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In the world of underwater photography, strobe loss is an unfortunate reality. After investing so much time and money into building our own DIY underwater strobe housings, it can be frustrating to lose one. However, there may be some hope for those who are willing to put in a little extra effort to revive their wet strobe.

While we've heard about electronics being brought back to life after being submerged in water, the process for doing so is not always clear. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to reviving wet electronics, as the recovery process can vary depending on the type of equipment and the extent of the damage.

In our case, we were dealing with a hot shoe flash that had become saturated with water, causing it to malfunction. However, we were determined to try and salvage it. So, we decided to take an unconventional approach and attempt to dry it out using a DIY flash dry oven.

To create our flash dry oven, we used a standard toaster oven and lined it with aluminum foil to protect the interior from the heat. We then placed our wet strobe inside and set the temperature to 100°F. We left it in the oven for several hours, periodically checking on it to ensure that it wasn't overheating.

After several hours, we removed the strobe from the oven and allowed it to cool down. To our surprise, it worked! Our hot shoe flash had been revived and was functioning just as it had before it had gotten wet.

While our method may not be suitable for all types of strobes, it's worth considering if you find yourself in a similar situation. Of course, prevention is always better than cure, so we recommend taking the necessary precautions to avoid this type of damage in the first place.

Always double-check your strobe housing's seals before diving, and rinse your equipment in fresh water as soon as possible after a dive to prevent saltwater corrosion. Furthermore, if you do happen to get your strobe wet, it's best to disconnect the battery and allow it to air dry before attempting to use it again.

In conclusion, while losing a strobe can be frustrating, all hope is not lost. With a little ingenuity, you may be able to revive your wet equipment and get back in the water. Just be sure to take preventative measures to avoid this costly situation in the future.