Expensive Electronics in Underwater Housings- What you should know!

There is this strong desire to take our phones, tablets, and GoPros underwater, so underwater housings have been developed for these devices.  What most people new to diving do not realize is it takes just one sand grain, hair, or piece of heavy lint to compromise an o-ring housing seal. Salt water seeping into the housing will quickly destroy it permanently.  Salt water water is good conductor of electricity and highly corrosive to sensitive electronics.

So if you chose to house something in an underwater housing, understand that it may be destroyed and plan accordingly.

If you do choose to take your device underwater, make sure the housing is specifically designed for scuba diving, not just "waterproof" like a LifeProof phone case for example.  Cases designed to protect your device from water in an accident are not the same as one designed for continuous underwater use at 2-5 atmospheres of pressure.  Also understand that the deeper the depth rating the sturdier the device.  If it is rated to only 60 feet then it really isn't suitable for scuba diving, but perhaps will work for surface snorkeling just fine.  If you use a GoPro, purchase the "Dive Housing" not just the one that comes standard with the camera, and replace it regularly with a new one. The GoPro brand dive housing is rated to 60 meters/200feet for example, whereas the standard housing is only rated to 40 meters/130 feet.

Whatever you decide, carefully check the o-ring or other sealing surface for debris in bright light and with a pair of reading glasses or magnifier if needed.  Wipe the seal and mating surface every time with a clean lint free cloth, designed for camera lens cleaning. Use silicone lubricant on o-rings if recommended by the housing manufacturer, but also understand this can cause hair or sand to stick to the o-rings!  Read and follow all instructions given by the manufacturer. Check the seal again after clamping the housing if it is clear plastic.  Use desiccants inside the housing to avoid fogging and keep the device dry, but be sure you do not accidentally pinch the desiccant in the o-ring seal which is a common cause of housing failures.

Make sure you soak your housing thoroughly in fresh water after every use to prevent corrosion to the buttons and eventual leakage.  

Underwater photography/videography is easier than ever before, but take a speciality class, read books, and blogs, and consult a professional for best results. Use quality equipment and good lighting of 2000 lumens minimum even in daylight. Underwater photography is a dangerous distraction for new divers.  Be sure you have perfect buoyancy control, situational awareness, and trim before adding the additional task load of photography to your diving, or it could harm you and marine life!