For Photographers
How do I prevent my underwater camera housing from flooding?
Flooding a camera housing is every underwater photographer's worst fear, and the prevention is methodical, boring, and absolutely non-negotiable. Inspect every o-ring before every dive, looking carefully for hair, sand grains, fabric fibers, or any visible nicks or compressions. Replace o-rings on the manufacturer's recommended schedule, usually every six to twelve months depending on usage intensity.
Apply a thin even film of manufacturer-approved silicone grease to every o-ring — too much grease attracts debris, and too little prevents proper sealing. Always perform a pre-dive vacuum test if your housing supports it, because a stable vacuum reading is the single most reliable confirmation of a watertight seal. Lower the empty housing into a shallow pool first as a final safety check before adding your camera and lens.
Rinse the entire housing in fresh water immediately after every saltwater dive, operating every button and control while submerged to flush salt out of moving parts. Store your housing with the main seal slightly open to prevent o-ring compression and extend its lifespan. Treat housing maintenance as a sacred ritual, because a single moment of inattention can destroy thousands of dollars of equipment.