including the ISO and quality setting. Verify that the camera will focus. Ensure all critical knobs and buttons are fully functioning. If you fail to check these things, there will come a day when you get underwater and discover the lens cap is still on or the ON/OFF control is jammed.


Be Patient: If you discover that something is not working, take your time to fi x the problem and start your


preparation from the beginning again. Many fl oods occur when someone hastily opens a housing to fl ip a switch or re-position a lever. Inspect everything carefully, reseal the housing, and recheck all functions before submerging.


Pre Set for Descent: Dial in the camera settings that you think will be useful for descent. Make sure the


camera is on and ready to shoot in case you have a remarkable underwater encounter right at the beginning of the dive. Sometimes it is being in the right place at the right time, prepared to capture the unexpected events, that leads to award-winning shots!


Be Gentle to Your Camera: Always have your rig handed to you by the surface crew, when you are already


in the water. Never jump in with your camera in hand. The most likely place for a fl ood is on the surface when things can easily be dislodged. If there are no personnel available to pass you a camera, then hang your camera off your own gear line and retrieve it when you descend.


Bring Your Own Bucket: Think twice before using the boat’s rinse bucket. There are many hazards fl oating


in their bucket. Divers who rinse their masks in the camera bucket may be contaminating it with defog and other chemicals as well as sunscreen from their hands. When your camera bounces around with others in the common bin, it is also likely to get damaged. The port can get scratched or the housing fl ooded as the boat lurches in the


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waves. Bring your own collapsible cooler or plastic bin (like the one described in packing above). If fresh water is not available, then bring a wet towel to protect your camera between dives. A lightweight camping towel will take up very little space in your luggage. A product such as Salt-X can be sprayed on the housing to prevent salts from drying and sticking to the housing.


Protect from the Sun: In order to prevent fogging, never let your underwater housing sit in the sun either before


or between dives. Drape a wet towel over the camera housing. Compact cameras and Go-Pros are the most susceptible to fogging, so don’t leave them lying in the sun on the deck.


Train the Crew: When you exit the water, train the crew to replace your dome port cover as soon as possible


to avoid scratches. Even a minor blemish on a GoPro lens can look


“Be prepared” isn’t just the


Scout mantra, it’s applicable if you’re an underwater videographer


The best piece


of advice before your dive - take


your time. Make a checklist,


follow it closely


and be prepared for the inevitable problem


like the Grand Canyon in your shot. Let the crew know precisely where you want your camera placed until you are able to attend to it. Don’t let them put it on a bench where it might fall. Avoid the boat rinse bucket and attend to your gear yourself as soon as you have removed your own equipment.


Be Prepared: Bring the


necessary items onboard to take care of yourself.


This kit can include: your own bucket or collapsible cooler, a wet towel to drape over the camera, a dry towel in case you need to open the housing, a second dry towel for your head in case you need to open the housing and want to prevent dripping in to the housing, a vacuum pump to open/ close the housing, screwdrivers or Allen keys to tighten ball mounts and handles, Salt-X, port cover, lens cleaning tissue, O-ring lube, spare parts, spare batteries for the camera and leak detector, and spare memory cards in a waterproof card wallet.


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