It’s no secret, technical diving is as gear-intensive as it gets. If you’re packing for Truk Lagoon or Bikini Atoll — some of the remotest diving destinations in the world — you want to have all your essentials with you. Add a sophisticated underwater camera setup and an advanced life-support system, and you have a recipe for sleepless nights wondering just how much you can stretch the bounds of your luggage allowance.
With that in mind, The Dirty Dozen Expeditions’ official equipment packing checklist is your new best friend when it comes to planning your trip to Truk or Bikini.
This checklist takes into consideration standard open circuit and closed circuit technical diving configurations. The checklist also covers the most popular form of photography in Truk Lagoon and Bikini Atoll; wide-angle supplemented with strobes and video lights.
It’s important that you inspect and test all your dive equipment before joining us in Truk Lagoon or Bikini Atoll. If you have just had your equipment serviced, we recommend testing it thoroughly before leaving home.
While it may seem a lot, bear in mind our vessel operates where there are no facilities for repairing or servicing diving equipment. While we carry a limited number of tools and common spares, divers should ensure they bring everything they need to be self-sufficient. This is especially true for rebreather divers as we do not carry the special tools required for all units or dedicated parts such as oxygen cells or batteries for all rebreathers.
Don’t let this list daunt you, and remember it’s just a guide. There may be things here you don’t need or that don’t apply to your setup. You’ll find that once you start packing your bags everything will come together and please feel free to reach out to us for further help or advice.
Text by Aron Arngrimsson with contributions from Mark Powell, Richard Lundgren, Jill Heinerth, Adam Hanlon, Antti Apunen, Martin Cridge, John Kendall, and Ferg Aldo.
Download the checklist PDF HERE
Download CCR NOTICE FOR AIRPORT/TSA PERSONNEL HERE
