Having an underwater video camera during Search and Rescue or tactical operations is extremely important. We must say that in recent years technology has evolved so much that high-quality equipment is now available on the market at prices accessible to the general public.
A video camera for professional use must nevertheless stand out for its reliability, the quality of the information provided, and above all, ease of use to allow the operator to carry out their activity without hindrance. There is an increasing need to capture images of critical and unrepeatable situations and scenarios for operational, legal, or training purposes; in such contexts, the geographical position, water temperature, pressure, conductivity, depth, etc. are fundamental. The use of the video camera in Search and Rescue operations in different environments—river, sea, land, or mountain—is truly manifold: - Migrant rescue - Naval accidents - Victim recovery - Air accidents - Flooded areas - Avalanches - Incidental events Therefore, the device must: - Be able to work in extreme conditions without the operator having to worry about setting its functions, for example, the Vaquita operates up to depths of 350m / 1150 feet, that is, 36 atm, and with a temperature range from -10°C to 40°C / from 14°F to 104°F. - Fit in the palm of the hand to be extremely handy and lightweight even when wearing neoprene gloves.
In military tactical settings, the video camera, thanks to the integrated GPS function, is used for target acquisition, coastal patrolling, amphibious operations, as well as in the clearance of war ordnance (DOB). Underwater filming of hulls, from small boats to large vessels, with the return of high-resolution images, allows military and civilian operators to plan and monitor maintenance interventions. The intelligent Auto-DCC (Depth-Controlled Color Correction) present on professional video cameras automatically adjusts the white balance according to the depth of immersion, so as to have vivid colors at every depth and even in murky waters. Attaching the video camera directly to the helmet, although seemingly useful, actually causes problems during activities such as: - Detachment during swimming, entering crevices, or jumping from a helicopter - Impact with floating objects - Interference with other devices useful to the rescuer, such as strobe lights - Etc. For operators working in marine and lake environments, where SaR or military activities also require the use of various rescue equipment, attaching the video camera to the mask, as designed for the Vaquita, not only solves the aforementioned problems but becomes a main requirement to allow constant filming even with a variable angle of 15° compared to the operator's view.
Giuseppe Abbate - CEO