Introduction – why it's worth planning your packing for a dive trip
A dive trip isn't an ordinary holiday "with a wheeled suitcase." Life-supporting equipment lands in the baggage – regulators, a dive computer, a set of O-rings, often a light worth as much as a DSLR. A single piece of damage during airport handling can turn a dreamed-of week on the reef into a costly marathon of rentals, and the statistics are merciless: the IATA World Baggage Report 2024 states that for every 1,000 passengers 7.6 pieces of baggage are lost or destroyed, and sports and photo-video equipment figures at the top of the compensation list.
Planning your packing isn't just a list of items, but risk management. You have to fit within the 158 cm and 23 kg limit, protect delicate elements against excess moisture and salt, and at the same time remember that on a boat there's no room for five suitcases. That's exactly why in this article we'll take you step by step through the whole process: from servicing the regulators 60 days before departure, through choosing the Peli™ Air as an armoured and buoyant case, to the checklist 48 h before the start.
If you plan the logistics well, you'll gain twice over. Firstly – you'll save money: renting a complete regulator + jacket set in Egypt is 35 € a day; five days of diving is over 175 €. Secondly – peace of mind: you know the regulator breathes the way you like, and the film composition with a manta doesn't end with a spot on the lens from a knock in the sorting facility. This text will help you pack so that the only surprise is the size of the barracuda shoal at the safety stop.
A calendar of preparations before the trip
60–30 days before departure – servicing and logistics
This is the moment for "heavy" servicing and booking decisions. Servicing regulators at an authorised centre requires at least three weeks, because the manufacturer supplies seal kits in batches. Hand over both the first and second stages at the same time, to avoid differences in breathing resistance. In the same time window, book sports baggage with the airline – most carriers offer a 20% online discount when buying >30 days before departure. If you're planning to take your own tank or lead, contact the dive base: often renting on the spot is cheaper than the surcharge to 32 kg. Check the tank's inspection date; the TÜV certificate must be valid for another six months after your return. Order missing spare parts: silicone mouthpiece, DIN 111 O-rings, mask strap.
30–7 days before departure – equipment tests and document checks
After collecting the regulators, do a pressure test in a home pool or local base: pay attention to bubbling on inhalation and IP stability. Check the BCD – inflate it to maximum and leave it for an hour; a loss of >10% volume suggests a micro-leak in the inflator. Install fresh batteries in the computer and do a dry dive log: set the date, depth alarms and FO₂. This week review your dive documents: certification cards, the logbook from the last ten dives and the DAN policy. Verify whether the policy covers the depth of the planned dives and nitrox saturation. If you're going to a region with malaria or dengue, book an appointment at a travel medicine clinic – vaccinations require a few days' lead time.
The last week – strategic packing and a first-aid kit
Seven days before departure you lay the equipment out on the floor and divide it into three categories: critical (irreplaceable on the spot), replaceable (can be rented) and spare (O-rings, batteries). The critical lands in the Peli™ Air; the replaceable in a soft 70 l bag; the spare in an external suitcase pocket or in a handy backpack. Check the case's weight – weigh it down with foam or clothes for the boat, to reach 22.5 kg and not pay for empty kilos. Configure the TrekPak insert: regulators in bubble wrap, lights in separate compartments, fins on the sides reinforce the walls. Pack a first-aid kit: seasickness medicines, painkillers, hydrogel plasters, antiseptic ointment and aluminium-acetate ear spray. Two days before departure, fill out the baggage declaration online and print the "Dive Gear – handle with care" label. The evening before leaving, switch the GPS transmitter in the suitcase to aeroplane mode and take photos of the contents for the insurer.
Peli Air cases for dive gear
Documents and insurance
Dive certificates – plastic, PDF and a cloud backup
A diver without a certificate is a tourist without a passport. The base will ask for an OW/AOW card or higher, and for wrecks deeper than 30 m also Deep or Tech 40. Take the plastic, but also have a PDF scan on your phone (Dive Docs folder) and in the cloud. The PADI/SSI apps display digital cards, but there isn't signal everywhere; an offline copy saves you when the internet doesn't work. A logbook with the last five dives is sometimes required for nitrox and no-deco to 40 m. Export the logs to a .uddf or .txt file and upload them to a pendrive – the instructor will quickly verify depths and times.
