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Excerpts from Jeff Goodman’s Book Action Camera Underwater Video Basics, Part 4 of 6: Pre-Dive Equipment Checks
Sounds obvious, doesn’t it, but even the most experienced professional will occasionally forget to check for grit or sand in the O-ring as they race to get into the water to film something passing, such as a whale or turtle. Ninety-nine per cent of the time it’s okay, but at one point or another, that little bit of sand is going to let in water. Probably not much, but any water at all has the potential to get onto the lens or into the very delicate electronics. Video cameras and modern electronics have a horrible intolerance to water and salt. So without question, before the start of your diving day, have a routine of pre-dive checks and repeat them every time you open the housing.
Batteries
Did you put your camera and light batteries on charge, and are they at high enough capacity to last the duration of your diving? It is always a good idea to charge all batteries overnight, long before your dive. If any battery will not last a whole day, then carry at least one spare for that device.
Dirt
Is your lens clean and the inside of your port free from dust and hairs, etc.? To clean either, first gently blow away any visible debris. This is best done with a gentle squirt from a can of photographic compressed air. You can lightly blow with your mouth, but if you do, make sure it is free from any spittle. Next, gently wipe the surface with a good quality lens cloth, or a clean soft cotton hanky. Lastly, give the lens and port one more gentle squirt of air. If either is greasy, use a good quality lens cleaning liquid and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Ports are mostly made of plastic and will scratch easily if rubbed too hard.
Memory cards and hard drives
Whether you are using a memory card or your camera’s hard drive, make sure you have downloaded previous material onto a laptop or other storage device and that you have plenty of space for the next video session. Regular formatting of your card or drive is recommended over just deleting files, as this will make more space for new data to be written perfectly and will help stop card or drive corruption. Formatting is preferred over deletion, as your device will then overwrite old material as needed, rather than delete all of it straight away. So, in the event of losing your downloaded files, some of your older material may survive on your memory card.
It is also advisable not to use the same card for more than one device, as this can damage file structure and lead to storage media corruption. If this happens, the card or drive has to be replaced.
It is heartbreaking to go into the water with only a short amount of time left on your card because, as luck would have it, that will be the time a dolphin decides to come and play with you for an hour, or you find you are swimming with two mating turtles. In addition, should you have a leak, then not only will you lose your camera but also all the wonderful material you shot on your previous dives.
O-rings
O-rings are incredibly cheap compared to the overall cost of a camera. They are crucial to keeping the water out of your electronics and optics. Action cameras are pretty well foolproof against flooding. However, it does happen and this is usually down to operator error. If the camera is in a housing, make sure the O-rings are clean and free from sand or grit. A plastic guitar plectrum is the ideal tool for removing one, as it will not tear or damage it. Take the O-ring out and clean it gently between your fingers, also making sure the groove in which it sits is free of dirt. Blue paper cloth is useful for cleaning and is often available in dive centres and on dive boats.
Inspect the O-ring for any damage such as deterioration, cracks or nicks. Generally, if it is black, then it will need a small amount of silicone grease to lubricate it. Do not put on too much, as this will decrease the O-ring’s efficiency and may cause leaking. Just put a small amount of grease between your finger and thumb and then gently pull and roll the O-ring through to make sure of even coverage. When finished, it should have just a light sheen. This type of O-ring is mostly found on lights as well as more professional housings.
If the O-ring is orange, red or white, then the general rule is to not apply grease, as this may well deform it and cause a leak. Simply roll and slide it across your tongue to feel if there is any grit present, and at the same time your spit will be sufficient lubrication.
Before doing either of the above, make sure you read the manufacturer’s notes to see if the supplied O-ring needs lubrication or not.
Having re-seated the seal into the housing, close the port, making sure it pushes the O-ring firmly into place without trapping it. A pinched, twisted or trapped O-ring in the lid will let water into your housing.
Many action cameras are waterproof in their own right and so have no additional housing. For these cameras, there still may be a port to access the memory card and battery. Here the O-rings are usually flat and not removable. They also will not need lubrication, but do make sure they are clean and undamaged.
Whether your camera is old or new, it is important to have spare O-rings with you at all times. Action camera O-rings are very sturdy, but it is always possible for damage or loss to occur. Whatever camera I am using, I always make sure I have at least two spare O-rings on hand.
