The act of sport diving is always connected to travel. It is rare for divers to be able to work and live within 30 minutes from their preferred dive location. It is often difficult to get to the diving sites. Driving to your dive spot or dock with all your gear is a good option. Sometimes, however, we book dive destinations that require us to fly. It is important to keep the weight of your diving bag below 50 pounds and pay an extra fee to have it checked by the airline.
For divers who are flying, there are additional considerations beyond the need to keep the baggage weight below 50 pounds. When planning your trip, you should always have a detailed ‘check-list’ with all your equipment and any other requirements. Make sure the checklist is in sync with your itinerary. Before you pack your gear, plan each dive. If you’re traveling to remote locations and aren’t sure what your dive operator will offer, pack an energy snack along with your stainless steel water bottle, empty and without the lid. Check your first aid kit and make sure everything is there. Make sure to have anti-diarrhea and anti-histamine medications. You should pack as though you may not be able buy any items at the destination.
Check with the Center for Disease Control before you leave if your travel plans include staying or going through a country that has not yet been assessed for health issues. For any information or vaccination requirements, visit the CDC website at gov. You should remember that certain shots will require you to order them from your doctor. Others vaccinations could have a time limit and may require you to travel within that window. Many divers carry a card with personal information, such as their contact information, and a record of their medical history. Include any medical information and allergies.
For information on passport validity requirements, check with your destination country. It may surprise you to learn that certain popular dive destinations have requirements that your passport must not expire within six months. You don’t want to wait for your passport to expire. Make sure you have it on hand and get it renewed before it runs out.
Your pre-trip planning is complete and you are now ready to go to the airport. Before you leave for the airport, make sure to drink plenty of steam distilled water. Transportation Safety Authority in the United States (TSA), prohibits water carrying through airport security. This means you won’t be allowed to carry water through security. Steam distilled water will remove some toxins from your body before you travel. Drinking water is important until you get on the plane. Although some may prefer not to have to go on the plane’s toilet, it is best for their health. It is important to keep your body hydrated during travel to dive destinations.
Do not sit still for too long. You can still move around if you’re unable. To improve circulation, wear compression socks on long flights. Deep Vein Thrombosis is a condition that can be described in more detail. It is important for divers to be aware of the potential dangers of a blood clot. The effects of pressure can cause a pulmonary embolism, which is a serious condition that could lead to death.
Divers are dependent on their ability to adjust the pressure in their middle ears during descent. You should ensure that your sinuses remain clear while you fly. An ear problem could be caused by a sudden drop in cabin pressure. Even though it’s not usually an issue, it can be dangerous to get an ear infection from being on an airplane with an intake of cold air.
The flight to your dive location is just like other travel, but with some extra considerations. Now that you have completed your planned dive vacation, it is time to return home. Here are some things you should know.
It is important to dry and clean all gear. Wet gear can cause two problems. The first is that it may weigh more than dry gear, which could make it more expensive to have it checked at the airport. It may also stink if you don’t wash it well enough before packing.
Decompression sickness, also known as ‘the bends’ is a major concern. Every diver must monitor and know their diving depths, times and durations. It is a good rule to maintain a minimum surface time of 12 hours for non-decompression dives. Remember that your time under pressure will determine how much saturated nitrogen you have in your bloodstream. It’s unlikely that diving will take place the day after the flight if it isn’t in the morning or the early afternoon. You don’t need to snorkel before you fly.
Experience is a great way to learn from frequent travelers and divers can do the same. You will learn more about planning your trip if you dive at different locations. You must adhere to all rules and regulations of airlines, which are generally not in the best interests of divers. Airlines used to allow up three bags for free. Once upon a time, airlines allowed you to carry your golf clubs as well as your dive bag free of cost. We have since changed the rules but that doesn’t mean we can’t dive in some of the most beautiful places on the planet.