Dive insurance – what DAN, AquaMed and Hestia Dive really cover
A policy protects your budget when ear barotrauma turns a holiday into a week in a chamber. The most popular DAN Europe Sport Silver costs 59 € a year and covers up to 50,000 € of treatment costs, including a hyperbaric chamber, helicopter transport and repatriation. The AquaMed Dive Card adds protection for freediving and snorkelling, and Hestia Dive Travel offers short trips of 7, 14 or 31 days – useful when a diver doesn't want an annual policy. Check whether the insurance covers equipment; many policies refund only 50% of the value in case of loss in the hold. Add a Dive Gear clause or buy a separate equipment policy at 5% of the value.
Emergency phone numbers and the accident-reporting procedure
Save the DAN numbers and the local chamber in your phone (the list is on dan.org). In case of an accident call, give the dive data: maximum depth, bottom time, gases, symptoms. The operator will indicate the nearest chamber, and the insurance will cover the costs if you report the incident within 24 h. Wearing a Diver Med Tag band with a QR code speeds up identification and shortens the hospital administration.
Medical forms and COVID Fit-to-Dive
Some bases (Malta, the Philippines) require filling out an RSTC Medical Statement no later than 12 months before the dive. If you mark "Yes" for chronic illnesses, a sports-medicine doctor has to sign a Fit-to-Dive. Since 2024 some operators require a statement of no complications after COVID-19; consult an ENT specialist if after the infection you have a blocked middle ear. Print all certificates in two copies – one stays at the base, the other in your folder.
Pro tip – the "Dive Paper Pack" folder
- 8 GB pendrive – scans of certificates, logs, the policy PDF.
- Maps and briefing – PNG files of wreck bathymetry.
- A copy of tickets and the hotel booking – useful in case of lost baggage.
- Zip encryption – a friend has the file password by SMS in case you lose the pendrive.
Well-organised documents mean a quick check-in at the base, no nerves at customs and the certainty that, in case of an accident, the reimbursement procedure works immediately.
A detailed list of dive equipment
Basic equipment – "the three pillars of comfort"
Mask
- Tempered glass, silicone strap + a spare strap in a ziplock bag.
- Anti-fog: 15 ml paste (< 100 ml so it goes in the cabin).
Snorkel
- A model with a valve – easier clearing on the surface.
Fins
- Strap fins for neoprene boots – recommended for the boat and the coral reef.
- A rubber spring strap = faster donning and less risk of breaking.
Wetsuit
- Wet 5 mm – tropical water, light and dries in 6 h.
- Semi-dry 7 mm – Adriatic/Atlantic in spring. Dry-load zip – grease it with silicone vaseline.
- Dry trilaminate – water < 15 °C; pack talc and a spare neck seal.
Advanced equipment – the "life support kit"
Jacket / wing
- 25 lbs wing with a DIR harness; weight 3.1 kg – lighter than a classic BCD (4.5 kg).
- Hose routing coiled in a loop and secured with Velcro.
Regulators
- First stage DIN + second stage with a 210 cm hose.
- A second backup on a 60 cm hose in bungee – Hogarthian configuration.
- Pressure gauge with a 60 cm hose; pressure before packing 5–10 bar (protects the connectors).
Dive computer
- Nitrox mode 22–40% O₂, PPO₂ alarm 1.4 bar.
- New CR2450 lithium batteries + a spare in a flat case.
Weight system
- Single 1 kg soft pouches – easy to arrange in the wing pockets.
- If you fly light – rent lead on the spot (5–10 €/day).
Safety accessories – your "plan B on the surface"
- SMB (Surface Marker Buoy) – 140 cm, orange or pink colour; with a non-return valve and a pocket for a chemical light.
- 30 m reel – double-ender carabiner, 1.5 mm line.
- 10 cm titanium knife + EMT shears – mounted on the weight belt.
- Lights – main 1,000 lm, backup 500 lm (AA) with a twist switch.
- LED strobe – 16 h autonomy, IPX8, mounted on the SMB.
"Nice to have" accessories
- Silica-gel container – dries photo equipment.
- 100 ml silicone spray – zip seals and O-rings.
