HMDS (hexamethyldisilazane) may be used to replace the critical point drying step in sample preparation of tardigrades for SEM imaging. Previous procedures required a Critical Point Drying apparatus or machine to achieve the temperature/pressure combination to completely dehydrate a small specimen for SEM work. Now a simple bath in HMDS brings the specimens to the same state of dehydration without special equipment. Results are equal to the previous method.