The Basics of Flying and Scuba Diving

Sport diving is always a function of travel. Very few divers are fortunate enough to live and work within 30 minutes of their favorite dive site. So, often we are faced with the transportation issue of getting to our diving locations. If you are diving with all of your own gear, driving to the dive site or boat dock is usually the ideal situation. However, often times we find ourselves booking a dive destination somewhere that will require you to board an airplane. This means keeping the dive bag weight under 50 pounds or pay a premium to check your bag with the airline.

There are other considerations for the diver who is flying beyond keeping the luggage weight under 50 pounds. As a part of planning your trip, the first thing you must always do is have an extensive 'check-list' of your gear and other needs for the trip. Be sure that the 'check-list' is coordinated with your trip itinerary. Plan each dive before you even pack your dive gear so that you have an idea of what to expect. For example, if you are traveling to a remote location and not sure what the dive operator will provide, bring along an energy snack and pack your stainless steel water bottle (empty with lid removed). Go through your first aid kit to make sure that everything is still there and ready if needed. Especially make sure you have some antihistamine, anti-diarrhea, and upset stomach medications included. Pack as if you might not be able to buy anything immediately at your destination.

Well in advance of leaving, check with the Center for Disease Control if you are going to be going through or staying in a country where you are unsure of the current health conditions. Check online at the CDC dot gov website for any notices or specific vaccination requirements. Keep in mind that some shots might need to be ordered by your doctor and require some time for them to be effective. Other vaccinations might have a window of effectiveness and require travel within a certain period. Most divers will have a card with their personal medical history and contact information to carry with their dive gear. Be sure to list any allergies and medical history as well as your emergency contact information.

Be sure to check with the country of your destination for their requirements on the validity of your passport. You might be surprised that some very popular diving destinations require that your passport not be expiring within 6 months. Don't wait till the last minute to renew your passport, have it ready and renew it before it expires.

You've done your pre-trip planning and now you're ready to head to the airport. Be sure you stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of 'steam distilled water' before heading to the airport. In the United States, the Transportation Safety Authority (TSA) does not allow you to carry water through their security check points. Unfortunately, this means that you'll be drinking filtered bottled or tap water once you clear security. The 'steam distilled water' will help eliminate some of the toxins in your system before the trip. It's important to continue drinking water up to the time you board the plane. While some people would rather control their input to avoid having to use the toilet on the plane, this is a poor choice for your personal health. The bottom line here is to stay hydrated as much as possibly during your travel to the dive destination.

Avoid sitting still for long periods of time. If you are unable to get up and walk around, at least flex your leg muscles and do some stretches. Wear compression socks during a long flight to help your circulation. There is a lot more information about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) which might help describes the condition. Divers need to know how serious a blood clot could be. A blood clot could be more disastrous or even fatal if the clot moved during the effects of pressure causing a pulmonary embolism (lungs).

Divers depend upon their ability to equalize the pressure in their middle ear when descending. For this reason, make sure that your sinuses are clear during a flight. If a sudden change in cabin pressure occurs you could develop an ear disorder. While generally not a problem, make sure you don't develop an ear infection from sitting on a plane with an air vent blowing cold air right in your ear.

Flying to the dive destination is very much like any travel with some additional considerations. You've made it there and have enjoyed your well planned diving vacation, now it's time to head home. Now what do you need to know?

Make sure you completely clean and dry your gear as best as you possibly can. Any wet gear will be a two fold problem. First of all it will weigh more than when it was dry, possibly costing you more to check the bag at the airport. Secondly, if it didn't get rinsed real well before packing it will most likely stink because of the little living things that died.

A big concern deals with decompression sickness or 'the bends'. Each diver is responsible to know and monitor their dive depths and times in regards to this. Without getting technical, the general rule is that if you've made a non-decompression dive you should have a pre-flight surface time of 12 hours. Keep in mind that the amount of saturated nitrogen in your bloodstream is really determined by the time you spent under pressure. If the flight is in the mid morning or early afternoon, it's not likely that you'll be diving the same day as the flight. Snorkeling is not a concern, so snorkel all you like before flying.

Frequent travelers learn tricks along the way from experience and divers are no different. The more you dive in a variety of destinations, the more you will know about how to prepare for your trip. Flying just requires conforming to the rules of the airlines and the 'flying public' which generally don't work in the best interest of divers. Not too long ago airlines allowed up to three checked bags without a charge. At one time they allowed golfers to check their golf clubs and divers to check their dive bag for free. So, we change with the rules, but nobody can keep us from diving in the most exotic places in the world.

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