- Microfibre mini-towel 40 × 60 cm – dries the mask and lens.
Equipment packing tips
- Roll the regulators into a "spring" and put them into a regulator roll-bag, to avoid kinks in the hoses.
- Put the mask and computer into the Peli Air case – place them between the TrekPak foam.
- Fins on the sides of the suitcase act as reinforcement – they stiffen the walls and shield the lights.
- Move the electronics (computer, torches) to the hand baggage if the airline allows – most Li-ion batteries must be in the cabin.
This list may seem long, but by following it you'll avoid the most common "golden diver's excuses": "My strap broke," "The buoy stayed at home," "I don't have a spare seal." In the next section we'll deal with electronics and recording memories from the depths.
Waterproof phone & document cases from Peli
Electronics and recording your adventures
Action cameras – GoPro, DJI Osmo, Insta360
- GoPro HERO12 – 5.3 K/60 fps mode, HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation; in the water set Color → Flat and white balance 5,000 K.
- Dive accessories: red filter 15–25 m (BlueWater), magenta filter for green water, HyperSmooth speed dial (Quick Switch).
- Enduro Battery x 3 pack – better performance in cold water; mark them with a marker 1–3, rotate chronologically.
Compact cameras and DSLRs in housings
If you shoot macro reefs, take a Sony RX100 VII in a Nauticam housing (IPX8, 100 m). For wrecks we recommend a Canon R6 + a 180 mm dome port and two Inon Z-330 strobes.
- O-rings: main + spare in a ziplock, greased with silicone 111 lubricant.
- Silica-gel: 5 g sachets by the viewfinder – absorbing condensation.
- Allen screws and a 4 mm key – you'll tighten the strobe arms.
Lighting and strobes
- 5,000 lm video light – Li-ion 4S power (67 Wh): hand baggage, contacts secured with tape.
- Photo strobe: optical cable or TTL electrical; spare O-rings for the bulkhead connectors.
- Spare 120° diffusers – counteract hotspots in water of high transparency.
Power and charging
| Device | Battery | IATA limit (cabin) |
|---|---|---|
| GoPro Enduro | 1,720 mAh/6.6 Wh | ≤100 Wh – NO quantity limit* |
| 4S video light | 67 Wh | ≤100 Wh – max 20 pcs |
| Power bank | 20,000 mAh/74 Wh | ≤100 Wh – 2 pcs, contacts taped |
*Above 20 pcs airlines may require declaration – check the regulations. For the full picture of what can and can't travel in the cabin alongside batteries, see our guide on items you cannot bring on a plane.
- Travel power strip with USB-C PD 100 W sockets – one type E/F adapter is enough.
- Parallel charging: USB-C GaN 140 W hub – simultaneous charging of two GoPro batteries, a laptop and a power bank.
Data backup – avoid losing footage
- 2 × UHS-II 128 GB card (mirror recording)
- SSD 2 TB IP54 – copy after each dive, keep in separate hand baggage.
- The Quik or Dive+ app – automatic upload of thumbnails to the cloud over Wi-Fi.
Packing electronics in the Peli™ Air
- TrekPak insert: wrap the camera, housing and lights in Pick N Pluck foam.
- A "Fragile Optical Glass" card on the outside eases gentler handling of the baggage.
- Li-ion batteries up to 100 Wh – in the cabin; only empty bodies stay in the case.
By assembling the above set, you have the certainty that every flight and water transfer will be safe for your equipment, and your memories from the depths will turn into sharp, colourful frames. In the next part we'll move on to the key matter – the Peli™ Air dive case and its advantages over traditional baggage.
Waterproof Peli microcases for valuables
The dive case – protect your gear and your wallet
Why an ordinary hard suitcase isn't enough
A standard ABS hard-shell from a supermarket might survive maybe one seasonal trip, but in contact with wet, salty and heavy equipment it quickly reveals its weaknesses: cracking hinges, no rain seal and thin walls that don't dampen knocks in the sorting facility. What's worse, after a finished dive you throw a wet wetsuit inside – in 30 °C tropics a sauna microclimate forms, in which O-rings go mouldy in 24 h. A suitcase without a pressure valve will "suck in" at an altitude of 11,000 m, and after landing the clasps often deform under the vacuum – as a result the lid pops open at the first throw. If you're still weighing a rigid case against a soft bag in general, our guide on hard or soft luggage and what to choose breaks down the trade-offs.
