Hubby and I are learning...he got his certification a month or so ago, and I'm currently enrolled in the PADI course....

...anyhoo, this looks like it could be a great sport for us. We've got the basic "personal gear" and BCDs. Eventually, we'll work our way up to suits, regulators/computers and tanks....

...I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for toting all this stuff around. Favored Scuba bags or something?

Hubby spent $15 and bought a mesh duffel. He's considering a California Dive Box when he has more gear to tote.

Thus far, I haven't picked up a bag of any sort. I'd love to get something that rolls....

any suggestions??

Welcome to the club!!!! I would suggest the lightest and most compact equipment you can find and the best quality you can afford. Traveling with scuba gear can be tough so go minimalist and it will make it much more fun and less work.

I am a PADI OWSI and have dove and traveled around both of our back yard oceans and I go as light as I can after hauling around very large dive gear bags at the beginning and having to pay extra fares for gear that never seems to dry and extras I did not use on the trip.

Diving is based on gear you can not live without and an awful lot of toys that are tempting to purchase but in most cases unnecessary to the enjoyment of the sport. If you have ever gone backpacking you can use that as a guide to decide on the equipment you really need and bypass the extra weight to find more enjoyment in the sport. Good luck and go get wet!!!!

I love free diving and snorkeling...

I have never taken classes for padawon certification or anything like that.

I free dove and bug hunted for many years before I started using scuba. Free diving is more peaceful, but being able to hang around for a longer period of time has its advantages and is big time fun!!

I've been diving since the '50s and am always happy to welcome a new bubble blower to the club. My current bag is a generic dive bag and is at least 20 years old. Any dive shop should have a varied selection. I recently purchased a Swiss Gear wheeled duffel bag from REI intended for transport of my kayaking and camping gear which I think would also be suitable for dive gear. A hard shell golf travel case works very well if you will be using air transportation. I use one for my folding skin on frame sea kayak and it has thus far prevented any damage despite the baggage apes best efforts.

I agree with Daguno and Kayaker, light as possible, don't fall for the flashy new gadgets, only buy what you have tested and is going to be used for sure. After 20 years diving I've collected tons of useless crap, but I only take with me the bare basics. A good bag will last for many years, avoid too many zippers, hooks and loops and no metal whatsoever as that rusts first.
For your future Pat I'd think in a cargo liner, you don't want your dripping gear creating ponds in the back of your new car.
Enjoy !!!

Do you have a Dick's (uh huh huh huh) Sporting Goods in the area?

That's where we went to get our gear for our trip to the Keys, complete with awesome totes, at amazing prices.

Good luck, be safe, and have fun!

P.S. Your bum knee won't give you any troubles on your dives, will it?

P.P.S. Don't fart in your wetsuit:
http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_jun2006/WetSuitFart.jpg

We've got lots of sporting stores around here. We've already bought our masks, fins, snorkles, gloves and boots. Also have the BCDs. Eventually, we'll have suits, regulators (etc) and tanks...so I'm looking for ideas for hauling all that stuff around. bearing in mind that I'm lazy and want to do as little lifting as possible. ;)

My knee shouldn't pose a problem in the water. I spent the day in a pool this weekend with all that gear on and it was no problem...the water makes it all weightless.

My knee shouldn't pose a problem in the water. I spent the day in a pool this weekend with all that gear on and it was no problem...the water makes it all weightless.

It's not the weight of the gear, but the actual swimming/moving about in the water that can be a pain ~ my right knee gives me grief and when we swim/snorkel, it really puts a strain on it...

P.S. Those sporting goods stores should have nice totes ~ ours even have multiple cargo pockets and such for keys, money, knives, etc.

But, of course, checking on "The Happy Place" (Ebay) is always a good idea too. :D

It's not the weight of the gear, but the actual swimming/moving about in the water that can be a pain ~ my right knee gives me grief and when we swim/snorkel, it really puts a strain on it...

No kiddin? Does the knee bother you while doing things on land too?
Actually, aqua therapy is one of the most popular ways of exercising the knee joints due to it's non-weight bearing properties.
Maybe you are weird after all! (j/k!)

No kiddin? Does the knee bother you while doing things on land too?
Actually, aqua therapy is one of the most popular ways of exercising the knee joints due to it's non-weight bearing properties.
Maybe you are weird after all! (j/k!)

Yeah, when I drive my knee really hurts... and there are some yoga/pilates poses that are uncomfortable.

When we swim, we really swim ~ and moving about coral reefs and such can be tricky business, especially when trying to manuever with big ol' flippers on my feet!

And for the record, I never claimed not to be weird... I wave my freak flag high! :p