How to plan for your dive trip

Know Before You Go:
How to Plan Your Dive Trip
 Dive Travel Packing Checklist
 Travel Preparation Timeline
 Tips for Health and Safety
 Gear Care Guidelines

DAN'S SMART GUIDE TO TRAVEL
Whether you're taking a 23-hour flight to Malaysia or a 23-minute drive to the shore, all diving involves some form of travel. For this reason, DAN recognizes travel safety as a key aspect of our mission. This Smart Guide is a quick and easy reference tool to help you prepare for your dive travel to local and international destinations.
BASIC PACKING CHECKLIST
The following checklist is not comprehensive. It is intended to provide a foundation to make it easier for you to customize according to the specific details of your trip. Copy, scan, or retype and customize this list, adding in any specialized equipment you need, as well as your clothing, toiletries, and other personal items necessary for your trip.

Essentials ◻ Certification card (C-card) ◻ DAN membership card ◻ Hat ◻ Nutritious snacks ◻ Sunscreen ◻ Water ◻ ____________ ◻ ____________   Gear ◻ BC/BCD ◻ Booties/fins ◻ Cutting tool or dive knife ◻ Dive computer ◻ Exposure suit ◻ Gear bag ◻ Gloves ◻ Hood ◻ Lights ◻ Mask ◻ Reels ◻ Regulator ◻ Snorkel ◻ Surface signal ◻ Tank(s) ◻ Weight ◻ Whistle ◻ ________________ ◻ ________________   Specialized equipment (optional) ◻ Camera and other photography equipment ◻ Diver propulsion vehicle (DPV) ◻ Oxygen unit ◻ Rebreather ◻ Speargun ◻ ________________ ◻ ________________ “Save-a-dive” kit ◻ Batteries ◻ Clasps ◻ Defogger spray ◻ Duct tape and waterproof adhesive/sealant ◻ Fin buckles and straps ◻ Lighter ◻ Mask strap or extra mask ◻ Multi-tool (including an adjustable wrench and hex key) ◻ O-ring kit (including O-rings for high- and low-pressure hoses, an O-ring pick and silicone grease) ◻ Regulator mouthpiece ◻ Snorkel keeper ◻ Weight belt or buckle ◻ White trash bag (or some white working surface) ◻ Zip ties/cable ties and bungee cord/shock cord ◻ Zipper wax ◻ Dive tables ◻ ________________ ◻ ________________ First-aid kit Basics ◻ Nitrile (hypoallergenic) ◻ CPR barrier (oronasal) ◻ Tweezers ◻ Safety pins ◻ Scissors ◻ Soap (or antiseptic solution or wipes) ◻ First-aid guide   Dressings and bandages ◻ Adhesive bandages (such as Band-Aids) ◻ Gauze pads and rolls ◻ Triangular bandages ◻ Elastic bandages(such as Ace Bandages) ◻ Medical tape   Accessory items ◻ Vinegar ◻ Sterile saline solution ◻ Irrigation syringe ◻ Hot and cold packs   Medications ◻ Aspirin ◻ Acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) ◻ Ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) ◻ Diphenhydramine (such as Benadryl) ◻ Hydrocortisone cream ◻ Antibiotic ointment ◻ Dimenhydrinate (such as Dramamine) ◻ Loperamide (such as Imodium) ◻ Antacid (such as Tums) ◻ ________________ ◻ ________________

DOMESTIC TRAVEL
One of the benefits of domestic travel is that it can be more spontaneous and cost efficient than international travel. Knowing how to get and stay prepared for even a short ride to the nearest coast, lake, or quarry can help make your local trips easier, safer and more enjoyable.

GET PREPARED:
 Create a packing checklist based on your typical dives.
 Maintain your gear so you can grab it and go.
 Assemble a first-aid kit and a save-a-dive kit.
 Keep your relevant certifications up to date.

BEFORE YOU HIT THE ROAD:
 Research the weather, currents, and water temperatures at your destination.
 Customize your packing checklist for this specific trip.
 Check — and if necessary replenish — your first-aid kit.
 Tell someone where you are going.
 Remember to bring plenty of water and healthy snacks.

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