Katarzyna Potocka
As you might have read in the previous post, I spent an amazing week on a diving trip in Egypt. If you don’t know what I am talking about, you should check out my post about my diving trip to Egypt. Long story short – I was asked by a friend if I wanted to join a group of people I had never met before for a week full of diving. My answer: “Hell yes!”. As soon as I was added to the WhatsApp group “Coral Garden 7-14.9.2024” I started asking all the questions. Especially what to pack on a diving trip, because I might be a pro in packing my suitcase for 3 months in Thailand, but one week in Egypt – no fucking clue. And because I love lists I therfor created a packing list for diving trips.
First of all, I have to admit that except for my bikini, I had literally nothing that was required for a diving trip. But no worries, the Dive Austria club had me covered. I got the following equipment from them:
- fins
- wetsuit
- shoes
- scuba mask
- torch
- regulator
- BC (buoyancy compensator) jacket
- diving computer
So tbh I had everything I needed for the trip – at least the most important and essential things.
However, during my trip, I realized that some things would go on my packing list for my next diving adventure. So in the next paragraphs, you will find some items and a short explanation of why I think they should go on every divers packing list.
Waterproof Flip Flops
Obviously, you need some shoes to walk around the dive base. And also when there is a shower around and you don’t want always to have to run to your room after each and every dive and also are not eager to be washed off with a tube every single time, you might want to jump into the nearest public shower.
After my Crocs Flip Flops broke on the first day, I had to switch to normal flip flops which definitely haven’t been non-slippery. And believe me when I say that I did the “wet-flip-flops-on-wet-floor-arms-rotating-for-the-sake-of-saving-my-life” dance several times a day. It is very much recommended – out of experience – to have some absolutely 100% non-slippery flip-flops.
Bikini
Although I was equipped with 2 bikinis, next time I would definitely pack at least one more, just to be safe. I had to change bikinis 4 times a day, and only because it was so hot, I was pretty ok with just two pieces.
Sport Shorts
I had a couple of normal shorts with me, but to be honest, I have been wearing just one pair to dinner every day. The rest of the day I was in my bikini, covered with my Sarong, or some sports shorts and a sports tank top. And because sport shorts are fast-drying and super comfy they are the best thing to wear except for your wetsuit.
My favorites are the ones from Under Armour Play Up 3.0 Women’s Shorts.
Audispray – Meerwasserlösung
After only the first day I already had issues with my ears. Not being able to equalize properly I also had the issue of not hearing properly and having the feeling of hearing everything through a thick wall of Marshmallows.
Thankfully I was surrounded by professional divers who had all the things that one could need while diving. One of those things has been a 100% purified seawater ear spray. I used it every single time after diving to clean my ears and it worked miracles.
The product I used: Audispray
Scubapro Neoprene diving headband
After the first day of having my ear issues someone mentioned that a headband might help to keep my ears warmer and to stop the water flowing through constantly during the whole dive. And because the ear issue was super annoying I was willing to try everything. So thankfully the dive club had a headband in the shop, that I purchased and tried out immediately on my next dive. And I have to say that this is one of the things I will never go diving without. Just saying: Miracle worker!
The product I purchased: Scubapro Neoprene diving headband
Protein shake
In order to get enough protein into your diet while diving 4 times a day, it is a good idea to bring your own protein shake powder to mix with some water. I like the one from Foodsrping because the vegan, neutral one has no included sugar, so it’s perfect for me.
https://www.foodspring.at/vegan-protein-neutral
Electrolytes
In addition to enough water and proteins, you should also drink enough electrolytes. I need yet to find the best electrolytes for me because I would love to get some that do not have added sugar. But that might be hard.
I haven’t yet but might try once the ones that have been suggested by Tim Ferris in one of his 5-Bullet Newsletters: Drink LMNT
Snacks
Sometimes you just need a snack, especially when you dive 4 times a week. And because in hotels you normally can’t really find healthy snacks, you should bring your own. Something like nuts, protein bars, and rice waffles are always good options.
Giveaway for staff
Normally I always travel with some giveaways for people I meet on the road, birthdays that might happen, or just because I want to say thank you to someone who helped me with something or was kind to me.
So I always bring sweets like Mozartkugeln, Mannerschnitten, or chocolate – always a good idea to have some giveaways in your luggage.
Cash
Because abroad there are still a lot of places that do not take credit cards or at least charge extra money for using them, it is always good to have enough cash with you. And not only cash but also smaller bills to be able to give tips where tips are deserved.
- € 10 bills (x 4 for tip boxes)
- € 600 for diving
- € 50 for dive club
Reef-safe Hair oil
I was wondering if so much salt water might damage my hair and after researching a bit, I realized that this might really be an issue. So in order to keep my hair from getting super dry I decided to purchase some reef-safe hair oil, that was recommended by several dive posts. I used it every time in the morning before the first dive and every time I had the chance to in between the dives. And to be honest – I am super impressed on how wonderfully it worked. After the week of diving, I even had the feeling that my hair was nicer than before.
The product I tested was Watersports Hair Care – Efficient hair product for watersports.
Log Book & Stickers
I started my diving adventure in Thailand. And tbh no one there had a log book. They have all been using the SSI app. Which back then was absolutely fine for me. I am a fan of having everything on my phone, so I was good with that. But then I went on a one-week diving trip with some friends who all had a physical log book. And not only that. They had fish stickers and a fish-washi-tape kind of thing. They all exchanged stamps and signed the dives they had been doing together. Little did I know that I would not only go back home with a new dive log book, another log book for Level 4-5, some fish stickers, a fish-washi-tape-thingy but also an Amazon basket full of stickers, stamps, etc.
Diving Computer
I still don’t have my own, but I am currently in the middle of the process of deciding which one I want to get. The following ones are on the “maybe” list:
Although I have to admit that I tested (by wearing it for a couple of hours) the Garmin Descent G1 and hell the display is not something for my eyes. First of all, I don’t like the monochrome display. I need color in my life and after having been wearing an Apple watch for over 10 years now, I can’t go back to a monochrome display. And also … jeeee … the letters/numbers are fucking small. I am at the age now that I need someone else to hold my iPhone so that I can read the messages … so the Garmin Descent G1 is a no-go.
Anything missing?
If there is anything missing, that needs to go on my packing list for diving trips, please let me know.