Peli™ Air – IP67-class armour, but 40% lighter
- HPX² material: a patented composite polymer, flexible on impact, so it doesn't crack like ABS. The Air 1615 weighs 6.2 kg – a competing ABS equivalent can weigh 9 kg.
- IP67 waterproofing: the case withstands immersion of 1 m for 30 min. If a wave floods the boat deck, the regulator and lights will stay dry.
- Automatic Vortex™ valve: equalises pressure in the cabin and hold, but doesn't let in moisture. The end of a "sucked-in" lid after a flight.
- Positive buoyancy: even filled with equipment the case floats – useful on a RIB, when waves wash the case off the bench.
- TSA 0500 encrypted locks: customs handling will open them without breaking; keys available only to airport services.
Choosing a model to the diver's needs
| Model | Dimensions (cm) | Mass | Capacity | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1535 Air Carry-On | 55 × 35 × 23 | 3.9 kg | 31 l | Computer, lenses, regulator roll-bag; fits in the LH/KLM cabin |
| 1615 Air | 75 × 39 × 23 | 6.2 kg | 59 l | Full scuba set + lights; ideal 22–23 kg at full load |
| 1745 Air Long | 112 × 44 × 20 | 7.1 kg | 87 l | Freedive fins / DPV scooter; circumference 176 cm → requires a sports fare |
Weight tip: the 1615 Air in the Lite Liner version (without Pick N Pluck foam) weighs only 5.4 kg – leaving 17.5 kg for equipment within the 23 kg limit.
Interior configuration – TrekPak, cubes and blocks
- TrekPak™ – foam dividers + pins; you cut with a box knife, adjust every 5 mm. The regulator in a roll has its own compartment, the lights stand vertically in tubes.
- Cube Foam – for the camera: you pull out the foam cubes, form a nest for the Nauticam housing and dome port.
- Compression cubes 25 × 20 cm – neoprene, socks, rashguards. They cushion the equipment and fill the "dead zones."
A cost–safety comparison
| Feature | Peli Air 1615 | ABS suitcase 75 cm | Soft bag 90 l |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing | IP67 | None | None |
| Impact resistance | 1.8 m drop test | Cracks at 1 m | Tears at 0.5 m |
| Buoyancy + | Yes | No | Floats empty |
| Pressure valve | Yes | No | No |
| Gear-rental cost* | 0 | high | high |
*We assume damage to the regulator + light = 5 days' rental in Egypt.
Airlines and the Peli Air 1615
- LOT, Lufthansa, KLM – 158 cm circumference → the case passes in the 23 kg standard, requires only a "Sports Equipment" tag.
- Turkish – 158 cm and 23 kg; at 21–23 kg a 35 € "Diving Gear Flat" surcharge.
- Ryanair/Wizz – no sports option; you have to buy 32 kg baggage (72–85 €).
Budget carriers are the strictest on the cabin-bag side too, so if you're flying Ryanair it's worth reviewing the Ryanair cabin baggage rules before you pack the rest of your carry-on.
A few practical packing tricks
- Hoses in a U shape – never in an S. You reduce stresses during vibrations.
- Insurance card – put it under the mesh on the lid; in case of loss it's easier to claim compensation.
- Desiccant foam – a 50 g silica-gel sachet by the light ports.
- AirTag in "Lost" mode – clip it to the mesh; the app will notify you when the case leaves the airport.
The investment in a Peli Air pays off after the first season: no rentals, no repairs, no stress. In the next section we'll look at clothing and personal equipment, so that on the boat you don't get cold in the breaks between dives.
Large Peli Air cases for dive equipment
Peli™ Air 1637 & 1646 – when you need even more space
Peli Air 1637 – maximum capacity within the 158 cm limit
- External dimensions: 67.6 × 52.5 × 37.8 cm (circumference 157.9 cm) – fits within the standard 23 kg / 158 cm limit of most airlines.
- Interior: 59.5 × 44.6 × 33.7 cm | 3.15 ft³ (0.089 m³).
- Mass: 6.9 kg empty, 8.8 kg with Pick N Pluck foam.
