Your Dive Travel Adventure

With dive shops located all over the world, the entire planet can now be a Dive Travel Adventure. Dive travel destinations can be found anywhere there is water. Diving is now so convenient you can show up the day of the dive, your c-card in hand, be suited up head to toe in rental scuba gear, and be taken out for a guided tour of the local dive sites. This is one of the greatest things about scuba diving-being able to travel the planet and explore different underwater environments.

Diving in another country is usually a little more complicated than diving at home. Here are some things you may have to consider when diving overseas…

• Traveling to your dive destination?

• Will you need any special documentation?

• Which dive operator will you be diving with?

• Will you need insurance?

• Should you take your own scuba gear?

Following a few simple precautions will help you have a better Dive Travel Adventure.

Travel

Since your Dive Travel Adventure will most likely involve flying to your dive destination, it’s good to know the luggage restrictions of the air carriers you plan to use. This is really important if the final part of your trip involves flights on small aircraft. Most do not offer excess baggage allowances for dive gear. Some good research before you fly will help avoid problems at check in. Carry special items like regulators and dive computers in your carry-on bag. And remember, a courteous approach to checking in will sometimes help get 2 or 3 pounds of excess dive gear on the plane instead of left behind in the terminal.

Documentation

When you travel outside your home country on a diving trip, make sure you have all the necessary travel documents. In addition to your passport you may need to have shot records and/or a medical statement from your doctor. Find out if the country you plan to visit requires a special visa.

In addition to these documents, make sure you carry all of you scuba documents. Treat your certification card and log book like your passport. If you plan to complete the open water part of any training on this dive trip, make sure you bring all the paper work with you and that it has been signed by your referring instructor.

Once you have all your documentation together, make a copy of everything. Keep them in a safe place, separate from the originals.

Dive Operators

All dive operators are not created equal. Despite the checks and balances within the diving industry, there are a few dive operators who do not adhere to all safety measures. There are several ways to find professional dive operators. You can contact the tourist information board of the location you plan to visit, check out the web sites of different certifying agencies, or look for listings in dive magazines. This is much better than wasting valuable dive time driving around looking for a good dive operator.

Once you arrive at your dive location, it’s always a good idea to check some things out. Make sure the operators have emergency oxygen and first aid facilities, proper communication equipment, and a proper compressor facility. The compressor should be clean and well maintained and the air certificates should be on display.

Dive Travel Insurance

Scuba diving is a safe sport. But like anything else in life, accidents do happen. This is why it is vital divers have good dive insurance when going on a Dive Travel Adventure. Good dive insurance should include emergency medical evacuation, medical care including decompression treatment; no limits on depth, equipment or breathing gases; accidental death and dismemberment; repatriation of remains; extra accommodations and airline transportation; vacation cancellation and/or interruption; lost diving equipment.

A good dive insurance policy will cover the bills your primary accident insurance will not, including deductibles. Choose a dive insurance that best suits you. Remember, it’s better to have dive insurance and not need it than to need dive insurance and not have it.

Most divers prefer to travel with their own scuba gear because it makes them feel more comfortable during a dive. While most rental equipment is of good quality and serviced regularly, there is nothing like diving with your our scuba equipment. You know that you own scuba gear fits properly, works correctly, and has been serviced recently.

Dive Travel Specialists

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