  Damn near every trip I've been on someone has an equipment failure on an item that "just got serviced before the trip."  Once, a freshly serviced BC inflator got stuck open and nearly took my student to the surface and the hospital (Diver Down - A Runaway Dive).

• Check list(s)
• Ear rinse - ear infections can end dive trips
  
• Pack like a gorilla is going to "handle" your bags
• Know your airline baggage rules. There have been numerous and significant changes
• Consider shipping gear separately

Urban Myth

A number of references on the web, most leading back to this blog post, suggest that packing a firearm somehow adds extra security via TSA tracking.  It does not.  Your case it just as likely or unlikely to be broken in to.

General Travel

• Make sure that you have a full-day's worth of clothing, medications, toiletries, etc. in your carry-on!
• Carry a copy of all critical items; passport, tickets, cards, etc.  I also keep a PDF copy on the 'web' (email yourself a copy).
• Inquire about the local power supply.  A power strip can relocate and multiply the rare wall outlet.

Primary Travel Influences
OneBag
Rick Steves