- Buoyancy: 94.8 kg – the case floats with a full load when boarding a RIB.
- Use: a set of 2 regulators, wing, lights + fins, and still ~15 kg remains to the 23 kg limit.
Peli Air 1646 – the "long" version for a DPV or freedive
- External dimensions: 89.6 × 48.3 × 38.3 cm (circumference ≈ 176 cm) – exceeds 158 cm, but fits within the 203 cm sports fare (LH, TK).
- Interior: 81.4 × 40.3 × 34.1 cm | 3.95 ft³ (0.112 m³) – will hold freedive fins > 80 cm or a DPV scooter.
- Mass: 9.3 kg empty, 11.7 kg with foam.
- Buoyancy: 119.3 kg – it doesn't sink even full.
- Airport tip: in Lufthansa "Special Baggage – diving equipment" the 1646 flies for 70 € (EU) or 150 € (intercont.) instead of the oversize/kg rate.
If your equipment exceeds the 1615 Air, choosing the 1637 lets you keep the 158 cm limit without surcharges, and the 1646 is a safe "container" for exceptionally long fins, an underwater scooter or a large photo housing – you just have to book a sports fare.
Clothing and personal equipment
Technical clothing – warm, dry, UV-safe
- Rashguard UV 50+ – thin lycra protects the skin during long decompression stops and on the RIB deck. It takes up ¼ of the space of a T-shirt, dries in 15 min.
- "Wind-stopper" softshell hoodie – wind at a speed of 30 kn on the boat chills like a 10 °C temperature drop; zip-fastened pockets protect the logbook and phone.
- Neoprene leggings 2 mm – you put them on under the wet wetsuit, they increase comfort and ease dressing.
- Synthetic down jacket (pack-down) – the exotics can surprise with cold at night; an 800 fill model compresses to the size of a litre bottle.
- Micro-fleece beanie hat – heat loss through the head accounts for 20% of chilling between dives.
Shoes and beach accessories
- Neoprene boots 3 mm with a hard sole – foot protection when descending a stony shore; YKK zip secured with Velcro.
- EVA flip-flops – light, anti-slip; an extra pair for the shower, to avoid foot fungus at the base.
- Quick-drying towel 60 × 120 cm – microfibre 200 g/m², dries in 20 min; takes up ⅓ of the space of a traditional terry one.
- Polarised sunglasses – reduction of glare and easier spotting of dolphins; a "float" strap prevents sinking.
Personal first-aid kit – "mini-power" in 300 g
| Preparation | Amount | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Dimenhydrinate 50 mg | 10 tabs | Seasickness – 1 tab 30 min before setting off |
| Ibuprofen 400 mg | 6 tabs | Ear, muscle pain after entering the waves |
| Hydrogel plasters 5 × 7 cm | 4 pcs | Heels chafed by fins |
| Antiseptic ointment (octenisept) | 20 ml spray | Minor cuts on the reef |
| Aluminium-acetate ear drops | 10 ml | "Otitis externa" prophylaxis |
Organising "soft gear" in the baggage
- Compression cubes – technical clothes in one, beach ones in another, underwear in a third; easy access on the boat.
- Dry-bag 10 l – phone, T-shirt, towel; on the return with a wet wetsuit it protects the dry clothing.
- Mesh bag 90 l – on deck wet wetsuits and fins fit in; on the return you dry the whole lot in five minutes by hanging it on the railing.
Tip – a "fragrant case"
Pour a tablespoon of baking soda into an organza bag and throw it into the Peli Air – it neutralises the smell of neoprene and moisture during transport.
With such a wardrobe set, cool mornings on deck, rocky entries into the water and tropical rain during the transfer to the airport won't surprise you. In the next part we'll look at airport logistics and baggage regulations, so that your equipment safely reaches its destination carousel from check-in.
