Final Cut
Ten Important Topside Steps for Video Divers
BY JILL HEINERTH
Take care when packing. You never know what you’re going to encounter on your travels!
MOST OF US AGREE that good diving procedures help keep divers safe. Following protocols can also safeguard your camera gear, while increasing the likelihood that you will return with great shots. If you follow these steps each time you plan a video dive, you’ll protect your investment, while bringing home memorable underwater video assets...
Pack with Care: It may not be possible to carry your camera and housing in carry-on baggage. Luggage weight limits are increasingly constraining, and sturdy Pelican style cases are simply too heavy. An alternative to consider is placing a plastic bin such as a Rubbbermaid tote inside your large dive pack or duffle bag. Carefully pack your components in the bin with proper air-filled or styrofoam packing materials. Resist the urge to simply wrap sensitive gear in your wetsuit. When
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airline inspectors pull the wetsuit out of the bag, your camera may fly across the room. If you wrap with foam or bubble wrap, tape and label each item and consider placing a letter or packing slip that describes all items in the top of the luggage. Bring extra tape for the trip home. You may also want to take a photo of your gear sitting on the tote before it is packed. Print the photo, and place it on top of everything inside the tote. The objective is to make it as easy as possible for inspectors to understand what you have wrapped inside your bag.
Set Yourself Up for Success:
Assemble your camera and housing and seal it in a cool, dry,
Rubbermaid totes can be used inside
of duffel bags to create a
cheaper, and
more lightweight travel solution than a hardcase
well-lit area. This will minimize the moisture inside the housing and reduce the likelihood that you will trap something like a desiccant pack in the housing door. Assembly on a hot humid boat may lead to condensation or fogging. If your housing is equipped with a vacuum pump, check the seal and always carry extra batteries for the leak detector. Double check any locking latches or port locks to ensure they are secure.
Test All Functions: After preparing your camera, test the record function. Verify the camera settings,
Photos: Jill Heinerth
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