Most divers have a desire to bring home the sights and sounds of being underwater. Underwater video makes it possible to save our underwater experiences and share them with others. Shooting underwater video is fun, exciting, and easy to learn. The SDI Underwater Video Diver Course is designed to introduce divers to the equipment, techniques, and procedures needed to plan and shoot underwater video with maximum safety.
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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
How to take this course!
Sign up and receive your online code
Once you complete the online portion schedule the class, pool, or open water dives as required.
Course Cost:
$139.95 course fee & certification card once earned.Â
$180.00 Instructor Fee - Includes 2 classroom sessions (1 pre-dive and 1 post-dive for post-production training) and 2 open water dives (Tanks and Weights Included).
Dive count is the minimum required amount of dives to successfully complete the course. If additional dives are required they are $45.00 per dive and include tanks and weights.
Not included are Rental Equipment and Trip Costs. Trip costs include transportation, lodging, boat fees, park fees, food and beverage, etc.