Airport logistics and baggage regulations
Sports baggage – dive conditions at the most popular airlines
| Airline | Dive limit | Online fee | Airport fee | Practical notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOT | 23 kg / 158 cm | ≈ 35 € EU / 70 € long-haul | ≈ 100 € | "Diving Gear" tag; pressure valve in the suitcase optional. |
| Lufthansa | 30 kg / 203 cm | 70 € EU / 150 € INT | +50 € | Report 24 h – email with an SSR SPEQ code. |
| Turkish | 32 kg / 158 cm | 35 € | 11 €/kg | The Peli Air 1615 case fits without an oversize surcharge. |
| Ryanair | 30 kg / no dimension | 75 € | 90 € | Dive = "Sport Equipment"; no pre-alert = risk of refusal. |
| Wizz Air | 32 kg / 171 cm | 85 € | +40 € | The system doesn't accept "AirTag" in the description – enter "BAG". |
Savings tip: at LOT and LH the system charges the lowest rate up to 23 kg, but accepts a dive case up to 30 kg – if the case weighs 24–25 kg, the weight surcharge is cheaper than the whole sports package.
Marking and tracking the suitcase
- "Diving Gear – fragile" tag – ask for the sticker at check-in; the sorting facility directs the suitcase to the "odd-size belt," where the machines turn the baggage more gently.
- TSA lock + AirTag – TSA will open the Peli without breaking it, you see on the map whether the case got off with you. Outside the USA an ABUS lock with a key comes in handy.
- Laminated address tag – name, phone with country code, email; in many countries data-protection stickers require covering the data on an ordinary tag.
Lithium-ion batteries – IATA 2025 rules
- <100 Wh – in the cabin, pins taped with insulating tape. Limit without declaration: 20 pieces.
- 100–160 Wh – require the airline's consent (KLM and LH: max 2 pcs); taken only in the cabin, declaration at security.
- >160 Wh – cargo transport, MSDS required. Typical batteries for DPV scooters.
The "odd-size" procedure step by step
- You check the baggage in at the ordinary desk; the agent sticks 'DIVE' under the barcode.
- You escort the suitcase to the "Oversize Baggage" station.
- An employee scans the IATA code and pushes the case onto a separate belt – it lands in a metal cage, not in the "waterfall sorter."
- After arrival the case goes onto the oversize carousel or to the "Special Baggage" window – you collect it on presenting the slip.
Transfers and hubs – avoid the short-connection trap
The golden rule: 75 min is the minimum for an oversize transfer in FRA, MUC, IST. The case lands in the hands of the "Odd Size Delivery" personnel, who deliver it to the aircraft stands once every 30 min. At the peak of the season the suitcase can arrive on the last truck and the plane leaves without it. Plan a transfer of 90–120 min if you're flying with a connection and have full dive equipment.
A claim – what if the Peli Air disappears or cracks?
- PIR within 24 h – even if no damage is visible, report it; the case might have lost its tightness.
- Photos of the contents – show them to the agent; it eases the valuation and recovery of the full value of the equipment.
- Montreal Convention – limit 1,519 SDR (around 1,750 €), in force since 28 December 2024; a "Dive Gear" policy will refund the difference.
Knowing the above regulations, you'll book the right sports package, mark the baggage safely and keep a time margin for the transfer. Your equipment will arrive with you – and you'll avoid surcharges and stress.
A checklist to print (48 h before departure)
Print this page or save it on your phone; you can tick off each item ➔ ✓. The list is grouped by packing: the Peli Air case, hand baggage and the mesh bag for the boat.
