As a diver you are weightless and can move in all directions. You approach the freedom of a bird as you move in three dimensions in a fluid environment.
DENNIS GRAVER, Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is a much acclaimed sport that is gaining popularity at an unprecedented rate. In fact, in recent years this sport has allured such a large number of enthusiasts that people now plan vacations to destinations that are considered the magnum opus for scuba diving.
Tourists flock to the Venezuelan archipelago Los Roques each year to enjoy water sports in general and scuba diving in particular. This place is a jewel mounted on the earthÔÇÖs surface with its resplendent corals, enticing cays, translucent waters, dazzling beaches and exotic flora and fauna.
When one decides on a scuba diving trip, the first nagging question that comes to mind is whether one should travel with their scuba gear or not. Well, to be frank, there are some aspects that you need to address because deciding on an answer.
Leaving your own scuba gear behind, you decide to rent it from your destination. However, upon reaching there, you rent the equipment and now you are all ready to dive. As you get into the equipment, you find it uneasy and once underwater, you find yourself acutely uncomfortable and all this steals the joy of the dive away. Travelling with your scuba gear is a sensible approach if you want to avoid all the hassle. However, there is always the chance of losing your gear during travelling.
Scuba gear takes up space and it is quite heavy indeed. Taking it along will cause you a little inconvenience. It is only you who has to decide if you can or cannot compromise your comfort over convenience. If you decide to leave it behind, you can certainly avoid a few extra pounds from your luggage.
If you opt for travelling with your own gear, make sure to keep the sensitive stuff such as the dive computer and regulator in your hand carry. It is highly recommended to use protective casings for all scuba gear. But if you are not willing to part with your money for these casings, placing the gear between soft material such as sponges or clothes will potentially decrease the damage threat to your equipment.
Make sure you keep your scuba diving documents such as the certification card and log book in a safe and secure place. The other equipment can be kept in the checked luggage such as the wetsuit, BCD and fins. It is critical to keep your documents in a safe place because even if you lose your gear along the way, it can be rented but you will most likely not be allowed to dive if you do not have the certification card.
Follow the tips above for a hassle free scuba dive!