Packing a regulator

[diver 85]

I put mine in a reg bag, more or less centered in the suitcase, nestled inside the BCD.

OTOH, I never use the reg bag when hauling gear to/from a boat or shore dive. For that I just have the reg wrapped inside the wetsuit, which is probably just a effective.

Regulators are pretty tough. I'm a lot, lot more careful with my prescription bifocal mask.

I guess you're about seeing things UW------What's this dive world coming to???........

EDIT:-----me too, btw....

[Mrs. K]

Is there a problem with putting your regulator in the checked luggage?

[vladimir]

My doubles set plus a stage bottle rig plus computer and bottom-timer all pack into a DiveRite reg bag about the size of an insulated lunch bag.

I also recommend the DiveRite regulator bag, though I'm not sure we use the same one. Mine is circular, lightly padded, and about a foot in diameter. The regulator coils up in there nicely with room to spare, which I usually fill with clothing. DiveRite also used to make padded mask bags, which I use for my masks, strobes, O2 analyzer, etc. I agree with those who say you don't need specialized bags, but I find they are an easy way for me to pack and keep my stuff organized for the duration of a trip. The bags were a little on the expensive side, and I don't see them at DiveRite or DiveGearExpress, so they may have been discontinued.

I've never had a carry on weighed

Airlines in Asia are more likely to weigh your carry-on, in my experience, and they have stingier allowances--typically about 7 kgs, as opposed to 18 kgs on Continental, for example. Pelican cases and the like seem to invite weight checks.

Is there a problem with putting your regulator in the checked luggage?

No, not at all. I always check mine. Regulators are not at all fragile, but use wetsuits and clothing as padding to ensure safe transit.

[abu]

Is there a problem with putting your regulator in the checked luggage?

Outward bound I carry my reg with me in a backpack just in case my luggage is lost and takes a while to catch up with me. I really hate diving with a rented reg.!

[Charlie99]

Is there a problem with putting your regulator in the checked luggage?

No problem, unless your bag is delayed. I've haven't had any problems over the last 10 years of carrying it in my checked bag at 3 or 4 times a year.

If my bag is delayed by the airline, I might have to (gasp!!!) rent a regulator.

Regulators are pretty tough items and with reasonable care in packing should have no problem.


Charlie

p.s. Many people talk about airlines losing bags. In many years of business travel I've only had one bag truly and permanently lost. I've had bags delayed many times, including one that took 10 days to catch up with me, but only once was the disappearance permanent.

[WOODMAN]

Is there a problem with putting your regulator in the checked luggage?

As stated above, you can always put it in your checked bag(s), but then you run the risk of having it go somewhere other than your destination. Small risk, I know, but it happens. We got around this by putting essential gear in our carry on bags, so we always know where it is. Regulator, mask and snork, laptop (we carry one between us), and a couple changes of clothes and stuff go into backpacks, and my camera gear goes into my carryon bag. Judy puts various things in her carryon, and so we are able to operate if the checked bag goes astray. BC's, suits, fins, etc. go in the checked bags and are easily rentable if necessary.

[Supermanwoot]

PS - Miflex hoses help a lot!

I'm running miflex hoses to my 2nd stage and alt air inflator on the BCD + wireless transmitter. It takes up ZERO space,and the miflexes allow me to manage the hoses in any way i want. I highly recommend them for the flexibility and weight reduction. And they are as good as a swivel in terms of improving ease of motion underwater. I mean if you are packing your carry on just throw the hoses between clothes and throw the 2nd and 1st stages in the corner.

No need for a reg bag IMO as that i gonna take up a lot of extra space IN a carry-on bag. However, a reg bag is an interesting idea for a "personal item" to carry on in addition to your bag or in a checked bag for protection. But really the space takers in your bag are fins/BCD/wetsuit... maybe I should play around with vacuum packing wetsuits??

[Shasta_man]

I use a photo backpack for my video housing and the reg. No need for a reg bag or to wrap it up because you are hand carrying it, and so can protect it. Make sure you do an intial dive with "checkout" in mind so you don't discover damage did occur at 80 feet. You can't necessarily tell that just by breathing it at the surface.

As alluded to in other messages, it's easier to try to wear that backpack casually indicating little weight, despite weighing 20+ lbs.

[FireInMyBones]

Mine goes in my carry-on with the rest of my dive gear, yes all of it.
I get a personal bag (backpack with laptop, clothes and toiletries) and a carry on (BP/W, L Jet fins, reg w/ long hose, chamois, wrist computer, wrist compass, two masks, snorkel for surface activities, and a LM 12W LED light).
The regs get wrapped in the chamois.

[helengomez]

I always carry as carry-on in a Reg Bag inside my hand luggage bag! Be careful I just had a friend have an airline tell him he could not take his regs on as carry-on as they could be used as a strangling device?!!! But his belt was OK! Seriously I would not want to risk damaging my regs by using them in this way!