Last friday we got our divegear.
It hangs nicely in the closet in the gastroom waiting until september.:P

We got the regulator scubapro MK 11 S555 with a consol with a Suunto CB3 gekko and the R295 octopus.
The jackets are Scubapro T-sport.
Shorty's, Waterproof for my husband an Scubapro for me.(Scubapro was the only shorty that fit me becorse i have kind of a long upperbody)
1x Bare boot and 1x Scubapro (again for me)
1x Twin Jet fin's (husband) and 1x Twin Speed.(me)

We also got a nice IQ bag to put it all in.

Only 55 more days before leaving!! :D

Congratulations. Suggestions for traveling with all that nice new equipment:

(1) Bring the regulators and computers with you on the airplane as part of your carry-on. We pack these (and other basic needs for the first day on Bonaire) in a standard wheeled suitcase that fits into he overhead compartment (i.e., about 20 - 21 inches tall).

(2) Pack everything else into standard wheeled suitcases (we use 26-inchers). That way, it does not shout "dive gear" although the destination of Bonaire shouts dive gear to some.

(3) When dragging all our gear through airports (it now takes two 26-inch suitcases, two 20-inch suitcases and one computer bag), I strap them tightly together in a "train". When tipped at the typical dragging angle, they neatly nest and stay at that angle until I straighten them up, with the weight of each resting on the adjacent bag. People usually comment about how smart, but I can easily drag all 5 bags myself. Only downside is the train does not makes tight turns.

(4) Put your name (or initials) on every item to make them easily identified.

(5) Consider buying separate insurance for your dive equipment. Usually not covered under homeowners or renters insurance. Various policies available (DEPP, PADI, ....). I use DEPP (Dive Equipment Protection Program), available via the web at www.awryinc.com. Cheapest coverage is about $35/year for $2000. Can have separate policies for each person and select what is covered to stay below that amount. Can also get "flood" coverage for cameras for a slight additional charge. Protects against loss and damage while in transit or during use, i.e., if your new regulator fell overboard while the dive boat was in transit.

AND - I have learned this from my visits to Unclaimed Baggage in Alabama - put a copy of your itinerary along with name and address INSIDE your bag as well. IF you baggage is lost and the outside ID tag comes off how will they ever find you? And you are more likely to get your bags to your destination in case something happens.

Thanks for all the tips.
I thought I had the right insurance for my trip, but I just got of the phone to check, just to be sure.
Glad I did, we were only insured for luggage for 1500 euro's, so I imidiatly changed that.
The divegear was included with the luggage so I did'nt need to change the whole insurance.

The tip about the regulator I got from the diveshop also, we got nice bags for free from them to put them in.

The rest of the tips are very helpful too.
Thanks!!!

(Message edited by Lilian_M on July 10, 2006)

Those were both really great tips.... I'll print this out for that "someday" trip

Great ideas! Thanks for the tips.

Mara,

We already do what you suggested about putting the itinerary (plus contact info) inside the luggage. We also include the itinerary and hotel info on the external tags, folded in half so as not to be easily seen, plus we use initials instead of our first names and my office address/phone number rather than home address and phone number. (One might even consider using the address/phone of a close friend so as to not advertise where you live while you aren't there. Worst that happens is your friend gets the bags if they get misplaced.)

Another suggestion re the suitcases: we use a softside set purchased from Costco for about $100 (for four pieces) and just plan on replacing it after about 6 - 8 trips rather than buying very high quality ones. Regardless of what you use, the baggage handlers (or whatever derogatory terms one might call them) have a way of damaging the bags after a few uses, so cheaper is better provided they are sturdy enough to hold the 50 pounds that we pack into them.