If you’re about to embark on your first international diving trip, don’t overlook your digital setup. Physical items are important, but so are your documents, insurance, and data.
Sorting out your digital essentials before leaving will save you from avoidable problems abroad.
1. Prepare Your Dive Computer
Packing your dive computer isn’t enough. You need to check that it has enough memory and power before embarking on your trip. Before leaving, install the latest software updates (if any are available). Upload your existing dive logs to the cloud to free up as much memory as possible and fully charge your computer.
2. Download Security Features
Phone theft is still a major issue in the US and abroad. To safeguard your personal information, make sure you can find your phone remotely and erase the details stored in it. For example, you can remotely erase data using the Find My app or via iCloud Find Devices. You should also install a password manager to keep all your logins stored behind a master key or biometric lock.
Digital threats are another issue when traveling abroad. You may fall victim to phishing, fake Wi-Fi, or malicious QR codes. To prepare your phone for these scams, download malware and virus scanners. These detect, block, and remove malicious software. A VPN is another useful tool for international travel. VPNs encrypt your traffic, which makes public Wi-Fi safer. You can use the my location tool to check your IP-based virtual location and determine if your VPN is working.
3. Buy Cell Phone Data
Your standard cell phone data may not work in your destination country or your service provider may charge significantly for overseas usage. Once you step off the plane, you may need data for passport control. The border officer could ask to see your visa, hotel booking confirmations, and other travel documents. You’ll need data to access these details if you store them online or in an app. You could buy a local SIM, but you won’t be able to until you’re through passport control. So, you’ll need to organize an alternative digital solution.
If your smartphone supports eSIM, you can set it up and buy data before you travel. By doing so, you should have data ready as soon as you arrive. eSIM usage is growing throughout the world, with an estimated 1.2 billion devices using an eSIM in 2025. The popularity suggests that it could be the best option for your diving trip.
4. Prepare Your Phone
Your phone carries a lot of essential documentation and it is essential that you secure it before traveling. Start by ensuring your phone and apps are currently running on the latest software. Developers introduce software updates to patch security weaknesses, and forgetting to update could leave you vulnerable to attacks.
If you don’t have them already activated, switch on biometric and multi-factor authentication. Also, add strong passwords to your phone and sensitive apps such as banking and email.
5. Check Your Insurance Covers Diving
Regular travel insurance won’t cover you for scuba diving. Before leaving, check your policy’s digital documents to ensure you’re covered for the type of diving you plan on doing. Even if you’ve taken out a specialized insurance policy, it may not cover your trip. Check the fine print regarding diving depths, diving type, and location.
6. Download All Important Documents
Don’t assume that you’ll have internet access at all times. Even if you prepare cell phone data in advance, you can still find yourself with no connection. You should download all your relevant documentation in advance, so you can present it even if you don’t have Wi-Fi.
Key documents to download include:
- Offline copies of your passport
- Travel insurance policy
- Dive insurance information
- Certification cards
- Dive center bookings
- Accommodation confirmations
- Flight details
You should store offline copies of each somewhere accessible on your smartphone. Store encrypted versions in your cloud storage in case you lose or damage your phone.
Don’t Forget Your Digital Gear
When packing, it’s easy to focus only on your physical gear. However, you need to spend some time double-checking that you’re digitally prepared for your trip. Digital essentials help you stay connected, protect your personal information, access important documents, and deal with unexpected problems abroad.
Take a moment to look at this.
