Packing Scuba Gear for Flying - You're Almost There!You can almost feel the sun on your face. You're ready to go. Just one more thing. Packing scuba gear for flying to that eagerly anticipated scuba dive vacation. So what's the best way to pack your scuba gear? Especially if you like to travel light like me. But it has to be done. Just try and think of the money you'll be saving on renting. Not to mention the comfort level of diving with you own stuff. Many gear bags are in pretty, bright colors. You can't miss them. When I see one of them on a conveyor belt (or the pullcart, depending on the island!) at the airport, to me it screams "open me up, I have alot of expensive gear inside." For your gear bag, I would suggest buying a plain, non-descript bag. No need to advertise what's inside. Many, if not most, scuba gear bags these days come in plain, unmarked (or very small label) black bags. Now, I have no idea if the theft rate is any higher with a brightly colored scuba bag than with other bags. I haven't been able to find any statistics on the issue. I just feel more comfortable with a plain bag. It's a personal choice. What we use when packing our scuba gear for flying is a big, black non-descript rolling duffel bag. The wheels are key since all that gear can get heavy. And you'll only look like you overpacked, not like you have hundreds of dollars worth of equipment with you. The bag is big enough for packing all our scuba gear for flying in the one bag. We fit our scuba diving mask, scuba diving fins, scuba diving wetsuits, BC's and alot of other stuff in the bag with no problem. We pad the regulator with clothes and have never had a problem. Of course, remember it's in there before you throw that bag up in the overhead compartment. They sell special bags just for regulators if that makes you more comfortable. A couple of times we did check our regulators in the big bag. We wrapped them in our skins/clothes and put them in the middle of the bag so they would have some cushion. It worked out fine but I'm more comfortable carrying it with me. My suggestion is to do the same. Our scuba diving computer has a plastic covering around it. We usually just put it in a thick sock to cushion it and prevent scratches. I know, very high tech. But very economical and it works fine. We also travel with the dive computer batttery out of the computer. This way if there is a problem with the battery it doesn't ruin the computer. Plus there is no way the computer can turn on accidentally and waste the battery. Masks are durable and can take alot of beating. Sometimes if we need the room we'll wrap the mask in our diveskin, wetsuit, or other piece of clothing to prevent scratches. We've been traveling with these masks for 15 years and they are still in good shape. We put the BC's in the bag first when packing our scuba gear for flying. It helps to cushion the other equipment. If we are only taking our mask, fins and snorkel, then we typically only use carry-on bags. In this case, I can fit my fins in my carry-on size suitcase if I bend the tips a little. I put them across the luggage with the feet at the opposite ends. I was a little leery of doing this at first but it was fine. The tips bounce right back. But use your own judgment here, your fins may react differently. I'm still using my original fins from 15 year ago and they are fine. Maybe a little discolored and scratched (not from the packing) but performance is still fine. There you have it. Our method of packing scuba gear for flying. We hope it helps you. When it seems like a chore, just think of all the fun ahead of you. It's bound to put a smile on your face. So start packing your scuba gear for flying, get on the plane and go! Top of Packing Scuba Gear for Flying
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All the other things you may want when packing your scuba gear for flying should easily fit in the nooks and crannies of your gear bag. We add our slates, tank bangers, flashlights, defogger, etc. with no problem.
