So, I'm thinking about the issue of soaking my camera housing after a dive. It's a DSLR housing and two strobes, so it takes up a fair amount of space.

I was thinking about buying a camp sink, like this:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___60602?CS_003=2477120&CS_010=60602WC

And a folding water bladder to hold the water before the dive:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80820

Are those going to go walking on their own while we're diving, if they're in the back of the pickup?

- Gus

I dived with photographers who have left huge plastic tubs in the back of the truck filled with water. I have never seen those walk. However, the second you think it won't, it will. So just don't become too married to them and if they walk you won't be upset.

How's that for a non-answer answer?

If you go to Kooyman (our local Wallmart of sorts) you can buy cement tubs and other plastic tubs. I use them for my dive gear but you can obviously also fill one with water and put it in the back of your truck bed. My empty tub has never been stolen so I can not imagine one full of water (much harder to steal) will disappear. And if it does it is something like a $12 loss which should not be a major issue.

Alternatively bring a bunch of half gallon coke bottles (buy them at the supermarket and drink the coke or alternatively I'd be happy to 'donate' you as much empty bottles as you need) and poor fresh water of your camera gear after each dive.

Good luck!!!

Bas.

I've been using this, the past 3 trips: http://www.polarbearcoolers.com/ . I'll leave it zipped up full of water in the back of the truck. Anyone going for it would be startled at the weight if they were to attempt lift it. So far so good... also a good feature about it is the fact that once I put the rig in there, I can zip it up. While I motor to the next site or back home it gets a good rinse by sloshing around.

Buying a bucket on Bonaire was another thought, I just wasn't sure what was available and how suitable it was. You use the dry tubs to keep your gear organized I gather? So it doesn't slide around in the pickup bed? I assume that taking along dive bags is a bad idea.

Something with a lid would be nice. The polar bear cooler seems pricey - and thus more likely to go walking, if they think to dump the water. But I don't really know what they're looking for. Come to think of it, do the plastic tubs at Kooyman have lids?

- Gus

Gus, the trucks have wooden racks in the back, and 4 tanks fit in the first layer. Your dive gear is toward the rear, and dosen't bounce around unless you drive down a bad road fast. Bottled water for a rince is OK, but you don't need anything for your gear. I guess to each their own. If the bad guys see a empty truck, they go to the next one... Ron

Just to be perfectly clear, it's soaking the camera housing and strobes that concerns me, not my general dive gear. Unlike regulators, etc., camera housings are sensitive to the formation of salt crystals. They're abrasive, and can destroy O-rings over time. Ignoring proper maintenance is a good way to invite a flooded housing.

- Gus

Gus, your regs, bcd, and any underwater lights have the same problem with salt crystals that your camera/strobes do. Rinse them as well, if you can, or keep them wet until you can. Anything with o-rings is a target for salt crystals.

I knew I'd probably put my foot in my mouth after I finished typing that. Obviously it doesn't matter what has the O-ring, the issues are the same. I was mostly thinking of the relative care I usually see for gear. I.e. on every dive boat I've been on, you get a fresh-water shower on leaving the water, but the cameras get a proper soak, not just a rinse. Generally the rest of the gear doesn't get a real soak until the trip is over.

- Gus

gus, the tubs at kooyman don't have lids (btw, tubs are also available at playa trading). we've been taking a tub with us for years to carry our gear and never had it bothered. they have different sizes so you should be able to find one to fit your needs.

Gus, I think the relative care you mention is directly correlated with the cost of repairs/replacements due to a failed o-ring. Not high for one on a BCD, for example, but very high for most housed-camera setups. So the whole thing is classic risk management: rinse the camera/strobe really well; rinse the lights/regs moderately; rinse the BCD a bit; just rinse the wetsuit enough to keep the smell down....

We've used a zippered collapsible cooler and a regular cooler that we brought food in, filled halfway up with fresh water on our last two trips. We drop our cameras, our 2nd stages, and computers in the fresh water between dives. It works great! ...really keeps the regs from getting "crusty" in between dives in the heat, and keeps the cameras clean and fresh.

We've never had an issue with theft, though the advice to use something that you don't care if it gets stolen is good. A simple plastic container purchased in Bonaire is great.

We use large empty coke bottles to keep hydrated between dives - works great!

And spilling water hasn't been an issue since we only fill the coolers half way or so.

Pat, Kooyman also has square blue plastic tubs that do have lids. The round black ones don't.

right, thanks bas, it's the black ones that i was thinking of...that's what we use. i forgot about the ones with lids.

This something I am going to try next month for cameras:

http://www.seattlesportsco.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=110&idcategory=13

They are available in 3 or 4 sizes from a number of retailers and cost around $10.00-$12.00. I figure I will fill them with water and leave them in the back of the truck or perhaps on the floor of the back seat since they seal up fairly well.

I am thinking of writing something like "this was stolen from....." on them with a sharpie to make them look less appealing, or maybe stick some duct tape on them or draw some pictures or something.

If they go away, no big loss.

The plastic tubs sound like a good idea for other gear, but we carry 4-8 tanks and 4 sets of gear around most of the time, so I don't think there would be room.

I left a watch and waterproof container in the truck all week long in plain view and never had a problem. The watch got flooded on my first dive so I wasnt worried if it got stolen but it was never touched. I also left a hat, flip flops, and sunglasses in my truck as well with no problems during dives. I dont think a water tub would be a issue.

Jason