1. Remove the o-rings.
2. Clean and check the o-rings. If the o-rings are damaged they should be replaced. Remember the cost of replacing an o-ring is cheaper than replacing a camera.
3. Lubricate the o-ring with silicone grease.
4. Clean the o-ring grooves in the casing. Make sure they are clean because even a single hair can cause a leak.
5. Place the o-rings back in the casing grooves.
6. Put a fresh or fully charged battery in your camera. Remember when underwater it?s not possible to change the battery. If using disposable batteries use alkaline batteries because non-alkaline don?t hold up well to the power demands of underwater photography.
7. Insert your film or memory card.
8. Seal the camera, making sure you don?t pinch the o-rings.
9. Check if your camera is working and that the case is sealed correctly.
10. If your camera requires a weight you can attach it now.
11. Set your camera exposure. For novice underwater photographer auto exposure is recommended.
12. Set the focus. For a novice auto focus is recommended. Manual focus underwater takes both camera skill and good buoyancy. A point to remember is that everything looks closer than it really is underwater so set estimated focus for the apparent distance – not the real distance, because the camera sees it like you do.
13. Ensure that you have a wrist cord or strap attached to your camera so that you won?t loose it while diving.

1. Proper focus is the first step to a sharp image.

2. Try to hold the camera as steady as possible, exhaling steadily and gently as you squeeze the shutter button. Don’t hold your breath.

3. Generally with most cameras your picture will blur if you try to take snaps with low light using auto focus. For advice on taking picture in low light conditions underwater with no flash or strobe refer to your camera’s manufacturers’ instructions.

4. The best colour results can be achieved by not exceeding a depth of 10 meters/30 feet. If you do not have a proper underwater flash or strobe system then you should not be any further away from your subject than half a meter/5 feet.

5. The easiest way for you to make your subject stands out clearly in an underwater photograph is to be slightly lower than your subject so that your camera is shooting at an upward angle.

6. Straight after taking each picture take a look around and ensure you know where your buddy is and that they are ok. Remember that your buddy is your lifeline and you are theirs. So ensure that your photography dive is one to remember as a happy memory and not a tragedy that you could have easily prevented.

Note: Remember to take care of the environment around you and don’t bang into sensitive reefs or kick up clouds of silt. In some places underwater photographers have a bad reputation because they let photography get in the way of protecting the very world they’re photographing.

1. Straight after your dive wash everything in cold fresh water.
2. Leave the camera equipment in a bucket of fresh water for at least 60 seconds to remove all the salt water.
3. Do not open the camera case until the equipment is fully dried off.
4. If you cannot wash your camera equipment immediately after the dive with fresh water, keep it wet until you can. Don’t let it dry because once the salt crystallises it is very difficult to remove it and it can cause long term damage to your equipment. If it’s a long trip back to shore and you have no fresh water, use salt water to keep the camera equipment wet until you have access to fresh water.
5. At the end of the day when you have completed all your diving, its a very good idea to leave your camera underwater case in a bucket of fresh water for more than 30 minutes to fully dissolve any salt and minerals. Once you are finish soaking the equipment you should dry it with a towel.