General
1. Check the Center for Disease Control website well in advance of your trip to determine which shots and vaccinations you may need and any special situations that may exist in the countries you are going to visit.

2. Check the US State Department website to determine your safety in the countries you plan to visit.

3. Pack light—you don’t need much and it’s not much fun to drag around a lot of extra stuff you don’t need.

4. Dress down—don’t make yourself look like a wealthy target in a poor country.

5. Lock your checked baggage to keep prying hands out.

6. Remove any metal items from your person (large metal belt buckles, etc.) from your person so you can quickly walk through airport metal detectors.

7. Check on the safety of the local drinking water before you go.

8. Drink a lot of purified water—one gallon a day will keep you healthy in tropical or hot climates.

9. Don’t ask a local if the the water is safe to drink:—of course it is for them, but it may make you very sick.

10. If the local water is unsafe, don’t: drink coffee or tea, use ice, eat washed and unboiled food or vegetables, or used a washed glass if you can avoid it.

11. Learn how to say “please” and “thank you” in the languages of the countries you visit.

12. Buy travel Insurance. It’s inexpensive and invaluable if you have a medical problem during you dive travels. Diver’s Alert Network (DAN) offers such insurance—check their website.

13. Carry on required medication that you can’t afford to be without.

14. Photographers: it’s best to buy all the film you need before departing for better prices and quality. We recommend that you carry on all of your film (exposed or unexposed). Don’t let the airport security people talk you into sending your film through their x-ray equipment. Multiple x-ray exposures can degrade even low-speed film.Carry your film in a large, clear zip-loc bag and request hand-inspection.If you have a lot of very expensive photo equipment you might want to consider a special insurance policy.

15. Airline baggage insurance has a per-bag limit—split up your valuables. Carry on small items of high value. Be aware that certain international carriers have rigid limitations on carry-on baggage.

SCUBA-Related
1. Carry on your mask—it’s not usually replacable at most destinations.

2. Tanks and weight belts should be rented at the dive destination. If you decide to check a tank, remove the valve and cap the tank to keep it clean inside.

3. Do not carry on dive knives—they will be confiscated.

4. “Taste” the air in your tank before getting into the water. If it “tastes” bad, don’t use it.

5. Choose the best, most reptuable dive center to work with—it usually costs the same for much higher quality equipment and service.

Warm Water Trip Necessities
For warm water destinations we recommend that you pack light and consider the following items:

• Dive gear (except tank & weight belt)
• Dive computer*
• Diveskin
• Bathing suit
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Mosquito repellent
• Party clothes for evening events
• Cool/comfortable clothing
• Walking shoes/sandals
• Camera
• Film

* Dive computers are not essential, but they are suggested because it will significantly increase your bottom time and diving flexibility. If your dive buddy is on computer, you must be also.