First liveaboard advice

[MrBigfins]

Thanks Hoag

 

[Hoag]

Thanks Hoag

Hey, it is your first LOB. You're asking a lot of logical questions that you have obviously put some thought into.

 

[MrBigfins]

Hey, it is your first LOB. You're asking a lot of logical questions that you have obviously put some thought into.

I'm trying, half of the fun for me is the planning and research I put into trips before I go. I tend to geek out on the details beforehand. It helps to assage my impatience be on the trip already. For example I'm packed for a trip that doesn't leave for a month and a half lol

 

[Rickk]

Not only for live aboard but for all international travel.

Lots of countries will not allow you to import some common over the counter medications. Medications that are common in every country and even available locally sometimes cannot be carried across the border. (The UAE is especially tough on this.)

I always look and am careful taking decongestants into a country as these sometimes are on the banned list, especially if they contain compounds that can be made into illegal drugs. (meth)

 

[ofg-1]

Remember, you will be sharing a head with other people. I can pass along sage advice given to me by Captain Bill Crawford of the old Good Time Charlie in Key Largo. "When you're going out to sea, even men sit down to pee".

 

[Peter Bomberg]

Any experience with new skin instead? A friend suggested new skin for any booboos as it holds up against water well.

I vote for newskin/moleskin (both preventative and reactive use).

 

[KrisR]

A few things I take on every dive trip that haven't been mentioned above:

- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) tablets. I had a rash reaction to something in the water once and was absolutely miserable until I got some of these. I always carry them now.

- Small tube of Triple Paste for chafed or chapped skin (it's sold for diaper rash, but works for everyone).

- White noise generator app. Get used to it at home and it will definitely help you sleep. Put it on low volume next to your head so it doesn't bother your roommate.

- 10' (3m) phone charger cable. You may not be that close to a working outlet and you want your phone handy in case you need a light even if you don't take my advice on the white noise app.

- Running shorts as swimsuits. Unlike board shorts, they take very little space and dry fast and you can loop them through the liner for secure drying without clips. The liner also lets you wear them comfortably between dives without underwear, further cutting down packing and laundry.

One of the funniest things iv seen on a liveaboard was between 2 single Male travellers who were sharing a room. One guy who couldn’t sleep brought a white noise machine- but he turned it up to full volume and put his earplugs in- his room mate who didn’t have earplugs was raging. I found this hilarious.

 

[mcohen1021]

What boat?

My tips:

1. Dive deck: It can be windy, and that can/will chill you as well as make putting gear on/off/away a challenge. Be 1st to the boat and take a well protected spot, preferably where the door to the galley is.
2. Take a ditch [dry] bag with the things you MUST HAVE if you had to jump ship.
3. I only took a 5 mil suit. No socks, no hood, no gloves. I was never cold until back on the boat. For that I have a hoodie neoprene jacket – and yes I put it on over my wetsuit until I was out of the wind. You can get this one like mine for $110 but this isn’t a bad price either:
   
   https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyperflex-Playa-2mm-Neoprene-Jacket-Black/22062329?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=17363&adid=22222222227015927715&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=52619178431&wl4=pla-84495924671&wl5=9026839&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=120820433&wl11=online&wl12=22062329&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsp2-mqm75wIV5__jBx3rpQTbEAkYBCABEgIWAvD_BwE
4. Take your own liquor for after the dive day.

Have a great time and please post a review, pics and vids.

 

[MrBigfins]

One of the funniest things iv seen on a liveaboard was between 2 single Male travellers who were sharing a room. One guy who couldn’t sleep brought a white noise machine- but he turned it up to full volume and put his earplugs in- his room mate who didn’t have earplugs was raging. I found this hilarious.

Is it improper etiquette if that white noise machine had abandoned ship?

 

[MrBigfins]

What boat?

My tips:

1. Dive deck: It can be windy, and that can/will chill you as well as make putting gear on/off/away a challenge. Be 1st to the boat and take a well protected spot, preferably where the door to the galley is.
2. Take a ditch [dry] bag with the things you MUST HAVE if you had to jump ship.
3. I only took a 5 mil suit. No socks, no hood, no gloves. I was never cold until back on the boat. For that I have a hoodie neoprene jacket – and yes I put it on over my wetsuit until I was out of the wind. You can get this one like mine for $110 but this isn’t a bad price either:
   
   https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyperflex-Playa-2mm-Neoprene-Jacket-Black/22062329?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=17363&adid=22222222227015927715&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=52619178431&wl4=pla-84495924671&wl5=9026839&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=120820433&wl11=online&wl12=22062329&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsp2-mqm75wIV5__jBx3rpQTbEAkYBCABEgIWAvD_BwE
4. Take your own liquor for after the dive day.

Have a great time and please post a review, pics and vids.

Socorro Aggressor
1.I got a boat coat for this situation as it's something others brought up as well
2.i keep my save a dive kit in a waterproof box, and bring a spare that holds my medicines while traveling, I intend to switch this to my ho box while on boat.
3. See note for 1
4. Not a big drinker but I do intend to snag a bottle of tequila that I may sip an evening or two, especially since there are no night dives (sad about that)
I will post pics, reviews and videos. I intend to take more video then I normally do so we will see how that goes. Thanks everyone for the sage advice so far, I'm sure that my trip will be better because of it.