Flashlight as a carry on.

[freewillie]

How big a flashlight? You may not want to pack a big pistol grip style dive light unless there is a specific need. For almost all recreational diving a standard hand held dive light is more than adequate.

I typically carry a small Aeris A4 light. Takes only 4 AAA batteries and have taken in airplane with me, batteries included. I also pack an Ikelite PCa, also small and takes 6 AA batteries. Both put out more than enought light for standard night dive. If the lights go in packed luggage then I remove the batteries and put I plastic Baggie with the light.

If you want a bigger light check with your dive shop you booked your dives. They should provide lights as part of a night dive, and at least two shops in Hawaii also marked our tanks with light markers as well. It made my own night cayalume markers unnecessary. I did use them in Cancun for that night dive since lights were provided but tank markers were not.

Huge lights that light up the night reef also bother the night light so more Lumens is not always desired. Because the fish and creatures you see are nocturnal they don't like bright lights. I've had more than a few critters swim away immediately when our lights shined on them. You just need enough to see where you are going. You might also find that you can see better than expected if the moon is full. Bigger is not always better.

 

[imoto]

I just came back from Cozumel two weeks ago. I had a still in the package 8 pack of c batteries that were not permitted in my carry on. They wouldn't let me put them into my light either. Straight to the trash.

The bag inspectors were VERY thorough in Cozumel, I think they hand checked almost every carry on bag. Especially backpacks. They did allow my light to pass, and my extra GoPro batteries, but it was quiet tentative their for a moment.

 

[scagrotto]

if your light has a slide switch, use some tape to make sure it stays off.

Better still, put a piece of cardboard at one end of the battery compartment. That will eliminate problems from a switch that has been turned on by accident, as well as almost any damage that might somehow cause a short-circuit inside the light.

I have seen their security folks remove batteries from lights in checked baggage and just dump them loose in the bag. So much for USA Li-In safety protocols.

I can only guess that they're worried about the higher voltage from having the batteries connected in series. It may be theoretically possible for loose batteries to short circuit in a bag, but it seems awfully unlikely with batteries that have terminals on opposite ends.

It's worth noting that the closely spaced terminals on the same end of 9 volt batteries are far easier to short circuit. Check out this Youtube video about a house fire that started because of 9 volt batteries waiting to be recycled:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSJH21WmALc

 

[agilis]

I've had Customs/TSA people check the flashlight in my carry-on by turning it on to quickly check that it really is just a flashlight. If it did not light I presume they would have disassembled it. I think this was more in connection with drugs than with safety.

The smaller lights I carry on a plane have a secure lock position on the external switch. I only use lights that can be switched on and off with one hand.

 

[Donnah]

We have had to discard batteries several different times in Mexico, Honduras, etc. We put flashlights in checked baggage with tape on them so they can't be turned on. We have also left still-good batteries in the local dive shop when we leave.

 

[Wetsuit Pirates]

I would carry on the lights but leave the batteries in checked luggage. No point in getting stopped on your way out for something that is easily avoided.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

I've taken my flashlights on several trips and never had a problem. Their big issue is to make sure the batteries cannot short against something, get hot, and start a fire. Loose batteries are an issue, batteries in a device are not.

- Ric

Lithium batteries are only allowed in carry-on. You are not allowed to pack lithium batteries in checked baggage.

---------- Post added July 2nd, 2014 at 07:47 AM ----------

Check the TSA website before you travel. They have extensive information on what you can/can't take and how it has to be packed.

Prohibited Items | Transportation Security Administration

A quick search on 'drycell batteries' gets the following results:

"You may travel with dry batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D) in your carry-on or checked baggage.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits loose lithium batteries from being transported in checked baggage. Car batteries, wet batteries, or spillable batteries are prohibited from both carry-on and checked baggage unless being used to power a scooter or wheelchair. If a battery is used to power a scooter or wheelchair, you must advise the aircraft operator so that the battery can be properly packaged.

Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane."

 

[redacted]

Lithium batteries are only allowed in carry-on. You are not allowed to pack lithium batteries in checked baggage.

---------- Post added July 2nd, 2014 at 07:47 AM ----------

Check the TSA website before you travel. They have extensive information on what you can/can't take and how it has to be packed.

Prohibited Items | Transportation Security Administration

A quick search on 'drycell batteries' gets the following results:

"You may travel with dry batteries (AA, AAA, C, and D) in your carry-on or checked baggage.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits loose lithium batteries from being transported in checked baggage. Car batteries, wet batteries, or spillable batteries are prohibited from both carry-on and checked baggage unless being used to power a scooter or wheelchair. If a battery is used to power a scooter or wheelchair, you must advise the aircraft operator so that the battery can be properly packaged.

Even if an item is generally permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security concerns. The final decision rests with TSA on whether to allow any items on the plane."

If you place your lithium batteries (loose or installed in lights) in your carry-on on a flight departing from MEX, you will probably be leaving those batteries in MEX.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

If you place your lithium batteries (loose or installed in lights) in your carry-on on a flight departing from MEX, you will probably be leaving those batteries in MEX.

When I travel with items that use standard batteries like AA or C cells. I remove the batteries from the items and pack all-new batteries, still in the original packaging. I load the batteries when I get to my destination. For a typical 1-week scuba vacation, it is unusual for me to ever need more than 1 set of batteries for anything. When I am packing to go home, I remove the batteries and throw them away. I'm usually so close to the weight limit on baggage, that I don't need to carry the batteries back to the US. I've never had any problems with airport personnel.