What is the best way to carry all the gear??

[EFB]

Last night at our first OW class, I realised exactly how much stuff there is. They gave us a bag with the BCD, octopus, wet suit, fins, mask and snorkel and that went on my back. I put the weight belt over my arm (and I am sure that wasn't so smart) and I struggled as to how to carry the tank.

What's the best and safest way to carry the weight belt and tank?
I guess I should have been watching what the pros were doing...I saw trainees almost push the tank along (which I thought was a horrible idea), some carry it from the bottom and some holding on to the top.

TIA
TIA

[Lee Taylor]

Most people carry tanks by the valve. Sometimes throwing it onto your shoulder helps with the weight.

There are bags on the market designed just for weights. These tend to keep the weights together even during the off season.

I use a mesh roller bag for my fins, BC, and regulator.

I have a shoulder mesh bag with a LARGE mouth for my booties, wetsuit, mask, etc

You will work out what is best for you. I highly suggest you go with some sort of mesh for drying purposes. If you use mesh and do not LEAVE your gear in the bag for long periods, you will practically eliminate odor.

[Doc Harry]

The easiest way to carry the tank is to attach it to the BC and wear your BC (and the tank) on your back.

Easiest way to carry the weight belt is around your hips.

The bag with the rest of the gear hangs off one shoulder.

If you carry the tank by the valve, be sure that the valve orifice point away from your palm. Otherwise, you could end up with a high-pressure injection injury to your palm if you accidentally bump the valve into the "on" position.

[windapp]

Just a note. Never wear your weight belt around on a boat without a functioning bcd. Otherwise you might find yourself on a very quick trip to the bottom of the ocean or lake.

For transportation locally, I put all of my stuff except the weights in a big tote. My weights I carry on a weight belt.

[g1138]

If you have a backpack style mesh bag it may be easier to carry the tank in your arms. Keep the center mass in your elbows, hands pointed up and free.
The backpack mesh bag then goes on your back and the weights go on your hips. If the weights dig in to much you can sling it like a bandolier.

If you have a tote/duffel style mesh bag then Doc Harry's method would be perfect. The only issue would be throwing a tank and BC in the trunk of your car when they're connected. There's a chance that the tank can cause unnecessary wear on the BC when you're driving.

If you have to carry 2 tanks then make multiple trips.
- One tank with gear on the first trip.
OR
- 2 tanks first trip; hold the valves with the orifice facing away from the palms.
(reason for this is it's really easy to slip and turn the valve on when it's pointing into your palm. Doing this can give you can air embolism.)
- gear second trip

[driftwood]

I put the BC on the tank and the tank, secured with a bungee cord, on a dolly . Everything else goes in a mesh backpack (Stahlsac Panama).

[mike1010]

A big dive Toter like the Stanley job box, and then throw a sta on top to hold tanks, works well for local diving not so much for air travel

[fnfalman]

Just a note. Never wear your weight belt around on a boat without a functioning bcd. Otherwise you might find yourself on a very quick trip to the bottom of the ocean or lake.
That depends on whether or not you also have your exposure suit on, and whether or not you're overweighted.

[TMHeimer]

My methods:
For boat dives: Everything but weights/tank in it (if you use your own)--exposure suit if it fits. Hold tank by valve & aim the opening away from you. Weights all together in a big mesh bag.

Gearing up from car: leave all stuff loose, secure tank for travel. Take a big plastic bin to put wet stuff in after dives. Plastic to cover car (trunk) area to keep dry.

Walking to shore site: As mentioned-use a dolly with lock & chain for it. If not too far a walk, as mentioned, wear the unit--keeps all sand out of reg. If long walk, get younger.

[Nightwitch]

or easier still..get someone else to carry it all for you....JUST KIDDING!!!

Make more than one trip simple :-)

[nelsonrl]

you can use the method my wife prefers, put as much as possible in MY bag and let me drag it around.

Small price to pay to get to enjoy this sport with her.

[adelman]

If you carry the tank by the valve, be sure that the valve orifice point away from your palm. Otherwise, you could end up with a high-pressure injection injury to your palm if you accidentally bump the valve into the "on" position.

I would add to this that if you carry the cylinder by the valve, come up from "behind" so the orifice faces away from palm, put some fingers under the
part of the valve body that has the on/off knob, and some under the part that has the burst plug. You want to avoid as much as practical lifting it by the
valve knob, as you risk bending the valve stem when you do so.

