Openwater Checkout Dives & Camera

[Heffey]

I am interested in everyone’s thoughts on taking a small underwater camera with me on my openwater checkout dives.
The camera can be clipped to my BC and does not have an external strobe so it really is quite small.
I just wanted to get a few snapshots.
Do you think it would be too much of a hassle for my first dives?
Thanks

 

[Rookie_J]

probably best to ask your instructor, he may have a "no camera policy".

it also depends how comfortable you are during open water. having a camera along is another thing to worry about while you're figuring out all the new SCUBA gear.

when i did mine we went down, completed skills, then swam around looking at all the cool stuff... i was very comfortable during my dives, so i snapped a few pictures (and chuckled that my instructor chased "experienced" yo-yo impersonaters.

 

[H2Andy]

hey heffey... the task overload may get to you at some point in the dive.

why not hand the camera to the instructor to begin with, and asking them to
take a few pics of you?

you'll have plenty of time to work on task loading later!

 

[Detonate]

If it's a small enough, I doubt the instructor who have a problem with it.

Maybe give it to him during skills, and if he is comfortable enough with your experience, give it back to you while touring.

 

[jbd]

I wouldn't mind someone taking a small camera during the checkout dives but I already know their level of bouyancy control as well what level they are at with task loading. I would prefer though that they not take pictures of others who are performing skills as this may be distracting. I do think its a good idea for them to take pictures during the tour. UW photography makes for good buoyancy control practice

 

[BDub]

I wouldn't have a problem with it on the tour on the last couple of dives if the student is showing good buoyancy control. On the dives where many skills are being done I think it's too much of a distraction. I'll have them give me the camera during the skills portion, then if they are exhbiting good buoyancy control I'll let them take pictures during the tour portion.

The biggest issue I usually find is that the buddy contact is one of the first things to suffer. If the diver gets too focused on the photography and I have to remind him more than once or twice to stay close to his buddy, I'll have him give the camera back to me and have him concentrate on his buddy skills.

 

[immersed]

I took underwater 'throwaway' cameras on my checkout dives. I was in a pretty big class, so we spent a lot of time kneeling on the bottom waiting our respective turns. I was very comfortable underwater and the only task I had was remembering to breathe.

It never occurred to me to clear it with the instructor, but I suppose that would be the courteous thing to do. If it's ok, definitely take it with - if you end up with too much else on your plate you can just leave it clipped to the bc.

 

[MissyP]

why not hand the camera to the instructor to begin with, and asking them to
take a few pics of you?

hehe, I turned my instructor into a photographer on my 1st OW dive.. He understood that it was a memorable event for me, so he didn't mind snapping a few shots. :satisfied

 

[Heffey]

Thanks for all of the input.
I certainly will talk to my instructor about it.
I also think that waiting until the last dive or two makes a lot of sense.
Thanks again

 

[No Fish]

hey heffey... the task overload may get to you at some point in the dive.

why not hand the camera to the instructor to begin with, and asking them to
take a few pics of you?

you'll have plenty of time to work on task loading later!

I think that this is the best advice so far.

If it were me, I would not let you have the camera until you finished. I would carry it for you and get a few shots of you. This way you will enjoy yourself more and not have to worry about busting up or dealing with that camera. It is hard to take pictures of yourself anyway. (although I do it). You will have plenty to do anyway and plenty more dives to take photos. Don't rush it.

have fun.