Who this course is for:

• The certified diver looking for more information to maximum the use of underwater video for scuba diving and to bring back memories to share with others about their experiences

Course prerequisites:

• SDI Open Water Scuba Diver, SDI Junior Open Water Diver, or equivalent
• Minimum age 18, 10 with parental consent

What you can expect to learn:

The SDI Underwater Video Diver course takes an in-depth look at all of the following and more:

• Video Equipment
  • Video systems
  • Types of video formats
  • Video cameras
  • Video controls
  • Accessories
• Underwater Video Housings
  • Types of housings
  • Housing controls
  • Features and benefits
  • Selecting housing
• Recording Underwater
  • Dive planning
  • Setting the video and dive objective
  • Creating a storyboard
  • Safety concerns
• Pre-dive Equipment Assembly
  • Setting the camera controls
  • Assembling the system
  • Checking for leaks
• Video Camera Handling Techniques
  • Using the viewfinder
  • Point and shoot
  • Using a tripod
• Basic Techniques
  • Shot selection
  • Shot times
  • Putting shots in sequence
  • Approaching marine life
  • Cutting video shots
  • Surface water shots
  • Above water shots
• Underwater Video Lighting
  • Natural light
  • Artificial light
  • Light systems and power supplies
  • Lights and filters
• Shooting Video at Night
  • Safety concerns
  • Entries and exits
  • Operating the camcorder and housing controls
  • Approaching marine life at night
• Editing
  • Fundamentals of editing
  • Required equipment
  • Editing equipment configurations
  • Editing techniques
  • In-camera editing
• Care and Maintenance
  • After each dive
  • Regular maintenance
  • Periodic maintenance
  • Storing underwater video systems
  • Caring for a flooded video camera/housing
• Traveling with Underwater Equipment
  • Deciding what equipment to bring
  • Packing the equipment
  • Bringing underwater video equipment on boats
  • Flying with underwater video equipment
  • Renting equipment

Some of the required skills you will have to demonstrate include:

• Plan dive
• Set the video objective
• Plan the sequence of shots
• Review of procedures
• Entry
• Diving procedures
• Exit
• Log dive dives
• Care of equipment
• Edit footage to follow story

What’s in it for you?

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates may engage in diving activities without direct supervision of the SDI Instructor* so long as the following limits are adhered to:

• The diving activities approximate those of training
• The areas of activities approximate those of training
• Environmental conditions approximate those of training

*Note: Junior divers (ages 10-14) must participate in diving activities with a parent, guardian, or dive professional.

Also, the SDI Underwater Video Diver certification counts towards a single specialty rating to achieve the SDI Advanced Diver Development Program.

SDI Underwater Video Diver minimum requirements:

• Complete all open water requirements efficiently
• Demonstrate mature and sound judgment concerning dive planning and execution