Dive trips are exciting, but can be a real chore when it comes time to pack for the flight. There’s the advantage of having all your own equipment and not using questionable rentals versus the task of getting it all to your destination.

Dividing equipment between carry-on and checked luggage can ease the burden slightly. Then the problem becomes, “What equipment should I check?” Here are four considerations to help with this decision:

• Legality

  If you’re not allowed to have it on a plane, then the decision has been made for you; so don’t even bother with that dive knife. I’ve heard mixed results from carrying pony bottles, with most saying they are fine. Check with the TSA’s (if flying from the US) set of ever-changing rules for up-to-date information.

• Cost

  How expensive is the particular item? Don’t expect the airlines to reimburse you for broken goods, just ask this guy. If it’s expensive, you may want to consider carrying it with you.

• Breakability

  Likewise, if something is likely to be broken when tossed (even inside a case), it also may be better off with you. There is a variety of luggage specifically designed for protecting dive gear, so you may want to give that a try. Keep in mind, however, that security may go through your bag and not put all the pieces back in exactly the manner that guarantees their safety.

• Importance

  How easily can you go without something? More so than just breaking something, luggage can get lost. If a checked item doesn’t show up until the end of the week, will it significantly affect your diving? For this reason, most people will forgo their own weights on trips.

• Space

  If it won’t fit in an overhead space, then the choice has been made for you; either check it or leave it at home.

If you still have no idea what to do, then here’s a starting point:

Carry-on: regulator, mask (especially if prescription), camera equipment.

Check: BCD, fins, snorkel, wetsuit, knife.

Use the above criteria to tweak these lists until you are satisfied.

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 7:07 am and is filed under Gear, Travel. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.