How to Travel With a Scuba Tank
While scuba divers usually rent bulky scuba tanks from a dive shop or dive club at their destination, there are plenty of reasons why you might need to fly with a scuba tank. You might have a pony tank that serves as your back-up air, or you might be a deep diver with specialized equipment. Another possibility is that your trip is meant to explore new diving areas, and therefore is going to a place where there are no tanks to rent. All of these circumstances demand that you fly with your scuba tanks, and that requires exacting preparation.
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Instructions
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Turn the knob on the top of the scuba tank to open its valve and empty any remaining air from the scuba tank. If you are preparing a pony tank with a built-in breathing regulator, press the purge valve button in the outside center of the mouthpiece to empty the tank of air.
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Unscrew the valve or regulator from the tank by turning it with a wrench. This is a step necessary to pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspection. Apply firm, steady force to avoid damaging the screw threads or the valve. If the valve or regulator is stuck, apply a penetrating lubricant such as WD-40 to the valve, wait 10 to 15 minutes and try again.
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Clean both the valve and the valve mounting in the tank with detergent and water if you used lubricant, and then hand dry these areas. You do not want any lubricant left inside the tank, since lubricant residue may prove toxic if breathed at high pressure while underwater.
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Pack your scuba tank for travel. If you are flying with a pony tank, you could add this to your carry-on luggage with no extra steps. For a full-size tank, wrap entire tank in bubble wrap or cardboard strips and secure that with packing tape. This protects the tank from mishandling. If TSA needs to inspect the tank, they can simply open the wrapping, look inside the tank and then reseal it.
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References
- Photo Credit diving tank image by Marcin Wasilewski from Fotolia.com
