Scuba Vacation Checklist

DO NOT FORGET YOUR C-CARD. Without a certification card you will not be doing any diving. If this is your first trip and you just got certified for the trip your dive shop can give you a temporary card if you have completed all your open water dives or a referral so you can complete the dives on your vacation if you have only finished the classroom and confined water dives.

If you are open water certified I encourage you to at least get an Advanced Certification. The Advanced card will allow you to dive beyond the sixty foot limit that your basic card allows. If you have certifications beyond Advanced you may want to just give them your advanced card. The more advanced cards will likely not be of any advantage to you and might get you stuck with a less experience partner if the dive operation is looking for a more experience diver to baby sit a less experienced one. Many with dive master and instructor cards never show them on trips so they do not get stuck with new divers.

I also strongly encourage dive insurance such as the coverage offered by Divers Alert Network. This insurance covers you should you have an accident and will cover such things as decompression treatments and transportation to the nearest chambers. Often ordinary health insurance will not cover these items.

It may seem silly to say that the first thing to bring is your dive equipment but many occasional dives expect to be able to rent equipment wherever they go and even a few just expect the equipment to be included by the dive operation. While it is likely that you will be able to rent the equipment it is also a matter of how good and well maintained is the equipment. Here is a list of what I would bring and more or less in the order of importance.

Mask and snorkel, nothing is worse than an ill fitting mask. Even if I am not diving if I am going to a warm destination I always bring my mask and snorkel. Once on a snorkeling trip in Cancun I needed to rescue a lady who was using the provided equipment and she nearly drowned because the snorkel was leaking. If is also good to have a hard case for your mask so it does not get damaged on the plane.

Dive Computer, you will have more fun and have longer dives if you are diving by computer instead of trying to remember how to use the dive tables. If you think I am kidding take out your Recreational Dive Planner and see if you can remember how to use it.

Regulator and gauges, you certainly will be able to rent these items at any quality dive operation but I like to bring mine. I know how it works and more importantly when and how it has been serviced. Rental gear can go through a lot of users and not all of them are skilled or care about taking care of the equipment. If you intend to rent a regulator at least bring a mouth piece so you to put on the rental equipment.

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD), I like to brink my own for all the same reasons as the regulator.

Wet suit or dive skin, depending on your sensitivity to cold you will likely like some form of thermal protection particularly if you will be doing a number of repetitive dives over a several days. Selecting a wet suit is a whole other topic so I suggest you visit you local dive store and ask questions. The more you know about your destination the more they can help you.

Fins, I bring mine because I like to use my open heal fins and boots. The boot protects my feet on the hot sand, boat dock or boat.

Safety Sausage, this is a long, usually trhee to five foot, inflatable tube in a highly visible color such as orange. If you get separated from you dive boat you can inflate it at the surface to single

Ear medicine, it is not really medicine but I like to bring a concoction of 50% alcohol and 50% hydrogen peroxide. You can also substitute white vinegar for the hydrogen peroxide. A few drops in each ear after each dive helps keep them clear and lets you keep diving after many repetitive dives. I cannot quote the process but it has something to do with changing the Ph in your ear and keeping infections out. Whatever the process, IT WORKS.

Camera, even if you do not have an underwater camera or video, bring what you have so that you can take pictures. Most good diving is very unique and scenic areas. Make sure you have batteries and film if you are still using film.

Swim suits, I like to bring two. I tend to do a lot of dives in the same day and like to put on a dry suit for my surface interval. If you hang up the wet suit after each dive it will likely be dry for your next surface interval. Sturdy is the key here not fashion. One piece suits for the ladies will prevent bikini top accidents. Ladies diving with me are welcome to ignore this particular recommendation

I always carry a towel made of an absorbent shammy like material. They are sold under a variety of brand names but even the ones made for your car will do. They are light weight to carry, great to dry off with and at the end of your trip you can wrap any gear that is not quite dry to absorb moisture.

Sun protection, those who know me know that my hair is thin to balding. If you want to avoid a bad burn I suggest a good hat that you will not cry over if it gets wet and fades. I like to dive with a do-rag so that it is on my head if I am waiting to get o the boat. I always have a brimmed hat waiting at my dive locker for between dives. Bring appropriate sun screen because there is nothing worse than trying to put on dive gear with a sunburn.

Ladies - men too if appropriate, bring some good conditioner because your hair will tangle. My wife uses a spray in conditioner to comb through her hair after every dive. You may also want to consider a thin hood to keep your hair in check. None of these things will work well but the guys are so glad to have few ladies along they will not comment on frizzy hair.

Sturdy sun glasses are also great. Do not bring the high fashion models because they can be easily damaged or lost. Bring one that work but will not break the bank if you damage of lose them.