IDA-71 To Bahamas

Mossyback · 3rd October 2007, 04:27

Perhaps this question should be on the "Trips" forum but since it involves my homebuilt I'm putting it here.

We've booked a diving trip to the Bahamas (Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros) and I want to take my IDA-71. We're flying WestJet out of Toronto. Their website states and a phone call has confirmed the following - "WestJet only accepts empty/emptied cylinders (pressure gauge must read zero). Tank valve must be open."

Having read the horror stories on RBW I'm wondering if I'm missing something. The above statement would mean that I could take my Russian O2 tanks as the valves don't have to be removed.

I also asked about the scrubbers and CO2 absorbent but got no official answer.

Any comments would be appreciated. Have any of you flown from Canada direct to the Caribbean with you rebreather?

Hank

**SeaBass** · 4th November 2007, 21:21

Hank, I personally do not know the answer to your question but am interested in knowing myself. I would like to make a trip to Eluethera but have a lot of questions as to whether it would be feasable to take a *travel rebreather* there.

--SB

**Dave Sutton** · 4th November 2007, 21:44

The good news: Departing from Canada, empty cylinder and open valve are OK, so you'll be all set. But don't transit thru the USA like that! You'll loose your cylinder.

Bad news for US guys: No way for this in the USA, the valve must be *removed* and good luck on an IDA-71 cylinder (threaded in with cement in a tapered thread).

Dave

Mossyback · 5th November 2007, 20:37

Here's an update on this saga. I contacted the customs and security people here in Canada and they were most helpful.

1. I can request to be present when they do the security check on my 71. Someone on RBW listed a hard-sided suitcase that will fit the machine and I'm going to get one. Hopefully being present will mean that the 71 doesn't get trashed in the process.

2. I have a name and phone number and it was suggested that a call the day before departure to give them a heads-up would help the process.

3. I'm going to pack the sofnolime in plastic bags along with the company notices re: travel and safety. Hopefully this will overcome the "white powder" syndrome.

Of course, "The proof is in the puddings eating" and whether this will go smoothly I'll only know after the fact.

Sea Bass: As Dave indicates - you're screwed if you fly out of the U.S. because of the tank valves. Perhaps a solution would be to head north and fly out of Vancouver.

I'm not going until March Break but I'll post after the event and let everyone know how it goes.

Hank

Crazyduck · 6th November 2007, 14:00

Tom did a work around on this-
http://www.atlimp.com/classicconvertible.pdf

He found fittings that allowed him to use standard tanks and to move away from the russian tanks.

Just thinking out loud.

Andrew

**SeaBass** · 10th November 2007, 02:43

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mossyback)

Sea Bass: As Dave indicates - you're screwed if you fly out of the U.S. because of the tank valves. Perhaps a solution would be to head north and fly out of Vancouver.

Hank

Hank, Unfortunatly I tossed my russian tanks shortly after I got my IDA-71 so I suppose if I traveled with it I could remove the valves like Dave suggested.

Would be really cool to see pictures of your IDA in the Carribean at the end of this thread come March.

--SB

3rd October 2007, 04:27	#1 (permalink)
Mossyback Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southern Ontario, Canada Posts: 109	IDA-71 To Bahamas Perhaps this question should be on the "Trips" forum but since it involves my homebuilt I'm putting it here. We've booked a diving trip to the Bahamas (Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros) and I want to take my IDA-71. We're flying WestJet out of Toronto. Their website states and a phone call has confirmed the following - "WestJet only accepts empty/emptied cylinders (pressure gauge must read zero). Tank valve must be open." Having read the horror stories on RBW I'm wondering if I'm missing something. The above statement would mean that I could take my Russian O2 tanks as the valves don't have to be removed. I also asked about the scrubbers and CO2 absorbent but got no official answer. Any comments would be appreciated. Have any of you flown from Canada direct to the Caribbean with you rebreather? Hank __________________ "Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are."
(Offline)

4th November 2007, 21:21	#2 (permalink)
SeaBass Thom Susko Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Ray Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Ray Home Build Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 246	Re: IDA-71 To Bahamas Hank, I personally do not know the answer to your question but am interested in knowing myself. I would like to make a trip to Eluethera but have a lot of questions as to whether it would be feasable to take a travel rebreather there. --SB
(Offline)

4th November 2007, 21:44	#3 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,907	Re: IDA-71 To Bahamas The good news: Departing from Canada, empty cylinder and open valve are OK, so you'll be all set. But don't transit thru the USA like that! You'll loose your cylinder. Bad news for US guys: No way for this in the USA, the valve must be removed and good luck on an IDA-71 cylinder (threaded in with cement in a tapered thread). Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
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5th November 2007, 20:37	#4 (permalink)
Mossyback Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Southern Ontario, Canada Posts: 109	Re: IDA-71 To Bahamas Here's an update on this saga. I contacted the customs and security people here in Canada and they were most helpful. 1. I can request to be present when they do the security check on my 71. Someone on RBW listed a hard-sided suitcase that will fit the machine and I'm going to get one. Hopefully being present will mean that the 71 doesn't get trashed in the process. 2. I have a name and phone number and it was suggested that a call the day before departure to give them a heads-up would help the process. 3. I'm going to pack the sofnolime in plastic bags along with the company notices re: travel and safety. Hopefully this will overcome the "white powder" syndrome. Of course, "The proof is in the puddings eating" and whether this will go smoothly I'll only know after the fact. Sea Bass: As Dave indicates - you're screwed if you fly out of the U.S. because of the tank valves. Perhaps a solution would be to head north and fly out of Vancouver. I'm not going until March Break but I'll post after the event and let everyone know how it goes. Hank __________________ "Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are."
(Offline)

6th November 2007, 14:00	#5 (permalink)
Crazyduck Underwater Mechanic Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TEXAS, Dallas/ Ft.Worth Posts: 720	Re: IDA-71 To Bahamas Tom did a work around on this- http://www.atlimp.com/classicconvertible.pdf He found fittings that allowed him to use standard tanks and to move away from the russian tanks. Just thinking out loud. Andrew __________________ Howdy Senor- What’s Happening! Rob Davie April 2005- Presently in a state of transition from Open Circuit to Closed Circuit. "You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by it." - Buddha.
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10th November 2007, 02:43	#6 (permalink)
SeaBass Thom Susko Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Ray Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Ray Home Build Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 246	Re: IDA-71 To Bahamas Quote: (Originally Posted by Mossyback) Sea Bass: As Dave indicates - you're screwed if you fly out of the U.S. because of the tank valves. Perhaps a solution would be to head north and fly out of Vancouver. Hank Hank, Unfortunatly I tossed my russian tanks shortly after I got my IDA-71 so I suppose if I traveled with it I could remove the valves like Dave suggested. Would be really cool to see pictures of your IDA in the Carribean at the end of this thread come March. --SB
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