The worst case scenario for an underwater
video- or photographer is a flooded housing,
camera, strobe, lens or else. Whilst still in
the water there is nothing do about it.
But be prepared when you come out!
After exiting the water immediately remove
any batteries in cameras, housings, strobes
and lights! Empty the unit of seawater
and rinse or even better submerge the
flooded piece in either clear alcohol like
vodka or distilled water and leave it there
until you are back at the center.
The alcohol will replace any seawater left in
the equipment and so prevent corrosion and
oxidation. If above liquids are not available
on the spot, submerge in mineral water and change to alcohol later, once you're back at
the center. Do not let flooded equipment dry!
Back at the center or hotel, try to get more
alcohol from the local pharmacies or from
a liquor shop. The clearer the alcohol, the
better. Even if it takes two, three bottles,
its still far cheaper than the equipment being
lost altogether.
Once well rinsed, let it slowly dry in a cool
place. Make sure the equipment is completely
dry before inserting batteries again or it
might short-circuit the electronics inside.
You might use compressed air very carefully
to blow out any remaining liquids from the
inside of your camera, flash, light or housing.
When the equipment is eventually dry, put
batteries back and try to operate the unit
to see whether it functions normally. If not,
remove batteries again and that's it for now.
Now you have two options available. Either you
pack the equipment away and have it repaired
by the manufacturer, once you're back home.
But that leaves you empty handed and your
diving holiday is spoiled for good.
The other option is contacting me here in Dahab.
I have repaired numerous cameras, housings, lights, lenses and the like of any brand over the
years and got them back to work again normally.
No false hopes though, a fried circuit is dead
and there is nothing to do about it. But after
examining the equipment in question I often
find only minor damage which can be repaired.
Often it is a single contact which does all the headache. Proper examination and thorough analysis is the only way to track such defects.
Once found, half the job is done already.