54 replies to this topic

[finGrabber]

Now that's packing light!! More room for dive gear!!

Kim

[DandyDon]

I just finished reading an article in DAN's Alert Diver magazine about a diver on a liveaboard who gets an infection called Necrotizing Fasciitis also known as "flesh-eating disease".  He got the infection when he bumped his ankle and caused a minor laceration over the bone.

I'll read the article, to be sure, but I think this is similar to what I was talking about in my thread: "Vibrio much more dangerous than Sharks"

http://www.singlediv...?showtopic=1593

The reason I won't wear a Shorty suit, and one of the reasons I won't go barefoot on a boat, even though Windjammer and many other liveaboard suggest it.

They don't want you wearing shoes, as some will scratch their deck and/or make you fall on wet floors, but various types of deck shoes are safe.

Edited by DandyDon, 12 August 2004 - 06:07 PM.

[Sophia]

Ok, I'm confused on the shoe issue.

Barefeet=Bad. Might get scratched/infected or fungus
Flipflops=Bad. Might slip off foot and cause tripping.
DiveBooties=Bad. Feet stay wet=Bad
Shoes=Bad. Crew won't allow

I can understand all this.

Can't ask the boat company, because they will say what is good for the boat, i.e. barefeet.

So, the option is .... Socks? No, that won't work, no traction.

OK maybe, I'll dry my feet after diving, put thick socks on, then new, dry dive booties.

That does remind me that all that saltwater will mean several showers a day. Must pack extra soap/shampoo/conditioner.

On the flesh-eating issue - just don't tell my mother. My parents are convinced I will die every time I leave the country. Just another thing to worry about.

[WileEDiver]

I've seen a lot of people lately wearing Crocs--ugly as sin but they seem to be popular. Check 'em out.

[Sophia]

They seem cool, but I won't buy them without trying them on first.

[RichardB]

As for shoes, I still like Dock-Siders. I have an old pair of the canvas ones that I use on my boat. They're great...dry relatively quickly (overnight or a couple hours in the sun) and are safe on the boat deck (no skid marks) and are an easy slip on/off.

Edited by RichardB, 13 August 2004 - 09:30 AM.

[DandyDon]

This is only one answer, and maybe not the best answer, but -for $6 I use the "beach shoes" from Walmart. Instant drying, non-slip, protection. They're not quality, but they're okay-good. My grandson wore his on the plane tirp home last month. {On the beach, I use flip-flops.}

Now, some of them have different insoles, that fold up and come out too easily. For those, I used "Shoe Goo," in the same Walmart dept, for $4, to glue the insoles down on some I bought for my family. Also handy for some wetsuit repairs, flip flop repair, gluing 2 CDs togehter to make a mirror signaling device, etc.

Hope that's some help...? don

[mvillanueva]

No, what I do is take planty of batteries, then recharge them at home. I just carry the used battieries back home. I usually carry a power strip, because I am an electrics junkie, but I won't have my phone, PDA, or laptop. I do need to buy a giant card for my camera. Since I will be taking my first underwater photos with my new Oly5060.

What will I do without my laptop? Maybe it will be good for me.

A piece of unsolicited and likely uneeded advice: Put your 5060 in its housing and practice pushing the sequence of buttons that set the white balance till you can do it with two hands, then practice doing it one handedly. Based on my recent experience, I truly believe that is a worthwhile skill.

Specifically, why take Woolite? is there something special about that cleanser?

Michael

[mvillanueva]

They seem cool, but I won't buy them without trying them on first.

I tried on Crocs while on Kona -- and only on the insistence of my kid. They are the most amazing shoes I have ever tried. Period. For what we do, they are as close to slice bread and indoor plumbing as can be.

[WileEDiver]

I tried on Crocs while on Kona...

That's where I saw them, too. Must be a Big Island fashion statement.

[Sophia]

Woolite. I frequently carry it because it is easy to wash stuff in the sink. Lots of times, I don't have access to a washer. Plus, I always seem to get stuff on the front of my shirts. There's nothing particularly special about it, it's just better than Cheer.

Shoes. Y'll have me really interested in those Croc shoes. I have a high instep, and those shoes look like they could really hurt if they pinched. For this trip, I think I will go with the Walmart shoes, but I will really keep my eyes out for those crocs.

Camera. I will do that as soon as the underwater housing comes. It was back-ordered and shipped yesterday. I can't wait.

[chinacat46]

I'll vote for Crocs also. I've got a pair and wear them to work everyday. Very comfortable, lightweight and originally made for boats.CROCS

[Divegirl412]

Great info on this thread. Food for thought since I hope to do a liveaboard some time in the near future. ANd those crocs do look cool. Thanks guys.

DG

[CaptSaaz]

I've sailed on some of the bigger sailing vessels in the caribbean and flip flops are a big NO-NO. They are too easy to slip out of and fall on a rolling or pitching deck. Sandles, or better yet, Teva's work great. They let your feet dry, give you some toe protection and secure in the heel. just make sure you put suntan lotion on the top of your feet tho.

Have a great trip!

[DandyDon]

A third item to suggest from Walmart: A cheap 3-pack of nylon socks. Like Diveskins for feet. I started using them with my full-foot/slip-on fins, but leave them on in my booties, then my beach shoes. Dry quicly enough in the air flow shoes, and protect the ankels from sun and some abrasions - from the boat ladder or the boat itself.

Scubagirl1966 probably lost interest in this thread long ago, but I do want to say that she can go barefoot more safely than I can 'cause she has lots more experience on boats than I do. Her advise is not wrong; it's just different than my practices.