what to use on UW camera/housing to keep it afloat?

[s.s.seafan]

thanks for your replies. I think I'll get a lanyard as suggested.

 

[vladimir]

There are some strong opinions on this subject, I see. I know a woman who lost her $10000 video camera at Truk because it did not float. I know a guy who lost his G9 rig at Moalboal because it did not float. Yeah, they should have had lanyards on the gear, but I think it was a case of "I thought you had it, what happened to it?" Things get crazy when you are entering or leaving the water sometimes, and that's when it usually happens. So, I have a lanyard, and my rigs are all positive slightly. That's me, do what you like, but I don't want my dive trip ruined by the headache of losing a rig.

I'd be out about $5k if I dropped my rig. I'd get over it, and I wouldn't let it ruin my dive trip. If you can't afford to lose it, you can't afford it. Like a $100 tie: if you have to flip it over your shoulder to eat, get a cheaper tie.

Things shouldn't "get crazy" entering or leaving the water, and if they do, losing your camera rig is one of the better possible outcomes. When boarding a boat in heavy seas, for example, I can imagine scenarios where that wrist lanyard becomes a real liability to your safety. My rig does have a tether on it that allows me to clip it to my shoulder D-ring, but generally I just hold it. If I need an extra hand to clear as I head down an anchor line in current I will clip it on.

I find a slightly negative camera more comfortable to handle underwater, but others may differ. As mentioned above, you can just as easily lose a camera that floats to the top as one that sinks to the bottom. Most would agree that close to neutral is a good idea--it won't float or sink too fast if you do lose your grip and you can probably catch it.