6 Essential DIVEVOLK Housing Checks for Waterproof & Touchscreen Success

Taking your smartphone underwater with a DIVEVOLK housing like the SeaTouch 4 Max Dive Housing unlocks incredible creative possibilities, thanks largely to our unique full touchscreen capability. But like any precision dive gear, ensuring its integrity before every dive is crucial – both for protecting your valuable phone and ensuring that amazing touchscreen works flawlessly when you need it most.

Spending just a few moments on these essential pre-dive checks can save you from potential heartache and guarantee the best possible experience with your DIVEVOLK gear. Let’s run through the key steps:

1. Protect Your Gear: Never Dive with an Empty Housing

This might seem counterintuitive if you just want to test the housing seal, but never submerge your DIVEVOLK housing without either your phone properly installed OR the included support block combination inside.

Why? The housing’s touchscreen membrane relies on the internal support of your phone (or the dedicated blocks) to withstand external water pressure. Without this internal support, water pressure pushing on the flexible screen can compromise the housing’s structure and seals over time, potentially leading to leaks later.

• For Testing: Use the combination of 3 support blocks provided specifically for pressure testing without your phone.
• For Diving: Always ensure your phone is correctly installed with its specific support blocks.

(Need support blocks or related accessories for your phone model? Find them in our Diving Accessories collection.)

2. Gasket Check: Your First Line of Defense Against Leaks

The main O-ring gasket on your housing’s door is the primary barrier against water intrusion. It needs meticulous attention before every single dive.

Why? Even a single grain of sand, a stray hair, or any tiny piece of debris caught on the gasket or the sealing surface can create a channel for water to enter under pressure.

• Inspect: Carefully remove the main gasket. Visually inspect it for any nicks, cuts, or flattening. Check the groove it sits in and the sealing surface on the housing door for any debris.
• Clean: Gently wipe the gasket and the sealing surfaces with a clean, lint-free cloth. Avoid using sharp objects.
• Lubricate (Sparingly): Apply a very thin, even layer of silicone grease specifically designed for O-rings if needed (refer to your manual). Too much grease can attract debris.
• Replace if Damaged: Never use a damaged gasket. Always have spares on hand. *(Spare kits may be available in Diving Accessories)*

3. Secure the Seal: Fully Tighten Top Cap Bolts / Engage Clamps

Properly closing and sealing the housing is critical. Ensure the bolts on the top cap (or relevant closing mechanism for your model like the side clamps on the SeaTouch 4 Max) are fully and evenly secured.

Why? Uneven pressure or an incomplete seal can compromise waterproof integrity.

• Check Alignment: Ensure the housing halves are correctly aligned before securing.
• Secure Firmly: Tighten bolts firmly or engage clamps fully according to your housing’s instructions, ensuring the seal is snug and the gap between housing parts (if applicable) is evenly closed.

4. For Flawless Fit & Touch: Remove Your Phone’s Screen Protector!

This is a unique and absolutely crucial step for DIVEVOLK housings. You MUST remove any screen protector film or tempered glass from your smartphone before inserting it into the housing.

Why?

• Fitment Issues: The housing is precision-engineered for the exact dimensions of your phone model. An extra screen protector layer makes the phone too thick, making it difficult or impossible to insert correctly and potentially straining the housing.
• Removal Difficulty: Forcing a phone with a protector into the housing often makes it extremely difficult to get out again without risk of damage.
• Touchscreen Malfunction: Most importantly, the extra layer interferes with the direct contact between your phone’s screen and the housing’s sensitive touchscreen membrane. This will likely cause the touchscreen functionality to fail underwater, defeating the primary advantage of the DIVEVOLK system!

Trust the housing’s built-in screen protection during your dive.

5. Correct Support Block Installation is Key

Just as crucial as having support blocks (Point 1) is installing them correctly. Each phone model uses specifically designed blocks, and their orientation matters.

Why?

• Prevents Stuck Phone: Installing blocks in the wrong position or orientation can cause the phone to become wedged or stuck inside the housing.
• Ensures Housing Integrity: The blocks ensure the phone is positioned correctly to support the touchscreen membrane against water pressure. Missing or incorrectly placed blocks compromise this support (as mentioned in Point 1).

Always refer to the setup guide for your specific phone model and ensure the blocks are placed exactly as shown.

*(Need help with setup or looking for guides? Check our Diving Accessories & Support Resources or check out general tips from resources like Underwater Photography Guide’s Housing Section.)*

Conclusion: A Few Moments for Peace of Mind

These simple checks take only moments before each dive but are absolutely vital for protecting your smartphone and ensuring you get the most out of your DIVEVOLK housing’s unique features. By making them a routine part of your pre-dive preparation, you can dive with confidence, knowing your gear is secure and ready to capture amazing underwater moments with full touchscreen control!

For further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team via our website. You can also find helpful information on general dive safety from organizations like PADI’s Scuba Blog.

Happy and Safe Diving!