Lighting the Depths: Ensuring Your Underwater Lights Make It through Airport Security

Hello everyone,

Do any of you own underwater lights?

Having them or not can make a significant difference. Not only for activities like night diving or cave exploration, but also when you’re trying to observe marine life!

Now, back in February of 2016, there was a piece of news that caught divers’ attention.

Starting April 1st that year, the Ban on Transporting Lithium-ion Batteries on Passenger Planes has been put in place. This decision was made due to concerns raised by airlines and pilots about the risk of fire accidents.

At first, when the ban came out, its very title could have confused more than one. Many may have thought that any lithium-ion batteries couldn’t be taken on airplanes anymore. Since a lot of the batteries in rechargeable underwater lights are lithium-ion batteries, you can imagine the dilemma for traveling divers.

However, this restriction applies to mobile batteries that are checked in as cargo. It doesn’t include the built-in batteries of smartphones or laptops that passengers and crew members bring on board as carry-on luggage.

That’s a relief, right?

Now, when carrying rechargeable underwater lights on airplanes, people will likely remove only the battery. They will then place it in their carry-on. Remember, the risk of Lithium-ion batteries catching fire is during the charging process.

Let’s take a moment to revisit the method for transporting underwater lights on planes. We will also use some major brands underwater lights as an illustration.

Take out the battery.

If removal isn’t possible, there’s a high chance it may not be accepted for either carry-on or checked baggage. (If the bulb can be removed, that’s acceptable.)

For lights powered by dry cell batteries, both carry-on and checked baggage are allowed.

For lights powered by lithium-ion batteries, only bring the battery into the cabin.

Make sure to confirm beforehand whether you can remove the battery.

While most of the light nowadays allow you to remove the battery, let’s make sure it is possible before purchasing one or preparing for a flight.

MARES

EOS 32LRZ/EOS 20LRZ/EOS 15LRZ/ EOS 10LRZ/ EOS 5LRZ/ EOS 10LRW/ EOS 10LR
⇒The battery can be removed.

TUSA

TUL-300J/TUL-400/TUL-410/TL0001
⇒Runs on dry cell batteries. Can be either both carryon or cargo.

SOLA Series
LMD1200N/PHOTO 1200/NIGHT SEA/
⇒Airplane Boarding Mode: You will need to remove the LED and put it in a dummy case.

Gobe Series
1000/500 SPOT/ 
⇒These models have an integrated battery, but the lens part can be removed.

AQUALUNG

SEAFLARE PACK/ SEAFLARE PRO/SEAFLARE LED/SEAFLARE MINI
⇒They have a removable battery.

SCUBA PRO

NOVA 1000/NOVA 1000R WIDE/NOVA 850 TEC/NOVA 250/NOVA 850R/NOVA 850R WIDE
⇒Removable Battery

RGBlue

SYSTEM01:re Super natural color/ YSTEM02:re Super natural color/ SYSTEM01:re Premium Color/ SYSTEM02:re Premium Color
⇒Integrated Lithium Batterie. You must check and confirm if it can be taken with carryon items.

UK

AQUALITE PRO2/AQUALITE MAX/AQUALITE MULTI REEF EXPLORER/LIGHT CANNON ELED (L1) RECHARGEABLE/C8 ELED RECHARGEABLE/C4 ELED RECHARGEABLE
⇒Removable Battery

LIGHT CANNON ELED/C8 ELED/C4 ELED
⇒Dry cell batteries / LR14 Disposable

INON

LE600h-S/LE330h/LF650h-N/LF1100h-EWf/LF2400h-EW/LF1000-S
⇒Dry cell batteries

To sum up:

Since you cannot remove the batterie of the integrated models, you will have to check with the airport security and the Airline company beforehand to make sure if you can still bring it with you as carry-on. As for the other types. you can simply take out the battery and keep it as carry on while placing the device as cargo.

Since the officer conducting carry-on inspections may not necessarily be familiar with these lights mentioned in this article, it’s a good idea to have proper explaining documents on hand for peace of mind! Make sure you have the most current information from the Light manufacturer, the airport security, and the Airline you’re flying with

Safe travels!