Packing for my first dive trip. Pls Help

[chinacat46]

Originally Posted by Sparkyvett

I assume most people don't travel with their weights. Are they then supplied on most boats? I'm going to Cancun in May. Thats why I'm asking.

Yes most international places will supply weights, belts and tanks. Some areas in the US you need to rent weights and/or tanks so check.

[Sparkyvett]

Thanks for the Info. I've learned more here in the last week than I ever expected.

[Sounder]

Yup - tanks and weights are usually provided. IF they're not, find a different dive op.

[aaronle06]

Originally Posted by DiveSooner

Don't forget your C-cards.....

whats a c-card?

[huvrr]

your certification card

[scubasavvy]

Originally Posted by Doghouse

I am preparing for my first dive trip. My wife surprised me with a trip to Cancun, we leave Saturday. So I have very little time to prepare!

For those of you who travel to dive, what do you bring? What should you expect? What is proper for tipping on a boat dive?

Anything I should make sure I do NOT bring? Anything I should make sure I do NOT do (besides the normal ugly american things )

You need to bring Scubasavvy. All joking aside, maybe some anti nausea medication. I never got sick on a boat before I went out on a dive boat. I was sick for weeks after from the rocking. Then again, this is New England. Make sure you have dive insurance and your certification card, or you're not going to be doing much diving. Have fun!

[cowgirldiver]

I felt this same way when I went on my first dive trip. I was a newbie in with a bunch of experienced divers. I got a few suggestions and luckily once I got there, my roommate (who I was paired up with randomly) was an experienced diver willing to help me along. One thing I did take was some of those big ziplock bags. I mean the big blue ones that they advertise you can pack clothes in and stuff. They are way cheaper than a dry bag and worked great. I just stuffed my clothes in there and the boat and zipped it shut. If it wears out-just toss it-you only payed maybe a $1 for it!!!

[thesmoothdome]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents to this already awesome list.

1. Make a personal list of what you need well in advance of your trip. I started making mine for PNG about 3 weeks ago and still find myself adding to it.

2. Research your travel destination and make an appt. with your doctor to discuss needed vaccinations and drugs. Belize = no problem. PNG = cloroquine resistant malaria. Make sure your tetnus vaccination is up to date to.

3. If you take medication regularly, be sure to have double the amount you need for the trip. Weird things happen and you may find yourself away longer than you planned. My wife is diabetic, so we'll even be taking two insulin pumps with us on the next trip.

4. When packing be aware that different airlines have different weight restrictions. Air Pacific limits you to 50 pounds per bag and 11 pounds in carry-on. Air Niugini allows 44lbs TOTAL and 11 pounds carryon. My u/w camera equipment is already over this by about 2 pounds and my camera gear and laptop, which will fly in cabin with me is about 25 lbs. I'm already anticipating extra fees and refuse to let this bother me.

5. Always pack your regs, computer and mask in carryon. You can always rent everything else if your baggage is lost or delayed. Mask fitting is more tempermental and you know when your reg has been serviced and how it has been cared for. If you have room, toss in expsure protection and a swimsuit.

6. Be sure to pack your sense of humor and your island atitude. Delays, discomforts and inconveniences are part of traveling. The better you handle it, the more people will do their best to help you out.

[chinacat46]

Originally Posted by thesmoothdome

4. When packing be aware that different airlines have different weight restrictions. Air Pacific limits you to 50 pounds per bag and 11 pounds in carry-on. Air Niugini allows 44lbs TOTAL and 11 pounds carryon. My u/w camera equipment is already over this by about 2 pounds and my camera gear and laptop, which will fly in cabin with me is about 25 lbs. I'm already anticipating extra fees and refuse to let this bother me.

When I went to PNG if you fly into PNG on Air Niugini and made connecting flights on Air Niugini they raised the weight limit to 30kg. Talk to your travel agent. The key is you use Air Niugini for the international legs. I never had my carry on weighted but it was definitely over the limit.

[thesmoothdome]

Originally Posted by chinacat46

When I went to PNG if you fly into PNG on Air Niugini and made connecting flights on Air Niugini they raised the weight limit to 30kg. Talk to your travel agent. The key is you use Air Niugini for the international legs. I never had my carry on weighted but it was definitely over the limit.

Disclaimer: Thread Hijack here!

Chinacat, I'm starting at Loloata then heading for Rabaul to pick up the Star Dancer. From there, I go back to Port Moresby to catch a flight for a few days to Goroka and then back to Port Moresby. Are they going to consider this all international travel since I'm from somewhere else or are the weight restrictions based on each leg?