[TSandM]

I'm a big believer in using the BC to carry the tank whenever possible. I also believe in making more than one trip, when there is a lot of heavy stuff to be carted (and for boat diving in the PNW, there is a LOT of heavy stuff!). My typical routine for a boat is to wear the BC and tank down on the first strip, carrying my dry suit bag and/or dry bag. Second trip is mesh bag with the rest of my gear, and weight belt. If extra tanks need to be taken to the boat, that's what rolling carts are for :)

[Akimbo]

The best way is to have a tender haul it around for you! A close second is to just leave in onboard your diving yacht.

Seriously, it varies a lot based on you and your gear. The same methods don’t work for a 6’4” guy carrying an aluminum 80 versus a 98 Lb female packing doubles for an Atlantic wreck dive. Watch the people around you and try different techniques until you find what works for you. My best advice is keep your back straight and lift with your legs.

[windapp]

That depends on whether or not you also have your exposure suit on, and whether or not you're overweighted.

If you are using an aluminum 80, and properly weighted, you will be 5 lbs overweight for your exposure suit. Compound that with a 5 foot falling head start into the water, and the rapid decrease in buoyancy as you sink, no fins, no way to get air in your lungs, and the shock factor......

[fjpatrum]

Can I say "on someone else's back"???

Seriously, though, I put my gear in a large mesh duffle bag. It has shoulder straps for the longer hauls to the water. I carry my tanks separately, of course. To carry tanks I just pick them up by the valve with two fingers on either side of the stem (two on the knob two on the other side) and off I go. For long walks I'll occasionally put one hand under the bottom of the tank as well.

Going minimalist is also a nice way to reduce the load you have to carry.

[windapp]

I just want to say that I think carrying all the heavy gear around has got to be the absolute worst part about diving.

[DivemasterDennis]

There is a product on the market for about 10 dollars or less that is a slip on handle so you can carry the tank like a suitcase. Try diver's direct or other big on line vendors, or ask at you LDS. If they don't carry them I am sure they can order you one. Carry the lead on a weight belt like a suitcase too. Everything else in a collapsable "boat bag" or mesh bag.
DivemasterDennis

[--tom--]

One other tip that is slightly outside of what you asked, I use a Rubbermaid bin (I think 15 gallon) for my car. All of the wet stuff goes there for transport, so that my car doesn't smell like an old wharf or sea lions.

[scubadiveilat]

Carrying your things from the "dive centre" to a dive site if not far or Transportation vehicle.

You can assemble the regulator, octopus, tank and BCD together.

Making it easy to carry while wearing the BCD and equipment assembled.

The weights can be hazardous if not carried properly.

Assemble all the weights and feed them throw the belt. Adjust and align to your hips. as required.

When completed! Feed the belt to the buckle and lock it. Ensure it's safe and not sliding. If all ok!!! Carry the weights while the buckle is locked and secured. carry with a free hand, This way they can't fall, slide or get in the way.

The rest of the equipment which is lighter.

Wear wetsuit and guard protection and booties etc. The rest place in a mesh or scuba bag and carry as you may. If a couple trips are required follow throw or ask someone for help. It can get heavy and annoying sometimes.

Have fun diving and enjoy!!!

[Splitlip]

Well..
I do mostly 2 tank trips. When I was at university, I labored for a block mason. I learned it was better to balance the load when carrying in my hands. So..I use a shoulder or back pack gear bag for my kit while carrying a tank in each hand.

But in my world, if I am not diving off a boat in a backyard, I pull up to the dock in my vehicle, drop my ****, park my car then board the boat.:D

[davetowz]

I like the idea of porters..but lacking that I stuff my dive gear into my truck using stanley boxes and have mesh bags for the wet stuff post dive. When going onto a boat i put my stuff together and then have a big akona mesh bag for the rest.

[freewillie]

Find a dive charter that has 'concierge' service. You drop all your gear off at the curb and they take all the gear to the boat for you.

[freewillie]

I use XS Scuba mesh back pack with wheels. When carrying weights, they go in the bottom, everything else then gets packed on top. Still won't accomodate the tank so grab the tank in one hand and wheel the back pack with the other.

You can get a dolly specially designed for scuba tank and beach, then weights and tank go on dolly then attach back pack and off you go.

[James R]

I carry tanks like this: right hand the knob points in front of me and in my left hand it points behind me. This causes the natural motion of lift to turn the valve off rather than on. If they slip a little the tanks dont blast air.

On my back goes a big mesh bag with all the rest of my gear and my backpack.

Locally I dive my Faber HP100 singles so never have any weight belts or weights to carry. If I am in blue water with an AL80 I only use 6lbs with my AL backplate. Two three lb weights are hardly noticeable in my bag.

If it's a tec dive all the above goes out the window...