Dear Dirty Dozen Team Member,
I hope this message finds you healthy and well. We want to revisit a topic that we originally spoke about in 2019 which touches on the difficult task of packing effficiently for a once in a lifetime expedition.
We spoke with some of the most experienced expedition divers on the planet that all are a part of #teamdd, and comprised their feedback into a single checklist that can be downloaded and printed. Let’s get straight to it!
PACKING FOR A EXPEDITION
It’s no secret, technical diving is as gear-intensive as it gets. If you’re packing for Truk Lagoon, Bikini Atoll, or Galapagos — 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.
This checklist takes into consideration standard open circuit and closed circuit technical diving configurations. The checklist also covers the most popular form of UW photography; wide-angle supplemented with strobes and video lights.
It’s also important that you inspect and test all your dive equipment before joining us if you have just had your equipment serviced, we recommend testing it thoroughly before leaving home. Also remember that being a loyal member of Star Alliance or United Airlines, in particular, can give you as much as 96kg/211lb in checked luggage without extra cost!
While it may seem a lot, bear in mind our vessels operate where there are no facilities for repairing or servicing various brands of diving equipment OC/CCR. 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
Last-Minute Availability Updates
Truk Lagoon:
16 - 25 January 2022 Andy Torbet - Seats available
26 Jan - 05 Feb 2022 Jill Heinerth - 1 Spot Available
16 - 26 March 2022 A Dram Of Diving - Seats Available
Galapagos:
9-19 December 2021 CCR ONLY - 1 Spot available
Contact us now on info@thedirydozen.org to get more information about last-minute availability.
That sums it up for Dirty Dozen this week. We hope you have some fun plans coming up this weekend but if not, don’t forget, if you are feeling lonely then we are here to chat Dirty.
Best,
Aron ArngrÃmsson and the DDE Team