Peli™ Air 1615 case (≤ 23 kg)
- DIN regulators – 2× stage I, 2× stage II, pressure gauge + U-loop hoses
- Wing / jacket – OPV valve checked, inflator clean
- Main mask + spare, both silicone straps ✓
- Strap fins + spare spring straps
- SMB buoy + 30 m reel, double-ender carabiner
- Titanium knife + EMT shears
- Main light (1,000 lm) + backup light (500 lm)
- Li-ion charger secured, contacts taped
- O-rings (5× DIN – 111, 5× LP – 013) in a Dive-O-Ring container
- Silicone spray 100 ml + Grasso 111 paste in an 8 g tube
- Silica-gel 50 g in an organza bag
- Laminated address tag + AirTag Lost Mode
Hand baggage (< 8 kg, roll-top backpack)
- Dive computer + manual PDF on the phone
- GoPro / camera + housing, 2× 128 GB cards, SSD 2 TB
- Li-ion batteries ≤ 100 Wh: GoPro 3×, light 2×, power bank 20,000 mAh
- PADI/SSI certificates (plastic), paper logbook + Dive Docs pendrive
- DAN/AquaMed policy in PDF + emergency number on a card
- Wind-stopper softshell, UV rashguard, beanie hat
- Mini-first-aid kit 300 g (dimenhydrinate, ibuprofen, ear drops)
- Type E/F socket adapter + GaN 140 W power strip
- 0.5 l bottle (empty), electrolyte sachets
Mesh bag 90 l (boat deck)
- Wetsuit (wet / semi-dry / dry) – outer pockets zipped
- Neoprene boots 3 mm, gloves, hood
- Compression cube with technical clothing (rashguard × 2, leggings × 1)
- Quick-drying towel 60 × 120 cm
- Dry-bag 10 l for phone and T-shirt
- Plastic water bottle for rinsing the mask
Travel documents
- Flight ticket + sports baggage booking (QR / PDF)
- Dive base and hotel voucher
- Passport, ID card, driving licence (if renting a car)
- Scan of the Dive Gear equipment insurance
The "last 48 h" table
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| T-48 h | Check the Peli weight ≤ 23 kg; buy extra kg online if 23–25 kg |
| T-36 h | Charge all batteries and switch on the AirTag in the case |
| T-24 h | Online check-in; print boarding passes and "DIVE" labels |
| T-12 h | Spray the zip locks with silicone talc (wet wetsuit) |
| T-6 h | Last full meal, electrolytes, 30 min walk |
| T-3 h | Departure for the airport, Diver Med Tag band on the wrist |
After ticking off each item you're ready for a stress-free departure. Equipment secured, documents at hand, and you can focus on one thing: the world of reefs and wrecks waiting underwater. Happy diving!
The most common mistakes of divers and how to avoid them
Loose hoses and no spare O-rings
An LP hose always bursts at the worst moment – just before entering the water. Screw all the hoses with a torque wrench at 30 Nm and pack five DIN-111 O-rings and two LP-013. Only then coil the regulator into a roll.
An undried wetsuit after the last dive
Latex rubber in the cuffs rots in moisture. After a dive turn the wetsuit inside out, hang it in the shade and blow with the inflator, to speed up air circulation. In the evening the cuffs will be dry and elastic.
Overheating of light batteries in the car boot
Li-ion loses 20% capacity at 40 °C. Don't leave the suitcase in the sun on the engine side. Hide the batteries in the air-conditioned cabin and set an alarm temperature of 45 °C in the TrackBattery app.
No buoy and reel
The base most often doesn't have spare SMBs. Renting costs 10 €/day. Take your own 140 cm buoy and a 30 m reel – it's half the rental price, and always works.
Too small a gas reserve in decompression
Consumption rises from 20 l/min to 35 l/min in a current. Plan a minimum of 50 bar in the main cylinder and an additional 40 cuft stage with nitrox 50%. A real buffer instead of "it'll somehow work out."
Putting off regulator servicing to the last moment
Authorised servicing takes 14–21 days. Hand over the equipment 60 days before departure. When a part arrives damaged, you have time to replace it. Otherwise you'll rent a regulator for 35 €/day.
A slipping mask strap
A silicone strap hardens after six seasons. Take a new and a spare one. Heat it in hot water to fit it. Leave the old one at the base as a reserve.
No equipment insurance
AIRLINES cover up to 1,519 SDR (around 1,750 €) under the Montreal Convention since 28 December 2024. A regulator and camera cost more. Add a "Dive Gear" clause (5% of the value) or an equipment policy. In case of a broken dome port you'll get a full refund.
Summary – pack smart, enjoy the depths
An efficient regulator, a watertight Peli™ Air case and a complete set of documents are the diver's safety triangle on a trip. Plan the servicing 60 days earlier, weigh the baggage 48 h before departure and tick off the checklist. Thanks to this you'll avoid stress at the airport, excess-baggage surcharges and makeshift repairs on the boat. If part of your journey is ordinary cabin packing rather than dive gear, our guides on the cabin luggage dimension and weight traps and on whether you can have two carry-on bags are worth a read before you fly. Pack wisely, and you'll devote all your attention to what matters most – the quiet underwater, the play of light on the reef and the thrill of discovering further metres of depth. Happy and safe diving!
