You know how it is, when you are in an uncomfortable position and try to move your legs around your tripod and bump your SLR down into the river, or when you are taking photographs and all the sudden you are surrounded by cold water and you can’t see through the viewfinder? Or may be that’s just me…

I have to say, I am not the world’s most coordinated being. I mean, it’s not my fault. I had a late growth spurt and my brain just never quite got a hold of my final coordinates (c’mon, what do you expect when you gain two feet in as many years!). So it’s not all that surprising, to me at least, that I get into some strange accidents. You add to that the fact that I am somewhat careless, even foolhardy with my gear, and it would not come as a shock to you that out of the three cameras I have owned so far, two have made it close to the bottom of the river. The only reason the third hasn’t is that I have just had it for a few weeks, so there is still hope!

Where is he going with this, you may be wondering…Well, what I haven’t mentioned so far is that while neither camera asked for additional swim time, both have survived and have been working perfectly. One was an entry level Nikon D70s, the other a weather sealed, professional D200 body. This means that I had to do some at extensive research in the “save the camera from drowning” business and have gained significant experience!

Before I go on to the  step-by-step protocol to save your camera from near fatal drowning, I have a few disclaimers: a) this should not be construed as an encouragement to drown your camera, b) this does not guarantee your camera will work again, c) if it’s salt water, sorry, I can’t help, d) I am not responsible for any damage that your camera may incur if you follow this protocol, do it at your own risk (does it show I’ve been hanging around way to many lawyers lately?).

Usually, the question I get after all this (and after “do you ever shut up?”), is : ” Younes, how did you save your camera?” (said with a clear tone of fake concern and interest):

1- as soon as you get out of the river (you kind of have to be alive for the following steps), turn off the camera, take out the battery and the memory card;

2- if you have any dry piece of cloth/clothing try and dry as much of the exterior as possible;

3- open every door, latch, seal on the camera to let as much air as possible;

4- UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE be tempted to put the battery back in and turn the camera on;

5- I know the following step sounds insane, but really it does work: preheat your over to about 75-100 deg F;

6- put the camera in the oven, DO NOT CLOSE the oven door (you can do this procedure for the lens as well, professional grade, sealed lenses can also survive – my macro lens can attest to this-);

7- “bake” the camera for at least 7-8 hours, preferably 24h. (honestly I only went for about 8h, I couldn’t trust my oven overnight…but some of my readings indicate to go as long as 48h);

8- Let the camera dry further in a sunny, dry area for at least two more days;

9- if you believe in God, any God really, this is the time where you pray; if you don’t believe, well it might work just the same;

10- there is no 10, but I thought it was nicer than to stop at 9.

If you have read through all of this, many thanks, I certainly hope you never have to go through this, it is not pleasant. If you happen to be in this situation, I certainly hope my advice can be of some use.