Packing for QUEST
Students will be in the field for the entire two weeks of the field school, sleeping in tents near the beach. The site has potable running water, bathrooms, outdoor showers (group and private), and limited solar or generator electricity. There is no Wi-Fi available. Students should pack light, but thoroughly. MOP will provide tents, chairs, cooking equipment and dishes, and other campsite and class essentials. Everything else that is required is listed below.
Pro Tip: Label all personal gear, as there are many people sharing a small space, and much of the dive equipment, laptop and phone chargers, etc. will look the same.
Dive Equipment
- Equipment Bag
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Open-Heel Fins (aka Heel-Strap Fins)
- Booties (felt sole required)
- Gloves
- Buoyancy Compensator (BC)
- Regulator w/ Alternate Air Source (Octo) and SPG (Submersible Pressure Gauge)
- Dive Computer (or Dive Watch w/ Analog Depth Gauge)
- Compass
- Weight Belt or BC Weight Pockets
- Weights
- Cutting Device (knife or shears)
- Full Wetsuit (no "shortie" style wetsuits)
Optional Dive-Related Items
- Hanger(s) for Wetsuit
- Spare Mask Strap
- Spare Alternate Air Source (Octo) Holder
- Spare Snorkel Keeper
- Spare Regulator Mouthpiece and Zip Tie
- Spare Fin Strap/Buckle (if not using spring straps)
- Spare Dive Computer/Watch Battery
- Spare Weight Belt Buckle (if using weight belt)
- Mask Defog
- 2-3 mm Neoprene Hooded Vest (for additional warmth)
- Rash Guard
- Bootie Liner Socks
Please do not use rigid containers like Action Packers for dive gear as these can be difficult to pack into vehicles in large quantities. Use soft canvas or mesh bags or something similar.
Clothing
- Bathing suits
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Long pants
- Sweatshirt
- Rain Jacket
- Sunglasses
- Hat
Housing/Camping Supplies
- Sleeping Bag
- Sheet (for warm nights)
- Pillow
- Sleeping Pad or Air Mattress
- Bath Towel
- Washcloth
- Headlamp/Flashlight and Extra Batteries
Required Documents
- Identification (Driver's License or other)
- Health Insurance Card
- DAN Card
- SCUBA Certification Card
Classroom Supplies
- Laptop Computer
- Notebook Paper
- Pens and Pencils
- USB Flash Drive
Personal Items
- Toothbrush/Toothpaste
- Soap/Shampoo
- Beach Towels
- Sunscreen
- Medications
- Water Bottle
- Travel or regular mug for coffee/tea
Other Optional Items
- Fish and Invertebrate ID Books
- Calculator
- Vitamins
- Bug Repellent
- Spending Money
- Nice Clothes for Symposium
- Favorite Snack to Share