Dive knife when travelling?

[scubadiver888]

I am going to Cuba and was wondering if there was any dive knife restriction. What are you experiences travelling with knives? Where are they restricted?

My shop own travels to Cuba all the time to do spearfishing. If he can bring a speargun then he could probably also bring a dive knife. You'd have to ask the dive shop in Cuba to be sure however.

Personally, I have never brought a knife to the Caribbean. Never needed one.

 

[WOODMAN]

Maybe I didn't phrase well, but that is actually the question I am asking.

So you are actually asking where do DIVE SITES restrict carrying knives? Whooo- that varies all over the map, and often depends on who you are using as a dive operator, if any. Cozumel, for example, doesn't allow dive knives (or gloves, etc.) but I never had anyone say anything to me about this. I think it's sort of a "don't ask, don't tell" situation. And as long as you don't flaunt the thing (or carry one of those 'underwater swords' that used to be so popular) you will probably be okay. It never hurts to ask in advance, however. (which is what you are doing..)

 

[Interceptor121]

A sharp foldable knife to carry in the BCD pocket is what I carry everywhere including regions where a knife is not allowed
And the reason is that when I won't carry the knife I will need it
I would avoid large knife with sheath to be put on your leg unless you use them for pineapple and to cut fruit...

 

[RJP]

Dive knives vs. line cutters-

Pros and Cons? Seems like line cutters are the way to go for gear you carry on..

A line cutter would NOT be allowed in carry-on baggage.

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Personally, I have never brought a knife to the Caribbean. Never needed one.

I've got a Halcyon knife in a sheath on the webbing of my BP/W rig. The knife is always in it. I've dived with it everywhere in the world, even in those places where knives are not permitted. No-one has every said anything, no-one has ever even noticed. In clear tropical water dives it would be rare to need a cutting tool from an environment standpoint, but there are all kinds of rescue needs where I can see a need -- I might need to cut you out of your gear, remove a wetsuit, cut strips of fabric for a tourniquet, etc, etc.

I carry at least one cutting tool on every dive, and will do so unless someone on-site specifically tells me that I can't.

 

[Firebird2XC]

Hmm. I'd been told some had gotten away with it. I certainly might, but not internationally. Perhaps I'll just buy a cheap one when I get where I'm going.

A line cutter would NOT be allowed in carry-on baggage.

---------- Post Merged at 11:02 AM ---------- Previous Post was at 10:56 AM ----------



I've got a Halcyon knife in a sheath on the webbing of my BP/W rig. The knife is always in it. I've dived with it everywhere in the world, even in those places where knives are not permitted. No-one has every said anything, no-one has ever even noticed. In clear tropical water dives it would be rare to need a cutting tool from an environment standpoint, but there are all kinds of rescue needs where I can see a need -- I might need to cut you out of your gear, remove a wetsuit, cut strips of fabric for a tourniquet, etc, etc.

I carry at least one cutting tool on every dive, and will do so unless someone on-site specifically tells me that I can't.

 

[nimoh]

A friend of mine has a small knife attached to his goodman handle, and forgot about when going to Mexico, and got away with it (i.e. TSA didn't notice it).

However, he also forgot about it on the way back, but this time it was confiscated.

My point is that with regard to any cutting tool, TSA may notice it, they may not and furthermore, it may be a little subjective, one agent may confiscate it, and another may not. So, packing it in carry-on is risking the loss of it.

 

[ColoDale]

I have found that any place that has a marine park generally does not allow dive knives. However, these are general remarks and may vary due to location. I have never seen a comprehensive list of marine parks and their rules so the best I can offer is to check with a dive op or gov't website regarding marine parks and rules for the specific location you are looking to visit.

 

[RJP]

Hmm. I'd been told some had gotten away with it. I certainly might, but not internationally. Perhaps I'll just buy a cheap one when I get where I'm going.

When I was flying home from Egypt (Hurgada to Cairo to JFK) I was stopped about every 10 feet over my cannister light battery which obviously looks like 5 sticks of dynamite taped together. Much discussion and managers being called over every time. Ultimately got it squared away, no problem. Fast forward to the plane being half-way across the Atlantic when I go to get a book out of my carry-on bag...

I had to pack my BP in my carry-on bag due to the weight of my checked luggage. As I open the bag to get my book I look in and realize that my backplate - which is now in the cabin of a jumbo jet flying from the middle east to New York City - has THREE cutting tools attached to the webbing. A Halcyon titanium dive knife, a DiveRite Z-knife, and a pair of trauma shears!

This bag had been x-rayed and hand searched no fewer than six times! I guess they were so distracted by the harmless battery each time that they missed three genuine threats.

A little scary, no?

 

[mathauck0814]

When I was flying home from Egypt (Hurgada to Cairo to JFK) I was stopped about every 10 feet over my cannister light battery which obviously looks like 5 sticks of dynamite taped together. Much discussion and managers being called over every time. Ultimately got it squared away, no problem. Fast forward to the plane being half-way across the Atlantic when I go to get a book out of my carry-on bag...

I had to pack my BP in my carry-on bag due to the weight of my checked luggage. As I open the bag to get my book I look in and realize that my backplate - which is now in the cabin of a jumbo jet flying from the middle east to New York City - has THREE cutting tools attached to the webbing. A Halcyon titanium dive knife, a DiveRite Z-knife, and a pair of trauma shears!

This bag had been x-rayed and hand searched no fewer than six times! I guess they were so distracted by the harmless battery each time that they missed three genuine threats.

A little scary, no?

Par for the course, really.

 

[gcarter]

I have this Wenoka Squeeze Lock Knife, Blunt attached to the grommets on my Balance BCD and this Strap Cutter - FG504 Green attached to my chest strap. I think I'll leave them on for the trip - BCDD will be checked.