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#267
Traveling gear
Starky - 10/16/2018 1:38 PM
Category: New Diver Q&A
Replies: 14

We are finally taking our trip to Cozumel in January. Should I bring my own gear or use resort/dive shop gear. We each get a free suitcase and carry-on and I can get all my gear less weights in the suitcase and keep it under the 50# max. I would prefer to use my own gear but is this overkill. Either way I would still bring my own mask, fins and wet suit.
What do most people do that travel?
#12117
Eric_R - 10/16/2018 6:38 PM
I just got back from Hawaii and took everything but a wetsuit. I carried my reg set in my carry-on. I used my dive gear bag as my suit case and was just under #50.
#3240
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daz88 - 10/16/2018 9:36 PM
Always take my own gear!
#20384
LatitudeAdjustment - 10/17/2018 6:31 AM
Take your own gear, some of that 3rd world rental gear is pretty sketchy, there are no government requirements for service, the equipment service tech is probably on the job training :(
#6896
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GreggS - 10/17/2018 3:11 PM
I take all my own equipment as well (minus tanks and weights, of course.) Don’t take any superfluous items you won’t and can’t dive with (knife, gloves, for instance) and you should be able to pack everything else with clothes with no problem staying under the weight limit. You’re always more comfortable diving with familiar gear than rental which may or may not be safe to use.
#267
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Starky - 10/18/2018 2:55 PM
Thanks guys, this helps a lot. Really looking forward to this trip.
#20384
LatitudeAdjustment - 10/19/2018 8:04 AM
From GreggS: Don’t take any superfluous items you won’t and can’t dive with (knife, gloves, for instance)

I did find in Greece that taking the dive knife thru their version of TSA gets you a Police escort who carries your dive bag to the boat :)
#267
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Starky - 10/19/2018 12:56 PM
Thanks for the advise. I’ll take it off my BC.
#114
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sdweller - 10/19/2018 3:36 PM
Honestly, I use the equipment of the Resort I’m visiting...other than my mask & fins. Most good resorts/centers have good equipment...remember if it’s a bit washed out that’s because they use it a lot,but they also service it a lot.
#2242
MDW - 11/05/2018 11:28 AM
I always prefer to take all my own. I know where it’s been, I’m used to it, and so I’m pretty sure it will not kill me.
#55
ChadS - 12/20/2018 1:46 AM
I prefer to take my own gear. A pain packing and getting through the airlines without extra bag fess, but worth it when at the dive site!
#267
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Starky - 1/29/2019 2:33 PM
So I just got back from Cozumel and all went well. Although Deep Blue’s gear was very good, I’m glad I took my own. Learned a couple things about my gear that I didn’t know before. Going to have to invest in a quality bag to get from the room to the pier. The cheap one I bought lasted one dive and the shoulder strap pulled out. I guess you get what you pay for. Thousands of dollars worth of equipment in a $24 bag...what do you expect.
#86
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CharlesGraves - 2/15/2019 3:28 AM
Hey, good question! It really depends on how often you dive, but my recommendation on the gear to bring (if diving is an important long term thing for you) is this stuff:

Most important =

-mask, fins, boots, snorkel if you use one (good to bring it just in case)
-BCD
-regulator and hoses
-dive bag
-dive computer/watch
-wetsuit or maybe drysuit depending on temp

Still important but less Important to bring is gadgets like =

-compass
-reel
-SMB
-cameras
-flashlights
-DPV (if you’re feeling lazy)

Personally me and my wife bring all of this stuff with me and my wife when we go diving, her equip and my equip both. We usually just have to pack one extra box. It’s worth the cost to bring your own gear. The DPV we pack in the box along with our other stuff and duct tape it

But if you’re just getting started I recommend just bringing the top group of the basics and don’t worry too much about the rest
#2553
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joe_bird - 2/18/2019 11:04 PM
I take everything when I travel and dive, even down to my weights if I am going to have room and still be under the weight max. However, I always carry my reg set in carry on.
#119
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SanctumDive - 3/06/2019 2:46 AM
Travel gear is an important part of any backpacking trip. This is the all travel & camera equipment I pack on my regular adventures around the world.