Any Divers On Here? Luggage Related Issue?

[tommysmithfromleeds]

Hey there. Recently started Scuba Diving, and my course takes me to far away lakes and quarries. Packing the bike became an issue but I managed to sort it with a top box and ruck sack. As Im going to do more courses where the oppertunity to cadge a lift decrease, im left wondering the best way to pack my gear. I was wondering if there were any other Divers on the HUBB that have the same issue? And if so, what pannier manufacturer or top box size suit the equipment you carry?

I can smell a new genre of overland travel sprouting up "Riding it 'n' Diving It!"

Thanks.

[DLbiten]

I dive a bit but not on a bike, I do not think a bike is a good place for a tank if dropped they can go boom or fly a good way. But if can get air and a tank any box will do depending on your BC. I have done free diving using a milk crate for the gear. the scuba gear can get wet (save the valve on the regulator) and all that gear is vary tuff. get a box for the mask an a little dry box for parts like O rings (they get lost) wash out the BC as soon as you can salt will eat it up. Do NOT do any deep dives the bends on a bike can not be a good thing.

Some things you may want to think about is drying your scuba gear in a big net bag and strapping that to the back of the bike, rotting moldy smelly dive gear sucks to have around.

Most grate dive spots have places to rent your gear and mask snorkel fins do not take up that much room on the back.

[SpitfireTriple]

I took a mask and a snorkel with me on my 6000 mile ride to Turkey and back. Took every opportunity I could to swim, fresh water and salt.

Sorry, that doesn't help you much trying to lug around a BCD and a wet-suit!

Edit: Tommy: I did a 10(?) week PADI couse - "Open Water Diver" and did my qualification dives off Dahab in the Sinai. Very laid-back atmosphere, and crystal clear warm water, lovely, especially the Blue Hole - look it up on wiki or youtube. It's foolish of me to recommend Dahab given my complete lack of knowledge of other locations, but I'll recommend it anyway.

[tommysmithfromleeds]

Tanks Spitfire will deffinately look that up, been looking for a place to get away

[Xander]

I am a Padi Dive master, and i have to agree that carrying a air cyclinder (or any gas) would be a very bad idea. Not only is there the crash issue, it is also not recomeded to let your cyclinder stay in direct sunlight for to long (heat and uv degradation). HOWEVER on most courses you dont bring your own gas, and will need two or three for a days wet work, so there i no way i could see getting two on a bike. Besides you will not be covered on your insurance, you must carry any cyclinder in a safe way with a label on the outside of the car.

After saying all that negativity, if you are only talking wetty, fins, mask, BCD. then i would go the simple route. I carry all that gear in a large duffle bag, make sure that it is water proof, like the north face one, and strap it to the rear rack.. No worries, just keep your led low aand centred. This is so that 1) you can keep your bike salt water free, and two keep your gear WET until you can fresh water clean it ( you never want your gear to dry with salt still on it).

go for it and keep diving.

[tommysmithfromleeds]

Hey Xander thanks for the help. Yeah wasnt looking to carry a cylinder anywheres. A duffle bag sounds like a good investment. Finished my Open Water Course a couple weeks ago, hoping to do a few dives before stating advanced.

Howd you find being a divemaster?

Thanks.

[Thefastone]

Originally Posted by Xander

I am a Padi Dive master, and i have to agree that carrying a air cyclinder (or any gas) would be a very bad idea. Not only is there the crash issue, it is also not recomeded to let your cyclinder stay in direct sunlight for to long (heat and uv degradation). HOWEVER on most courses you dont bring your own gas, and will need two or three for a days wet work, so there i no way i could see getting two on a bike. Besides you will not be covered on your insurance, you must carry any cyclinder in a safe way with a label on the outside of the car.

After saying all that negativity, if you are only talking wetty, fins, mask, BCD. then i would go the simple route. I carry all that gear in a large duffle bag, make sure that it is water proof, like the north face one, and strap it to the rear rack.. No worries, just keep your led low aand centred. This is so that 1) you can keep your bike salt water free, and two keep your gear WET until you can fresh water clean it ( you never want your gear to dry with salt still on it).

go for it and keep diving.

Carrying a cyclinder on a private vechical does not require display lable.