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What do you bring on a dive trip?

When you spend valuable vacation time and hard earned money to go on an exotic (or not so exotic) dive trip it’s essential to make sure you are fully prepared.

Many of the best dive locations in the world are in remote areas, some are even out of the country.  This means the accommodations may be removed from cities and other populated areas.  You aren’t necessarily going to have a mall or convenience store at your fingertips.  What about a fully equipped dive shop with a repair center?  Pharmacy?

These lists aren’t just for faraway places, if you do shore dives or go out on a pals boat some of these tips for your kit may save your own or your buddies dive.

Experienced divers usually have some sort of a save a dive kit, but you may need to beef it up a bit for international trips.  Having gone on 13 international SCUBA trips, I would like to think we learned a thing or two on how to prepare and what to bring along.

Of course you know to pack your clothes, toiletries and dive gear.  Now that we have you thinking about dive travel and how location can necessitate what you may need, here are some ideas you may want to incorporate into your dive kit in the future.

Prepare

If you have not been diving in a few months or longer, it would be best if you did a dive or two prior to taking off on a trip.  Diving prior will let you know if your body is in shape for diving.  This is also a great opportunity to give your gear a once over.

• Make sure your BCD and regulator has current yearly service and is working properly.
• Get a fresh battery in your computer.
• Dive and trip insurance.  There are plenty of places to buy these, but Dive Assure makes is quick and easy on with on the web sign up.  Bookmark the link below.
• 

• Make a few copies of your passport.  Stow one copy in a different bag than your original passport.  Give one copy to a family member or friend along with your travel itinerary for emergencies.  Email yourself these travel documents as well.  Most international travel means your passport needs to be good for 6 months upon landing in your destination.
• Have the nearest embassy phone number and address as well as phone and address of the nearest hospital and chamber.
• Call your credit card company to let them know where you are going to be.  You don’t want to be stuck with a non-working credit card like I was in Egypt several years ago.  Not fun!
• A lot of international dive locations use DIN valves, but not all.  Make sure you have a compatible first stage or an adaptor.
• Some airlines have special baggage rates for sports equipment, do your homework, it could save you some money.  Have the airline put a “fragile” sticker on your gear.  It’s free and couldn’t hurt. Carry on your regulator.
• Bring your certification card/nitrox card!

Dive Kit:

• Extra mask
• Defog
• Mouthpiece for your regulator
• Zip ties
• Dive tables (What happens if your computer conks out?)
• Surface marker (This should be part of your everyday dive gear!)
• Unbroken glow stick for your BCD pocket.  (night emergency)
• Back up light (Always take batteries out for travel, fire hazard.)
• Fresh batteries for lights
• Fin and Mask strap
• O-rings
• Pen and log book

Extra stuff to bring:

• BYO toilet paper.  In many countries this is not complimentary in public restrooms.  I usually have small tissue packets in my bag at all times.  (We learned this the hard way.)
• Plug adapter and power strip.  Phone, camera, razor, computer, e-reader….  You can’t plug them all into just one adapter.
• Rash guards are awesome.  Less sunblock, washable in the sink, dries quickly.  Can’t beat them for travel.
• Small chamois or sarong instead of a big bulky beach towel.  They dry quicker, take up less room and if you are like me you will end up wearing the sarong.
• Lady products.  Some countries have different, unfamiliar brands and styles.  It’s best to bring what you know works.
• Sunblock
• Bug repellant
• Hat

Where ever you are going for your next dive excursion its important to be prepared and aware of your diving environment.  Again if you haven’t dived in a while schedule a check out dive before you leave with us at Island Divers Hawaii.  Remember a confident diver is a safe diver!  Contact us today to get back in the water or to find out where we are diving next! www.oahuscubadiving.com/dive-travel/

Matt and Sheila on the liveaboard vessel Siren at the Voli Voli resort in Fiji

This afternoon on the Sea Fox we had a full load of 8 divers out for some lazy labor day diving.

Before the herd arrived @ 1200, Michael showed up @ 0900 with his wife Vanessa to complete his Discover Scuba Diving orientation. Vanessa, already a certified PADI Open Water diver, relaxed at a nearby coffee shop while her husband completed his orientation video and brief training dive at the Makai Research Pier.

Boarding the Sea Fox @ 1200, they were joined by 4 other certified divers and 2 students completing their PADI Open Water Course. The first dive site on the agenda was Koko Craters. Met with 100ft visibility, the divers could see straight to the bottom from topside, and out as far as they could see down below. Divemaster Carlos led the certified divers while MSDT Instructor Manolo led the 2 students and DSD Diver. Numerous turtles of all sizes swam around the divers along with a scorpion fish, a school of trigger fish, banner fish, and trumpet fish.

After a 37 minute surface interval, the divers re-entered the ocean @ Turtle Canyons. Despite the name, Turtle Canyons is know of octopus and giant morays. Both of which were spotted on the dive. Asides from the local celebrities, numerous hermit crabs were spotted on coral along with the rose pedal-like eggs of Spanish Dancers.

Congratulations to both Soongup, Kate, and Michael for completing their open water courses and DSD experiences, respectively.

Dive Stats:
Koko Crater & Turtle Canyons
38ft – 43min & 40ft – 44min

Big shout out to the Crew: Capt. Kendal, Carlos, and Manolo.