The correct "dismount" procedure

[Spike Jackson]

Claire and I are off to South Africa for 2 weeks and taking our "new" (to us at least) Sea and Sea MX10 for a few dives on Protea Banks.

The diving will be off ribs and the normal SOP is backward roll negatively bouyant and instantly fin like a bastard for the depths due to the currents normally found there.

Now, everyone I've seen diving with a camera usually has the camera handed to them once they've left the rib, I assume to avoid damaging it/dislodging the o-ring. Is this improtant or would cradling it to yourself be sufficient?

PS any other tips using the thing would also be useful. We'd planned on doing a day at Wraysbury figuring it out but time did not allow.

[PW1664]

If you loosley cradle the Camera with your arms and do a backward role the camera should be adequatly protected; your back takes the hit and yor body protects.

Just remember to take the squeeze off your ears and adequatly control your decent (even if it's a fast decent).... might sound obvious, but if your worried about your new camera and trying to drop quickly before you know it you don't have enough hand to equalise ears and add air to stab!

Check out our cub trip pics from Protea along with the trip report on http://www.cadsac.co.uk/southAfricaAug2002.htm

[Spike Jackson]

Thanks for the advice. This will be our third trip to Protea but the first time with a camera. Here's hoping the Tiger shark shows up again!

[Pigpen]

Spike
The damage potential is one issue, but also the sudden change in pressure can cause water to be 'forced' into the o rings and therefore exposing any slight distortion. I did take mine in with me for ages, and had no problem, but it is a risk.
Geoff

[Finless]

I have an MX10 + sidemounted strobe and not had any problems doing 'RIB entries' - I shouldn't worry about it (that's what the insurers have to do).

[Spike Jackson]

Originally Posted by PW1664

If you loosley cradle the Camera with your arms and do a backward role the camera should be adequatly protected; your back takes the hit and yor body protects.

Just remember to take the squeeze off your ears and adequatly control your decent (even if it's a fast decent).... might sound obvious, but if your worried about your new camera and trying to drop quickly before you know it you don't have enough hand to equalise ears and add air to stab!

Check out our cub trip pics from Protea along with the trip report on http://www.cadsac.co.uk/southAfricaAug2002.htm

Great trip report!

Ps also hoping to catch a day at Wanderers watching the fourth test! Cricket, beer, sun and some diving

[Andy Phillips]

Spike me old fruit, how ya doin?

Get one of those nasty springy things that clip together, roll in backwards giving your camera a pleasent cuddle, fin like hell, equalise and clip it back together at the same time.

Sounds like an arse, but it falls into place after a while. If you havent got lights on it, then to be honest just have a hand on it as you roll backwards to stop it getting caught on the rope on the rib is enough. There pretty sturdy as long as you look after the seal. I did some terrible things to mine, mind you it flooded in the end due to a hair through the O'ring.

Andrew

[Finless]

Oh, in case you are thinking of doing anything a bit deep - the instructor/tour guide at a place in Tenerife had the back of his MX10 (or a look alike) implode at about 55 mtrs.

They regularly did 40+ mtrs dives the week I was there so I guess it had been weakened a bit over time?

[Scuba1]

Oly PT14 rated to 40 went to 64 and it still lives....... mind yo i did leave the camera top side for that test.


Michael

[BJ]

Other people handling your camera for you can often inadvertently move switches (like the auto-focus to off). I put my camera rig into the water and without letting go of it I follow it in head-first. Not text-book but never suffered a flood this way. From boats with a high free-board it does look like I've fallen in the water while rinsing my camera. Then again if I wanted to be elegant I'd concentrate on skiing as an activity.