Make sure your housing is closed properly, that all the catches work easily and smoothly and are locked in place so they won’t be accidentally snagged and opened while underwater. If you feel some resistance to the catch closing, then it probably means the O-ring is not seated fully and is trapped and being pinched. Do not force it. Open the case and check all is clear.
NEXT WEEK:
Part 5 of 6 – Filming Techniques
Action Camera Underwater Video Basics by Jeff Goodman is available now from DIVEDUP Publications:
https://www.divedup.com/shop/action-camera-underwater-video-basics-the-essential-guide-to-making-underwater-films/
About Jeff Goodman
Jeff is a multiple award-winning freelance TV cameraman/filmmaker and author. Having made both terrestrial and marine films, it is the world’s oceans and their conservation that hold his passion, with over 10,000 dives in his career. Having filmed for international television companies around the world and as author of two books on underwater filming, Jeff is Author/Programme Specialist for the Underwater Action Camera course for the RAID training agency.
Jeff has experienced the rapid advances in technology for diving as well as camera equipment, and has also experienced much of our planet’s marine life. He has witnessed, first-hand, many of the changes that have occurred to the wildlife and environment during that time.
Jeff runs bespoke underwater video and editing workshops for the complete beginner up to the budding professional.
Far from the usual tourist trails, on a small island in the Northern Moluccas, lies a place of extraordinary beauty: Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort. Nestled between dense tropical jungle and a powdery white sand beach, the resort offers a peaceful escape immersed in nature at its purest. With panoramic views of the turquoise sea and direct access to some of Indonesia’s most untouched reefs, it’s a dream come true for those seeking tranquility above and adventure below the surface.
The resort features just 16 spacious beachfront bungalows, each only steps from the ocean. At its heart is a beautifully designed open-air restaurant, built entirely from natural materials, where guests can enjoy a diverse selection of Indonesian and international cuisine.
But what truly sets Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort apart is the underwater world that surrounds it. The reefs of the Northern Moluccas are among the most pristine and biodiverse in all of Indonesia – and remarkably, they remain largely untouched. Thanks to the remote location, dive boats are often the only ones around, giving divers the rare privilege of exploring vibrant coral gardens, dramatic walls, and colorful drop-offs in complete solitude.
Marine life here is nothing short of spectacular. Blacktip reef sharks are spotted on nearly every dive, while nutrient-rich walls attract sea turtles, schools of jacks, and bumphead parrotfish. For macro enthusiasts, the area is a treasure trove of rare and photogenic species, including pygmy seahorses, ghost pipefish, nudibranchs, frogfish, leaf scorpionfish, and several types of octopus and shrimp.
One of the region’s most extraordinary highlights is the Halmahera Walking Shark, a rare species endemic to this part of Indonesia. First described by scientists only in recent years, this small shark is unlike anything else in the ocean. Rather than swimming, it uses its muscular pectoral and pelvic fins to “walk” along the seabed. These elusive yet fascinating creatures are most often encountered on night dives – and witnessing one in the wild is a truly unforgettable experience.
The reefscapes surrounding Spice Island Resort are equally impressive. Flourishing hard coral formations spread across the seabed, interspersed with vivid sponges, large sea fans, and colorful soft corals. The biodiversity is astonishing, and the visual spectacle underwater is a dream for photographers. Most importantly, the reefs here are healthy—a rare treasure in today’s marine environment. With minimal tourism and careful management, the ecosystem remains intact, vibrant, and teeming with life.
Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort is more than just a dive destination – it’s a retreat for those seeking peace and a haven for underwater explorers looking to experience the authentic magic of Indonesia’s last true frontier.
Book your next diving adventure at Nabucco’s Spice Island Resort with Extra Divers!
Two weeks ago, during World Oceans Day weekend, over 200 divers from at least 15 different BSAC clubs descended on Cornwall to be part of the Kernow Dive Festival 2025. Ten RIBs and their skippers collectively carried out just shy of 300 boat dives over the weekend, with divers of all levels participating in the scheduled diving.
Not only was it fantastic to see the diving community come together to celebrate diving on World Oceans Day, but the weekend also raised funds for DDRC Healthcare Plymouth and hopefully increased awareness of their work.
