Every year, more than 6 million people go scuba diving all across the world. There is nothing that these people enjoy more than strapping oxygen tanks onto their backs and spending an afternoon exploring the sea.
Are you one of the people who loves taking scuba diving trips? If so, there are so many places on this planet for you to go. From the Cayman Islands and Fiji to Costa Rica and Cuba, you should make every effort to visit as many of them as you can over the years.
You should also make sure that you bring the right items along when you go on your scuba diving trips. It’ll allow you to make the most of your scuba diving excursions.
Check out five items that you need to pack before you go on a scuba diving trip below.
1. Mask and Snorkel
If you’re a casual scuba diver who only goes every once in a while, you might be able to get away with renting a scuba diving mask and snorkel. There are a lot of rental places that would be more than happy to supply you with them when you need them.
But if you consider yourself a serious scuba diver, there is really no reason for you not to have your own mask and snorkel. They’re some of the first things you’ll want to throw into your travel bag before scuba diving trips.
Using your own mask, in particular, is important because it’ll ensure that you have a mask that fits you well when you’re underwater. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to fight with an ill-fitting rental mask that doesn’t create a tight seal when you’re scuba diving.
You’ll feel good heading into a scuba diving trip when you know that you have your own mask and snorkel packed away. You’ll get a sense of comfort once you put your own mask over your face and stick your own snorkel into your mouth.
2. Wetsuit
We’re not going to lie to you, traveling with a wetsuit can be a huge pain in the butt! Most wetsuits are very bulky, which can make them difficult to pack in a travel bag.
You might get so flustered when you’re trying to pack one away that you say, “Forget this,” and vow to rent one when you get to your final destination.
Renting a wetsuit for scuba diving isn’t the worst idea in the world. You very well may find a rental wetsuit that fits you as good as your own wetsuit does.
But there’s also a chance that you might end up with a wetsuit that doesn’t quite fit the way it should. It might make you uncomfortable throughout the course of your scuba diving trip.
There is also no telling where a rental wetsuit has been or who wore it in the past. That might make you uncomfortable and ruin your entire scuba diving experience in a beautiful location.
Find a way to travel with your own wetsuit instead.
3. Fins and/or Booties
If you’re going to bring your own mask and snorkel along with you on a trip as well as your own wetsuit, you might as well complete the look by bringing your own fins and/or booties, too.
The good news is that most fins and booties will fit neatly into your luggage when you’re traveling. They’re not anywhere near as bulky as masks, snorkels, and, of course, wetsuits.
But you should think long and hard about which option to bring. Fins are ideal for destinations that have warm water, while booties are best for cold-water dives. Try to pick one or the other based on where you’re going to save space in your travel bag.
4. Travel Buoyancy Compensator Device
A buoyancy compensator device, better known as a BCD, is one of the most underrated pieces of scuba diving equipment. It has an inflatable bladder inside of it that makes scuba divers more or less buoyant depending on their needs.
There are a lot of companies that make travel BCDs these days that are specifically designed to be tucked into travel bags. Look for a high-quality one that you can store away in your bag when you’re taking scuba diving trips.
5. Dive Computer
Every serious scuba diver should have a dive computer strapped to their wrist when they go underwater. Dive computers tell you everything from how deep you’re diving to how long you’ve been underwater during a dive.
It’s smart to invest in a dive computer if you’re going to be diving in unfamiliar places all the time. It won’t take up much room at all in your bag, and it’ll keep you safe when you’re scuba diving in distant lands.
Oh, and Don’t Forget to Bring This, Too…
There are some amateur scuba divers who mistakenly believe that they don’t need to worry about wearing sunscreen when they’re diving. After all, you’re going to be spending most of your time underwater, so is sunscreen even necessary?
In a word, yes! And you shouldn’t put on just any old sunscreen during scuba diving trips.
Instead, make sure you have reef safe sunscreen on when you go scuba diving. It’ll protect your skin without doing any damage to the environment. It’s a must-have for anyone who is going to be spending a lot of time out on the water and scuba diving.
Pack Accordingly for All of Your Upcoming Scuba Diving Trips
When you’re going on scuba diving trips, you don’t need to pack every single piece of scuba diving equipment that you own. It would be impractical for you to do this.
But you do need to bring some of the scuba diving staples along. By bringing some of your own equipment, you’ll give yourself everything you need to enjoy your scuba dives more. You’ll also keep yourself comfortable and safe during all of your various dives across the world.
Do you need help finding the right mask for a scuba diving trip? Check out our blog to read articles about scuba diving masks and other equipment.
