| Planning you next dive destination means a | | | | equipment you will be bringing with you. You |
| lot more than just picking a spot you want to | | | | need to know if your choice of airline will |
| dive. Just as with any dive, preparation is | | | | allow for everything and what type of rules |
| the key to success. You should read all you | | | | are applied to certain pieces of diving |
| can about your dive destination and make sure | | | | equipment. |
| you have all of the most recent information. | | | | |
| | | | Lets get more specific about dive equipment |
| That includes weather patterns and forecasts, | | | | and related items. I think everyone knows by |
| charters, hotels, and transportation as well | | | | now, any sharp instrument in your carry-on |
| as anything else that pertains to your diving | | | | luggage will be confiscated. That expensive |
| adventure. Even if you have been somewhere | | | | new dive knife you bought? Gone if you put it |
| before, you need to make sure everything is | | | | in your carry-on luggage. The same goes for |
| still the same as the last time you were | | | | all sharp objects like scissors, nail files, |
| there. | | | | and even nail clippers. |
| | | | |
| Lets talk about some of the normal things you | | | | Most dive destinations will be able to |
| need to have before you leave for your dive | | | | provide you with air tanks, but if you are |
| destination. Some of these tips apply to any | | | | thinking of taking a spare air tank, make |
| type of vacation. | | | | sure you remove the valve so there is no |
| | | | compressed air in it at all. And keep in mind |
| Is your passport up-to-date and signed? Have | | | | there are weight restrictions that differ for |
| you checked to see if you will need a visa to | | | | each airline. You will be charged extra for |
| enter the country that you plan to travel to | | | | more weight or in some instances not be able |
| for your dive? You can search online for | | | | to check in more than a specific weight at |
| travel warnings and announcements for the | | | | all. |
| country that you plan to visit. There is also | | | | |
| something called a Consular Information Sheet | | | | Check with the airline that you are planning |
| that explains all of the rules for visitors | | | | to use about weight restrictions well in |
| to a particular country and it can be found | | | | advance. For instance, American Airlines at |
| online as well. | | | | one time allowed you to take an extra air |
| | | | tank for an extra $90. They may have changed |
| Also search online for tourist information | | | | their policy by the time you read this. The |
| and local customs and services you might | | | | last thing you want to do is show up at the |
| need. Being familiar with your dive | | | | airport the day you had planned to leave and |
| destination is very important. Remember the | | | | finding out you cannot board with your dive |
| unexpected can cost you money and possibly | | | | equipment. |
| even ruin the whole trip. | | | | |
| | | | Some pieces of dive equipment you may not see |
| You also need to plan for your flight to your | | | | as a problem may very well be a problem with |
| dive destination. Traveling with your dive | | | | airport security, especially airport security |
| gear is much more involved than just taking a | | | | in some of the countries you plan to visit. |
| normal flight, especially with new security | | | | |
| restrictions and other changes at airlines. | | | | If you take anything from reading this |
| | | | article, I hope it is that you need to plan |
| First of all, you need to plan your trip far | | | | your dive trip in advance, especially where |
| in advance if you want things to run | | | | the airlines are concerned. Have a great dive |
| smoothly. You need to call the airline you | | | | trip! |
| are going to use and tell them all the diving | | | | |