The plight of UK chamber facilities has been in the spotlight recently due to the planned reduction in the number of hyperbaric chambers available to scuba divers in England.
With their number set to be cut from eight to just three, the pressure on the remaining chambers is a serious concern. Yet many divers starting out are unaware of the facilities available when things go wrong, or the ongoing research that takes place at these centres to make diving safer for everyone.
DDRC leads the field in dive medicine research, treating decompression illness and maintaining the national 24/7 helpline. Their work is essential for keeping all divers safe, and we’re proud to help raise awareness of their fantastic efforts.
Last year, the Kernow Dive Festival raised over £7,300 for DDRC Healthcare in Plymouth; this year, we’ve raised a phenomenal £8,550! This brings the total raised by the festival for DDRC to £69,760!
This is primarily thanks to the incredible support the event receives from the attending clubs, the diving industry, and local businesses, who contribute significantly to the raffle and auction fundraising activities on Saturday night.
The following businesses deserve a special mention, and we can’t thank them enough for their generosity. In no particular order:
North Coast Diving donated a full-day charter
O’Three Ltd donated a 50% drysuit voucher and a semi-dry
Kent Tooling Diving Products donated two of their reels
Seaways Diving and Suunto UK donated a Suunto Diving D6i Novo Zulu dive computer between them
Scubapro donated a pair of their Seawing Supernova fins
MARES – just add water donated three of their bags
Discovery Divers Plymouth Ltd donated a day’s diving for two divers
Seaways Diving and Engineer Aftercare Caravan, Campervan & Motorhome Warranty donated vouchers for cylinder testing and £100 off at Seaways
Liquid Sports donated a BigBlue 1300NP torch and some Sharkskin caps
Cressi donated a pair of their Origin fins
AP Diving donated an assortment of items, including flasks, dry bags, mugs and beanies
DDRC Healthcare donated a 40m chamber dive and facilities tour for up to 8 people
Dive Signs donated a selection of their Smart Emergency, MOD, and Gas Analysis sticker packs
Sharp’s Brewery donated a voucher for either a 5-litre mini cask of Doom Bar or an 8-pack of cans
Scuba Ry Divers donated a snorkel set
BSAC – British Sub-Aqua Club donated two digital SDC training packs
Porthkerris Divers donated T-shirts
Two local businesses also helped keep the divers warm and well-fed:
Penryn Joinery donated a van load of heating fuel briquettes to keep everyone warm on Saturday night, and Firewood Supplies Ltd near Penzance kindly donated several large bags of restaurant-grade charcoal for the Kernow Dive Festival BBQ.
We also need to give a big shout-out to local ghost gear recovery charity Fathoms Free, which supported the fundraising weekend with its recently refurbished RIB and experienced skipper, Jules!
Their RIB, Stingray, was the first boat out and the last boat in on both days. They said it was fantastic to support such a great cause and were pleased to help raise awareness and funds for DDRC, which provides a vital service to all divers in the region—including those who volunteer for the charity during ghost gear recoveries.
The BSAC South West Region clubs that played a major role in this year’s event included:
Bude Dive Club, whose members handled catering and, along with Peninsula Sub Aqua Club, ran the control room and slipway like a well-oiled military operation.
Peninsula Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), whose members oversaw much of the shotting of the dive sites and planned the weekend’s diving. They also have a small quiz team, known amongst other names as the Four Skin Divers, who attend Tricky’s at the Tolgus Inn every fortnight for quiz nights. Over the last 12 months, they collated all their winnings and donated £230 to the fundraising efforts!
Totnes Sub Aqua Club, whose members managed the finances and insurance and once again ran the record-breaking raffle!
A special thanks to Ponsandane Camping, who once again gave us VIP treatment, let us take over the site for the weekend, and provided secure boat storage for all attending clubs.
We’re also incredibly grateful to the team at Penzance Harbour for supporting the event year after year.
Huge thanks to everyone who helped organise the weekend, to the businesses and individuals who donated to the fundraising efforts, and to the 200+ people who took part!
It was truly a fantastic event. Despite the less-than-ideal weather, everyone had a great time—and a record amount of money was raised. Planning for next year is already underway!
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