Packing Your Dive Travel Bag for a Plane Trip
As you get ready for a trip and pack your travel bag, recognize that airlines can misplace checked luggage, but also realize that most dive gear can be rented at the site if there's a problem. So, think about what you really need the most, and put that gear in your carry-on.
- Mask: needs hard protective case, and best packed in carry-on. If you have prescription lenses, put mask in carry-on, for sure. Consider bringing a spare. (You don't really want to rent a mask from the dive shop, do you?)
- Mask de-fog: this is a liquid; so, best to pack in checked bag.
- Snorkel: pack with mask.
- Regulator and computer: pack in carry-on.
- Yoke adapter (if you have a DIN regulator): better to pack in carry-on.
- BCD: pack in checked bag.
- Safety sausage: pack in checked bag.
- Diver’s tool (knife): pack in checked bag, wrapped carefully so that it won't injure TSA personnel seaching your bag, or cut up your gear.
- Pocket light, primary light: pack in checked bag.
- Slate: pack in checked bag.
- Weight belt: pack in checked bag. Do not pack weights on a plane trip. These are always available at the dive site.
- Wet suit(s), dive skin, etc.: pack in checked bag.
- Gloves, booties, hood: pack in checked bag.
- Fins: pack in checked bag.
- Cylinders (including pony, Spare Air): has to be empty, with valve taken off; pack in checked bag.
- Camera gear: needs hard case if packed in checked bag.
- Mesh bag: for your gear at the dive site; pack in checked bag.
- Dry bag: pack in checked bag.
- Save-a-dive kit: pack in checked bag.
- Dive log, c-cards, DAN card: better to pack in carry-on. Note that SSI c-cards are available online.
- Spear guns: have to be checked
Also:
- Passport: usually can’t expire within 6 months of arrival.
- TSA lock: consider for checked bags
Check out the TSA website. It's a great tool to find out the current travel rules and regulations for traveling on the airline with your scuba equipment.